Thank you, Cape Town.
Imagine waking up to one of the seven wonders of nature.
It’s safe to say 2025 sucked in a lot of ways but crossing a bucket list trip off my list? Priceless.
Cape Town Festive Dezemba was the perfect reset to start the year. The city was packed with people from all over with one purpose - to have a good time.
All year I made a point to say “I’m going to Cape Town for NYE.” Being me, nothing was booked, nothing planned (except knowing I was attending one of my favorite events, Jerk x Jollof and a Google Maps list of places I would try to go to) my friends literally didn’t believe I was going. Then November rolled around and the 14 hour flight was booked, an apartment right off of Long Street (their party street, very reminiscent of Bourbon Street in New Orleans) secured and I was ready to hit the ground running.
From the moment I stepped into my apartment and saw my view of Table Mountain I knew this trip would be special. The city felt like a combination places I’ve been; Long Street gave me Bourbon Street, Kloof Street made me feel like I was walking down Abbot Kinney, Sea Point and many areas in the City Center reminded me of back home in Barbados. I didn’t do the tourist thing this time around but I had a blast with friends, old and new, discovering all the nightlife Cape Town had to offer, the parties, the food that was so fresh I wondered how many chemicals are actually pumped into American food and the wine.
I attempted to try different spots as much as possible but, a taurus to the core, I ran back my faves multiple times and took comfort in the familiar, welcoming faces that greeted me at those establishments.
Some standouts:
La Parada, V & A Waterfront (Kloof Street location was also great). They have an incredible pulled beef pasta that was melt in your mouth good.
Villa 47 on Bree Street had some of the freshest seafood I’ve had in forever.
Amber on Bree, pure vibes for an energetic lounge feel.
Enzo - I literally had a ball at this club each night that I went.
Cabo Beach Club - my partying weekend started here with Piano People and I ran it back for Uncle Waffles. Amapiano on the beach should say enough.
Jarryds - everything everyone says about this place on Tiktok is true. The food, the drinks, the service, the vibes…10/10, no notes.
The Nines. The views and the food. A must, also no notes.
Cubana - oddly gave a Vegas vibe but if you’re with a few friends or hungry and want a vibe with music? The Boss barbecue spread and the amapiano in the background will definitely take you there if you want to go there.
As an amapiano and afrobeats lover (IYKYK) this was heaven. There was amapiano playing everywhere, literally the sound of the city - like I opened the door to my balcony at 4am and shook a leg to the sounds of amapiano blasting from the clubs on Long Street. Everywhere you went people sang along, danced and vibed in collective euphoria. I feel like it’s constantly said people aren’t having fun in the club/outside anymore but, in CPT, I often took a second to take in what I was experiencing and no one was just standing around hugging the wall, people were truly enjoying themselves. It was filling.
When it came to the parties and festivals? A time was had. The itinerary was packed…IF I had to rate them (my event production cap is always on):
WAV Festival with Mariah The Scientist (8/10) - the Golden Circle bar was a bit of a disappointment but the vibes were right.
Milk & Cookies with Gunna (7/10) - felt extremely chaotic on entry but the crowd and Gunna were great vibes (also had Golden Circle for this and saw reviews on Tiktok that the sound didn’t travel past the front of the event (yikes)).
Jerk x Jollof (8.5/10) - one thing this party will do is get the music right.
Piano People (8/10) - I truly enjoyed this event even though the VIP area was a bit confusing and under resourced in my opinion.
St Tropez presents: Uncle Waffles (8/10) - We danced. A LOT. I had a great time but like Piano People (and this really might be a Cabo Beach Club issue) the VIP area was a miss.
Between all those events, the clubs and having a ball with my friends, I truly enjoyed my first time on the continent and I’m grateful. I’m making it a priority to return to Cape Town to do all the tourist things and take a trip over to Johannesburg.
If you’ve made it this far…I’ll leave you with what I heard and what I felt.
This trip and this ease was needed.
Thank you, Cape Town.
