Harringtons Cocktail Lounge
The buzzing Harrington street has turned into a little restaurant hub of the Mother City. Situated on the edge of the Inner City, the grungy look might fool you into thinking that the restaurants situated here are below standard. But you will be pleasantly surprised. Read our blog post Harrington Street Restaurants and Cafés for an overview of your choices.
Our spotlight is on the luxurious cocktail lounge, a namesake of the street. Harringtons Cocktail Lounge is part of The Firm hospitality management’s restaurant portfolio. The other venues managed by the group includes District events venue and night club space, (upstairs next door to Harringtons), Surfa Rosa (downstairs next to Harringtons), Aces&Spades, The Village Idiot, Standard Brewing Company, and The Rum Runner Bar.
Big Shoes to Fill
The Firm was created in 2008 by a group of like-minded individuals with the aim to enhance the social landscape of Cape Town. Each space has its own unique flair, while remaining true to the overarching aim of the brand – to create public gathering spaces that facilitate creativity and contemporary interactions.
They do not strive to generate “the next big thing” but instead focus on cultivating a distinctly unique vibe and flavour for each space. The Firm maintains a high level of hospitality excellence at each venue, carefully hand selecting their staff to fit into each brand representation. Yet despite this high level of excellence, they do not see themselves as a cold corporate company. The team works together in an organic system, giving each member the space to add their own personal flair.
The Lounge
Harringtons Cocktail Lounge stands out in stark contrast to its next door sister venue, Surfa Rosa, which made it onto our list of local dive bars to explore in the city. Stepping off the street and climbing up the stairs, you will be pleasantly surprised by the otherworldly opulence and style that meets you at the top. It has a distinct air of sophistication.
The stylish restaurant and boutique bar is perfectly balanced by its laid-back vibe. Slide into one of the lush velvet booths and get ready to soak up the luxurious setting. Look through the wide panoramic windows onto the rough around the edges neighbourhood below, while you feel far removed from it. At Harringtons Cocktail Lounge you can escape the humdrum city life for a moment.
Good Food, Good Drinks, Good Vibe
The lush, inviting décor is complemented perfectly by delectable meals (think tantalising tapas) and extravagant drinks (think craft cocktails). During the early evening, you can book a booth for a relaxing sit-down meal. But get ready to party it up later in the evening, when the boutique DJ booth jumps into action, pumping up the volume to party mode. Every Thursday you can pop in to experience some of the best local music acts. These range from hip hop, soulful house, to funk disco, as well as live jazz. Fridays and Saturdays you can enjoy the cool tunes from the resident DJ’s, with free entry before 10PM.
Exquisite attention has been paid to the décor. The velvet-covered booths merge perfectly with the wooden floor. Overhead stylish chandeliers top off the opulence, and scattered on the walls you will find old black-and-white pictures of Cape Town, Baroque-style paintings, and framed botanical sketches.
Extravagance at an Affordable Price
Every Wednesday night, Harringtons hosts a wine tasting event. For R170 you can enjoy an aperitivo glass of wine upon arrival, a meal from the Large Plates Menu accompanied by a glass of wine, and petit four dessert. After tasting the wines of the featured wine estate, you can choose the wine you prefer to accompany your main meal.
But if you don’t feel like a big meal, you can join just the wine tasting for R50 and nibble on some half price tapas until 10 pm. The half-price on selected tapas special is available Wednesdays from 4PM to 10PM, and Thursdays to Saturdays from 4PM to 7PM. And of course the tapas can be spiced up with a drink from the happy hour selection. Selected drinks at great prices available from 4PM to 7PM on Wednesdays to Friday and on Saturdays between 6PM and 7PM.
Visit Harringtons Cocktail Lounge Now
If you love dressing up and visiting a glam venue, then Harringtons is right up your alley! The Firm has outdone themselves with this restaurant concept. It’s definitely a spot you must put on your Mother City restaurant scene to-do list.
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Or visit the Harringtons website. Contact 021 461 2276 or [email protected] for more information.
Harringtons Cocktail Lounge | 61 Harrington Street, Cape Town City Centre
Operating Hours:
Sunday to Tuesday Closed | Wednesday & Thursday 4PM – 12AM | Friday & Saturday 4PM – 4AM