The Athletic Club & Social

The atmosphere at Athletic Social is really lovely — cozy, stylish, and a great place to unwind. It’s a little dark inside but it’s not a train smash. Unfortunately, the drinks didn’t quite live up to the setting. The whiskey sour was super watery and not at all what we’re used to; even after sending it back, it still didn’t taste right. The pornstar martini was also pretty average and lacked the rich flavor and balance we expected. On the positive side, the tapas were much better! The octopus was absolutely delicious — tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked as well as wonderfully combined with the dip. The lamb had a great seasoning and paired beautifully with the fresh salad and soft pita. Sadly, the lamb itself was quite chewy, which made it a bit disappointing overall. There’s definitely potential here — the vibe and food have highlights — but the cocktails could use some serious attention.

The best part about Winter in Cape Town, is the Winter Specials. We did the 3 course Winter Special and it was definitely value for money. The hostess gave us a warm welcome and ushered us to a dimly lit table. We each ordered a glass of white wine. Once we received our glass, we were abandoned by our waiter and made to wait forever to put our orders in. We had to eventually flag down another waiter to come and assist. For the starters, I had the Ricotta dumplings. I was expecting something different but nonetheless it was very flavourful and filling. My friend had the Calamari. She did not enjoy it as they were bland and underwhelming. For the main, we both had the lamb. The lamb was as delicious as it looked. I wasn't a fan of the chips on the sides, they could have chosen another side. For dessert, I had the orange almond cake which was okay, it was citrusy. It came with a scoop of ice-cream that complimented the cake very well. My friend went for the chocolate cake and vegan ice-cream, again she was underwhelmed and did not finish her dessert. Overall the dinning experience was underwhelming and left less to be desired. I think this place is better suited for drinks and dancing.

Atmosphere was amazing. Sat outside on the balcony, but was a bit loud due to the road passing past the place. Cocktails were absolutely amazing and the food was good too. Could highly recommend this place to anyone. When I left it became quite busy.

Went to the Athletic for some live jazz on a Thursday. The basement was packed, but everyone was comfortable. The music sounded great and the drink options were plentiful. Great place to go if you really enjoy live performances in an intimate space. The bar on the ground level has a huge selection of drinks as well, but ordering them from the smaller downstairs bar is allowed.

Went here for lunch a couple of days ago. It's an amazing place! Both the interior and exterior are stunning. Staff were friendly and attentive while not overbearing. Make sure to check out all 3 floors and the balcony. It really is a gem.

Went there on Saturday night with a group of friends, and we honestly danced our socks off! The music was excellent, and the DJ absolutely smashed it, great mix, amazing energy, and everyone was on the dance floor all night. It’s a relaxed place, more on the casual side if you’re coming from London- think Chelsea gastropub vibe rather than a high-end London club, but still really good. The atmosphere is friendly, fun, and completely unpretentious. There might’ve been one too many tequila shots, but that just made it even more memorable. ✨ Great music, great crowd, and the perfect spot for a carefree night out in Cape Town.

We received a phenomenal service from our waitress, who looked awfully familiar to me - she is, in fact, the lead vocalist of Lady Felicity and the Trumpets. She was warm and inviting, knew the food and drinks menu well, and was highly efficient. The menu offers a small selection of items. The 4 of us all rated our choices 5*: Grilled Octupus, Aubergine Parmigiana (vegetarian), and beef fillet. Our meals were well presented, and arrived in good time even though the restaurant was extremely busy. Our dishes were packed full of flavor!! Downstairs, the restaurant has an intimate venue where artists perform. I very much enjoyed the ambiance here! Definitely not a recommendation for those who prefer to listen to a light tune playing in the background and the tinker of cutlery at tables.

While one of the bartenders initially had a poor attitude, their service improved as the night went on. I was surprised that they ran out of water, but overall, I had a good time. The atmosphere was safe and vibrant, and the music was excellent.