Hey {{first_name | Brew}} ,
Midweek slump? We’ve got your adrenaline shot: vintage cars screaming up hills, airport dreams taking flight, and a bar where Pac-Man pays you. Let’s chaos.
Also, we just dropped something new on capetownbrew.co.za: a free “What To Do Now” app that shows you last-minute plans and lowkey events across Cape Town.
Built for the spontaneous. No influencers. No fluff. Takes a minute to get your day planned. Still in beta so expect some issues for a while.
Quick one before we dive in 👇
Would you test out our new “What To Do” app?
Now lets get into it:
🗞️ News – Vintage car chaos, Cape Town’s airport dreams, and the city’s transport tantrum
💎 Hidden Gems – Free arcade games, BOGO food hacks, and budget sunset cocktails that slap
🎉 What’s Happenin’ – Your July 25–31 guide: wine fests, jazz under sharks, guided hikes, and Christmas… in July
🤔 Topic of the Week – Survive to the end of the newsletter to discuss Cape Town traffic without losing your will to live
Let’s dive in:
🗞️ The Headlines
🏁 SPEED DEMONS: HILLCLIMB IS BACK (AFTER 60 YEARSNAPPING)
Philip Kgosana Drive’s ’bout to sound like a Metallica con.
Why we’re revved:
1912 throwback: Racing on Kloof Road before your ouma was born.
Co-founder’s mic drop: “We’re not just petrolheads—we’re history nerds with torque.”
The deets: Classic cars (Oct 25) vs. modern beasts (Oct 26). + food trucks > pit stops.
✈️ CPT AIRPORT 2.0: ONE STEP CLOSER TO TAKING OFF
Finally, an airport that won’t make you miss your own funeral.
The runway gossip:
Location: Joostenberg farmlands (read: wine + takeoffs).
The dream: 5 million passengers by 2050. Because 10 million Capetonians need options.
Urban planner’s warning: “Cape Town’s becoming a megacity. Act surprised.”
🚌 CAPE TOWN’S GREAT TRANSPORT TANTRUM
TikToker Gxiya just called our trains “barely functional.” Cue the chaos.
The tea ☕:
Commute horror stories: “Left Stellenbosch at 5:30am for a 9am meeting. Pray for me.”
Defenders fist-bumping: “Northern line rider for 10 years—it’s fine.”
Verdict: Traffic so bad, even Sandton’s laughing.
⚽ STRANDED TEENS, HEROIC AUNTY ENERGY
28 kids stuck in Portugal. Brandon Timmy = Cape Town’s most hated man rn.
The drama:
Plot twist: Academy owner ditches them with no tickets home.
Tracey Lange: Absolute legend. Melisha from Travel Direct = MVP.
Social media verdict: “R50k for this? Jail.”
🔌The Plug
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💎 Hidden Gems
🎮 BARCADIA: FREE ARCADE GAMES + TEQUILA K.O.s
Hout Street’s neon time machine. Mortal Kombat with a Castle Lite? Yes.
The vibe: Wonky joysticks, zero coins needed, strictly 21+.
Tip: Go early. Claim the Street Fighter cab.
→ Hout Street | Tue-Sat, 6pm-2am
🍔 2-FOR-1 FOOD HACKS (BECAUSE ADULTING IS PRICEY)
Rick’s Café: Burgers BOGO Mondays. Shut up and take our Rands.
Lebanese Bakery: Falafel sarmie Tuesday. Extra garlic = personality.
Tortilla Mexican: Wednesday burrito bliss. Pro tip: Mojo Market branch >>
Two4One Obs: Literally everything BOGO. Yes, even the tequila.
❄️ WINTER WARMS: STEAKS + SUNSET COCKTAILS
Tobago’s (Radisson): 3-course menu + cocktail for R465. Waterfront views on a budget.
IRON Steakhouse: R199 for grass-fed flat iron + beef dripping popcorn. Meat sweats = victory.
🌬️ What’s Happenin’
A TASTE OF CHRISTMAS (In July)
Christmas at Cape Grace
📍 Heirloom Restaurant, Cape Grace Hotel
🗓️ 24–27 July 2025
💸 Book via Dineplan
✨ Expect: Classy festive decor by Okasie, elevated dining, and that warm fuzzy feeling
Christmas Food Jam – Salt River
📍 Soute Studio, Salt Orchard Precinct
🗓️ Saturday, 26 July 2025 | 6–9pm
💸 R550pp
🥘 Highlights: Cook up wintery spice-laden dishes, sip mulled wine, and maybe shake up an Aperol masterclass
→ Grab your spot (or whichever ticket site you’re using)
Simonsig Vintage Day (Christmas Edition)
📍 Simonsig Vineyards, Stellenbosch
🗓️ Saturday, 26 July 2025 | 11am–4pm
💸 R395pp
🎶 Vibe check: Vintage wine tasting, festive meal, cellar tours, live music, red dress code
FRIDAY 25TH JULY
Wine & Social at The Athletic Club & Social
Post-work unwind with smooth pours and sexy lighting. Grown-up vibes only.
Jazz Night with Ne-ahtyah
Sax and soul in a French courtyard. A serene night in the city.
Core ConCPT: July Edition
The best local DJs in an industrial groove pit. Deep house all night.
SATURDAY 26TH JULY
Orange Kloof Guided Hike
Secret forest trail with misty mountain vibes. Limited permits, real magic.
Chocolate Cronut Immersion
Learn the secrets of a flaky, fudgy masterpiece. Sweet tooths assemble.
Mojo Market Rum Fest
Tastings, tiki vibes, and toe-tapping tunes.
SUNDAY 27TH JULY
The Mikado – in Concert
A one-off performance of the iconic operetta. Expect comic timing, clever lyrics, and big stage energy.
Dax Butler + Basson Laubscher (Blues Fest)
Two local legends team up for a gritty, blues-heavy Sunday night. Guitars wail, whiskey flows.
Kom Winter Film Fest
Indie flicks meet nature reserve coziness. Bring a blanket.
MONDAY 28TH JULY
Karaoke Mondays @ Mojo
Sing terribly, feel amazing.
The Woven Heart (Art Night)
Weaving, journaling, and female-led connection.
TUESDAY 29TH JULY
Fireside Sessions at Annandale Wines
An acoustic music session inside a working wine cellar. Deep reds, deeper lyrics.
Open-Mic Poetry
Raw emotion and open mics. Snap-worthy moments await.
Ladies Movie Night
Girl gang + guilty pleasure romcom = Tuesday done right.
WEDNESDAY 30TH JULY
DHL WP vs Airlink Pumas
Rugby under the lights at DHL Stadium. Expect big tackles, loud vuvuzelas, and that midweek gees only Cape Town can deliver. Western Province is looking to bounce back — and this clash could get spicy.
After Dark: Aquarium Sessions with Carla Franco
The city's coolest midweek mood: jazz echoing through the tanks, sharks drifting past while you sip wine.
Rob Van Vuuren Live
Comedy genius returns. Loud, fast, unforgettable.
THURSDAY 31ST JULY
Talent Showcase: Strandfontein High
Budding stars take the spotlight. Local talent in action.
South African International Ballet Competition
Top dancers from around the globe compete for glory. Expect tutus and tension.
Mzansi Gin Experience
A one-night tasting experience featuring locally crafted gins, great music, and a premium vibe. Perfect for social butterflies and craft spirit lovers.
🤔 Topic of the Week
What’s your go-to move for surviving Cape Town’s transport chaos?
Between gridlocked roads, ghost-train railway lines, and taxis doing figure 8s on the highway, just getting around the city is its own sport.
How do you handle the madness? Early commutes? Scooter life? Noise-canceling headphones and inner peace?
Reply to this email with your tip or hit the poll below 👇
How do you survive CPT traffic hell?
Got a shot worth sharing?
Hit reply and show us what your lens sees out there.
That’s your week, fully brewed.
If you’re chasing sunsets, dodging traffic, or accidentally stumbling into a wine tasting, we hope this guide helps you wing it better.
If you end up somewhere wild (or just weird), send us a pic.
Catch you in the next issue,
🍺 Team CPT Brew
P.S. Got a sneaky event, underrated spot, or chaotic local tip? Hit reply and spill.
