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Café Manhattan
Google
(1202) 4.3
Tripadvisor
(348) 3.7
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80
/ 100
GayOut Score
G4.3 🦉3.7
Address
74 Waterkant Street, Cape Town 8051
📞
Phone
+27 21 002 8867
🌐
Website
cafemanhattan.co.za
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About this place Café Manhattan
Café Manhattan opened on Waterkant Street in 1994, and Time Out's 2026 list of the world's greatest queer venues calls it Africa's oldest queer bar. It's a gay-run restaurant and bar with a big dining room serving burgers, grills and comfort food. The bar works as the village's meeting point, and drag shows and markets are on the calendar. Cape Town Pride held its village drinks here in February 2026.
Google lists it as open daily from noon to 23:00, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Prices are moderate, and reviews praise the chatty staff. It's an easy first stop before the clubs on Cobern and Strand Streets.
Upcoming events at Café Manhattan
Opening Hours
Closed
Monday
12:00-23:00
Tuesday
12:00-23:00
Wednesday
12:00-23:00
Thursday
12:00-23:00
Friday
12:00-00:00
Saturday
12:00-00:00
Sunday
12:00-23:00
Features
Gay
Food served
Pub/Tavern
Walk ins welcome
Gay (mostly men)
Drag scene
Chill / Relaxed
Local favorite
Pub
Day venue
Evening venue
Year-round
Insider Tips
Community Reviews
Write a ReviewGoogle Reviews
Verified by Google4.3
★★★★★
1,202 reviews
Based on 1,202 Google reviews.
Cecilia Drotschie
Jun 2026
★★★★★
Love the tapa style food and cocktails are amazing!
Min'enhle Ncube
Jun 2026
★★★★★
Shield Global assets Ltd
Jun 2026
★★★★★
Great place ever
Hannah
Jun 2026
★★★★★
Danie B.
Jun 2026
★★★★★
STOP WATERING DOWN YOUR ALCOHOL!!
Linet Ncube
Jun 2026
★★★★★
The staff there is friendly I was served by Ashley at the bar and Kenny they were so friendly....I enjoyed my time there ..thank you guys if I could I would rate you 10 🌟
Yazid Khan (Yaz)
May 2026
★★★★★
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Suggest an Edit — Café Manhattan
Last updated on 5 November 2026