The Waiting Room
The Waiting Room sits above a vintage clothing shop at 273 Long Street, accessed through a narrow staircase that opens onto a rooftop bar with views across the City Bowl toward Table Mountain. The space is compact, holding maybe 150 people at capacity, which makes it one of Long Street's more intimate venues. DJs play from a booth in the corner, spinning everything from deep house to disco depending on the night. The drinks menu leans toward craft cocktails and local wines, with a small food offering. Weekend nights pack the space tightly, and the rooftop terrace becomes the main draw in summer when sunset sessions pull a crowd from 5 PM onward.
What to Expect
You climb a narrow staircase past the vintage shop and emerge onto a rooftop that feels like someone's oversized balcony turned into a bar. The views are the first thing you notice. The vibe is conversational until about 10 PM, when the music takes over and the space becomes more of a dance floor. It's tight quarters when full.
Relaxed and creative during early evening, building to a warm dance-floor energy by 11 PM. The rooftop location keeps it from feeling claustrophobic even when packed.
Deep house, nu-disco, afro house, and occasional live DJ sets with vinyl-only nights
Casual to smart casual. Long Street standards apply, which means almost anything clean and intentional works. The crowd tends toward creative dressers.
Couples or small groups who want drinks with a view and music without the mega-club intensity. A solid starting point before heading to larger venues later.
Cash and cards accepted
Price Range
No cover most nights, cocktails ZAR 80-130, beers ZAR 50-70
≈ €4-7 / $4-7
Hours
Tue-Sat 5 PM to 2 AM
Insider Tip
Get there by 5 PM on summer Fridays for a sunset spot on the terrace. The inside bar is faster when the rooftop gets crowded. Cash speeds up your service at peak times.
Full Review
The entrance is easy to miss. A small sign next to the vintage shop below marks the staircase. Once up, you're in a space that balances indoor comfort with outdoor views. The interior room has a low ceiling, exposed brick, and a bar that runs along the back wall. The terrace wraps around two sides and holds about half the venue's capacity.
Drinks are well-made. The bartenders here take cocktails seriously, and the local wine selection is curated rather than generic. A gin and tonic with Cape Town's own Inverroche gin runs about ZAR 90. The craft beer selection rotates and favors local breweries like Devil's Peak and Jack Black.
The DJ programming is the real differentiator. This isn't a venue that plays top 40 or generic club music. The bookers bring in DJs who specialize in deep house, afro house, and nu-disco. Vinyl nights happen monthly and attract a knowledgeable crowd. The sound system is good for the space, not overpowering, which means you can still have a conversation near the edges.
The crowd is noticeably different from Fiction or other Long Street clubs. Slightly older (late 20s to 40s), more local than tourist, and dressed with intention. Weeknight events draw a creative crowd of designers, photographers, and musicians.
The main drawback is size. Once it's full, the terrace gets uncomfortably tight and getting drinks takes patience. Thursday nights are busy but manageable. Friday and Saturday after 11 PM are sardine territory. The venue doesn't take reservations for walk-ins, though some events have guest lists.
The Neighborhood
Located in the heart of Long Street's nightlife strip, surrounded by other bars, restaurants, and the hostels that feed the area's backpacker crowd. The vintage shop below is worth a browse during the day. Clarke's Bar and Dining Room next door is a good dinner option before heading upstairs.
Getting There
On Long Street between Pepper and Shortmarket streets. Uber from Sea Point costs ZAR 40-60. From the V&A Waterfront, ZAR 30-50. Look for the vintage shop sign at street level.
Other Venues in Long Street
Fiction
Cape Town's largest nightclub complex occupying a multi-story building on Long Street. Multiple rooms play different genres from EDM to hip-hop.
Tin Roof
Popular live music venue on Long Street known for showcasing local bands, jazz acts, and acoustic performers in an intimate setting.
Cubana
Cuban-themed bar and restaurant with cocktails, cigars, and Latin music. One of Long Street's most established venues with a mixed crowd.
Julep
Speakeasy-style cocktail bar off Long Street. Small, dimly lit, with expert bartenders and a curated menu of classic and original cocktails.