The House of Machines

Bar · Malay Quarter

The House of Machines

Bar · Malay Quarter

1

84 Shortmarket St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa

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The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by Wrensch Lombard/Courtesy The House of Machines
The House of Machines by Gareth Pon/Courtesy The House of Machines
The House of Machines by Wrensch Lombard/Courtesy The House of Machines
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null
The House of Machines by null

Highlights

Espresso, spirits, light bites, and live music in a retro vibe  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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84 Shortmarket St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa Get directions

thehouseofmachines.com

$$

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84 Shortmarket St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa Get directions

thehouseofmachines.com

$$

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Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

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13 Best Bars in Cape Town

"Prohibition-era bike shop bars don't get better than The House of Machines, and you'll be hooked the moment you arrive at this spot in City Centre. A cheeky "Don’t Be A D*CK" sign on the front glass façade sets the tongue-in-cheek tone; inside, you'll find dim lighting and a carefully assembled mix of design details. Exposed bricks, subway tiles, and wooden beams enhance the overall vibe. There are all types of drinks here, including local craft beers and throwback cocktails. Try the Side Car or the Smoked Old Fashioned, both made with exuberant gusto." - Seth Shezi

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-bars-in-cape-town
View Postcard for The House of Machines

Marie Pride

Google
First Thursday was epic! Great bartenders. Awesome DJ! All round fun and happy vibes. Loved it! Then there is all the great people watching outside for destiny!!

Martin Mansfield

Google
Awesome place! Host is very accommodating …and will show you how to make a great old fashioned!

Tristan Higgins

Google
Place is good for chills and cocktails are good but was very ticked off at the service I received. I went out with my friends. Started off really good. The only cocktail I enjoy is a margarita and this place does not do a salted rim but I had asked for it during my first three cocktails and the lovely bartenders who served me, did it for me. Until I had ordered my fourth margarita and the one bartender had refused to do it. I was quite confused because all the previous bartenders had did it for me but this guy had refused which was quite a dick head move, especially after I had already paid and tipped him. It’s not that inconvenient to salt a rim of a glass and if a customer asks you for it then it’s quite a small act to contribute towards customer service. I then tried to order another with the other bartenders who previously did it for me in the night but then they had suddenly also refused which just showed me that the other guy who refused to do it for me, told them not to do it anymore. Which is going very much out of your way to “prove a point” to a customer ? Just weird. They literally have the sentence “don’t be a dick” plastered huge on their front window. But that was very much a dick move. Just put me off.

Jamie Katz

Google
It's awesome but it's an acquired taste for sure! Its not if you want to just be with your friends in calm and serenity. It's if you want to live up energy and speak nonsense and laugh eith them and then forget it later type of vibe. Very fun, but not for everyone. I like it though.

Melanie N-P

Google
A great place to hang out, especially on first Thursdays. It can get quite crowded but worth a stop. Staff help you keep safe especially as it gets later, which is much appreciated. The hot chocolate definitely needed a little more flavour, next time please 😉

Shannen Cupido

Google
The vibe of the place is absolutely spectacular and the cocktails are amazing usually however my friends and I had a rather odd experience this night. We had ordered margaritas and we asked if they could salt the rim for us. The first few times a bartender done it for us. We then had a different bartender and he refused. This was after we had paid and tipped him. I do feel that for the price that we are paying for a cocktail + tip we should be able to make a simple request as salting the rim of the margarita. This experience left a bitter taste and felt that our experience and service thereafter just was not the same. This is only our second time at this establishment and we are disappointed. We hope management takes this feedback seriously.

Robert Citron

Google
Great place with nice live music. Chill bar and great atmosphere.

Kevin Kelly

Google
Great atmosphere, been numerous times. Well trained staff, who know how to make a cocktail! Would recommend if in the area. Minor negative- On 'open mic' night (Tuesday), the organiser is a bit pedantic, insisting on silence for the artists/performers, which isn't why folk go to bars, but still enjoyable.