Hey Brew,
If Cape Town's energy last week was a ripped-off knob, this week it’s the full system overload. The city is officially in go-mode: beaching, tagging kids, dodging rugby traffic, and side-eyeing shopping bags that have seen more action than a season of Days of Our Lives.
We’ve got a Woolies bag with a secret life, a wristband that’s the only accessory more important than your sunglasses, a stadium about to swallow Green Point whole. Just another week where the Mother City refuses to be boring.
The Lineup:
🗞️ The Headlines – The Woolies bag scandal gets a transparent twist, Identikidz hits the beaches, Rugby Sevens gridlock descends, and Muizenberg construction takes a festive pause.
🧭 What To Do Now – The Ladder on Bree Street: where artist-studio chic meets a seriously good morning.
💎 Hidden Gems – The Blue Café's century-old charm, Florentin's Mediterranean escape, and the iconic Red Sofa Café in Vredehoek.
📅 What’s Happenin’ – From Fri 5 Dec to Thu 11 Dec: Four Tet live at the Castle, sunset discos, Kirstenbosch concerts, Christmas markets, chaotic Shakespeare, and carols by candlelight.
🎯 Topic of the Week – Cape Town's weirdest hobbies: Should we all be doing more strange stuff?
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🗞️ The Headlines
THE WOOLIES BAG: FROM GROCERY BAG TO SCANDAL PROP
Move over, Louis Vuitton. South Africa’s most unexpected flex just had its origin story revealed in a parliamentary hearing, and it’s gloriously unhinged.

A gentleman allegedly used the iconic black Woolies bag to transport bundles of cash, turning a symbol of middle-class virtue into a luxury vault on wheels. The internet, being the beautiful mess it is, exploded. Memes were minted. Jokes were cracked. Louis Vuitton wept quietly in a corner.
Then, in a plot twist smoother than their hummus, Woolies themselves dropped the mic. They’ve quietly launched a new bag.. And it’s white and semi-transparent. Coincidence? A brilliant, cheeky clapback? A statement on financial transparency? We may never know. But suddenly, your undercover cash missions are over. Now everyone can see if you’re carrying avocados or early retirement. Marketing: 1. Scandal: 0. Icon status: forever cemented.
Click Here: To see the bag that broke the internet
IDENTIKIDZ: YOUR CHILD’S FESTIVE SEASON WRISTBAND
As the summer hordes descend on our coastline, the City’s most efficient matchmaking service is back. No, not Tinder. Identikidz. This brilliantly simple wristband system is returning to 15 beaches over 15 peak days, ready to reunite lost kiddos with their panicked parents faster than you can say “where’s the sunscreen?”
Last year, they tagged over 133,000 tiny humans and successfully reunited 302. That’s 302 potential heart attacks turned into relieved hugs. It’s a stark reminder that between the ice cream melts and wave chasing, a crowd is a crowd. So do yourself a favour, swing by the tent, get the band, and then you can actually relax for five minutes. Mostly.
Click Here: To find your nearest beach lifeline
CAPE TOWN STADIUM BRAVES FOR RUGBY SEVENS GRIDLOCK
Buckle up, buttercup. The Rugby World Sevens is in town this weekend, and the Green Point precinct is about to become a glorious, honking, pedestrian-filled bottleneck of fan energy. Major roads (Fritz Sonnenberg, Granger Bay Blvd, etc.) will be fully closed. Your best bet? Public transport. The MyCiTi Stadium shuttle from the Civic Centre is free with your match ticket and runs every 15 minutes.
If you’re stubbornly driving, may the odds be ever in your favour. Parking is a competitive sport, and residential areas are enforcing restrictions. Pro-tip: park at the V&A and join the fan walk. It’s part of the experience. Just remember: no pass-outs between games. Plan your beverage strategy accordingly.
Click Here: For the full traffic survival guide
MUIZENBERG BEACH UPGRADES HIT PAUSE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY
Good news, surf rats and sandcastle architects! The City, in a rare and beautiful moment of festive timing, is hitting pause on the Muizenberg seawall construction chaos. From 19 December to 12 January, the jackhammers will silence, and the cranes will stand down so you can actually enjoy the beach.
Don't expect the full, polished promenade just yet, fenced-off construction zones will remain like sandcastles you’re not allowed to kick. But the essentials are all yours: the beach, the iconic bathing boxes, the showers, and the ablutions are open for business. There's even temporary gravel parking on the western side. The message is clear: they’re giving you a window to play, even while they’re building the future playground.
So get out there, catch a wave, and enjoy the temporary peace treaty between progress and your holiday plans.
Click Here: For the festive access details
🧭 What to Do Now?
This week’s pick from the What To Do Now app is The Ladder.
Tucked away on Bree Street, this spot feels less like a café and more like you’ve wandered into the sun-drenched studio of your coolest artist friends. Founded by artists Nicholas and Anastasia Esterhuizen, the vibe is effortlessly chic, exposed stone, curated art, handmade cups. The breakfast bowls are literal edible art, the halloumi-and-avo croissant brunch is a thing of beauty, and the coffee (from Monarch) is serious business. It’s the perfect spot to feel cultured and well-fed before 9 AM.
It’s where Bree Street sophistication meets a seriously good morning.
💎Stop wondering what to do this week, we already found it for you.
Tap below to get your own free custom itinerary in 20 seconds.
PS: Want to join our What To Do Now app as we expand worldwide? Secure your spot in the database here.
💎 Hidden Gems
THE BLUE CAFÉ (Tamboerskloof)
For 123 years, this neighbourhood cornerstone has been the heart of Tamboerskloof. It’s the definition of a hidden gem—tables spilling onto the pavement, shelves packed with hyper-local garden veggies and preserves. Come for the classic bacon-and-egg breakfast, stay for the legendary homemade pastries. The peanut bombs? Life-changing. It’s authentic, charming, and tastes like community.
Click Here: To taste a century of neighbourhood love!
FLORENTIN (Loop Street)
Step into Florentin for a breakfast that instantly transports you to a chic Mediterranean terrace. The vibe is cosmopolitan, the ceilings are high, and the çilbir (Turkish eggs) or shakshuka will ruin all other egg dishes for you. They’ve just expanded into a lush lunch/brunch menu too—think spiced grilled chicken with labneh or a glorious aubergine melitzana. Finish with a pistachio white-chocolate croissant. You’re welcome.
Click Here: For a Middle Eastern flavour getaway!
RED SOFA CAFÉ (Vredehoek)
The beloved neighbourhood anchor of Vredehoek. No frills, just fantastic vibes, mountain views, and a big red couch begging for a post-breakfast lounge. The menu speaks your language: a "plate o’ bacon," an "effin’ delicious stack" of scrambled eggs, brie and avo, and fresh-pressed juices in every colour. The Deluxe coffee is a double shot as standard, and the attached deli is a treasure trove of ethical groceries. A proper local’s haven.
Click Here: To claim your spot on the famous couch!
📅 What’s Happenin’
✨ Want your event featured in Cape Town Brew? Secure a top spot here
FRIDAY 5th DECEMBER
Rhythm & Recipe – 8-Course Dinner & Live Show
A theatrical dining experience mixing music, storytelling and an 8-course tasting menu.
DNA Café & Eatery | 19:00 (Tickets)
Clifton ZERO: Ecstatic Dance
Barefoot ecstatic dance on Clifton 1st. Zero booze. 100% sunset bliss.
Clifton 1st | 16:00 (Tickets)
Watershed Live at Elgin Railway Market
Iconic SA band inside the Elgin steampunk market.
Elgin Railway Market | 18:00 (Tickets)
SATURDAY 6th DECEMBER
Four Tet (Live)
Global electronic icon performing a rare outdoor Cape Town set. Massive.
Castle of Good Hope | 16:00 (Tickets)
Silent Sunset Disco: For the Oceans
Sunset headphones dance session raising funds for ocean protection.
Sentinel Café | 18:30 (Tickets)
German-Inspired Christmas Market
Pretzels, bratwurst, mulled wine, Christmas decor, the whole Bavarian package.
YES! Exclusive Flowers, Paarden Eiland | 09:00 (More info)
SUNDAY 7th DECEMBER
Kirstenbosch Summer Concert — Francois Van Coke
One of SA’s biggest rock acts under the iconic mountain sunset.
Kirstenbosch Gardens | 17:00 (Tickets)
Sunset Tango at the Waterfront
Social tango outdoors with the harbour breeze and golden-hour views.
V&A Waterfront | 17:00 (Free)
Century City Carols in the Park
Picnic blankets, fairy lights, the huge lake — one of the prettiest CT carol nights.
Ratanga Park | 18:00 (Free)
MONDAY 8th DECEMBER
3rd Inversion – Signing Out (Live Band)
Smooth jazz, soul and fusion inside one of Cape Town’s coziest rooms.
Cafe Roux | 18:00 (Tickets)
Cape Town Private Night Tours (Observatory Special)
Guided stargazing, telescopes, and after-hours access to the historic SAAO.
SAAO Observatory | 20:00 (More info)
Absence and Substance (Exhibition/Performance)
A multidisciplinary showcase exploring memory, identity and place.
Bertha House | 18:30 (More info)
TUESDAY 9th DECEMBER
Mojo Jazzy Tuesdays
Free live jazz + street-food energy.
Mojo Market | 20:00 (Free)
Hugo Lambrechts End-of-Year Concert
Top young musicians closing the year with orchestral + ensemble performances.
Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre | 18:30 (Tickets)
Sarajevo (Baked Shakespeare Edition)
Chaotic, high-energy Shakespeare remix with improv, crowd cues, and absolute mayhem.
The Outlore Base | 19:45 (More info)
WEDNESDAY 10th DECEMBER
Cats (The Musical)
The international classic running at Artscape – one of the biggest shows of the month.
Artscape Theatre | 19:30 (Tickets)
Sounds on the Water
Meditative sound-journey overlooking the water — gongs, bowls, and full midweek reset.
GAIA Centre for Healing | 18:30 (More info)
Gabriela Diamond (Live)
Soul, jazz, and late-night ambience at AC&S — perfect midweek wind-down.
The Athletic Club & Social | 20:00 (Tickets)
Mazula — About Time (Full Band Album Launch)
A special full-band show from Mazula as they debut their latest album.
Café Roux | 18:00 (Tickets)
THURSDAY 11th DECEMBER
Carols by Candlelight
Golden-hour carols with mountain views and picnic vibes at one of CT’s most beautiful estates.
Cape Point Vineyards | 16:30 (More info)
Steenberg Christmas Carols
Carols, picnics and wine country scenery — the classiest carol night in the city.
Tryn, Steenberg | 17:00 (Tickets)
Schalk Bezuidenhout Live
One of SA’s top comics bringing chaotic festive energy to Baxter.
Baxter Theatre | 19:30 (Tickets)
Thando Skwatsha — Live
Soulful, intimate live set from one of CT’s most listened-to voices.
Cape Town Club | 19:00 (Tickets)
🎯Topic of the Week
Cape Town’s Weirdest Hobbies: Should We Be Doing More Strange Stuff?
A spicy thread popped off this week:
What unusual or niche hobbies are Capetonians getting into and should the rest of us follow suit?
From spear-fishing, Hyrox training, community theatre, radio-control planes, and Meshtastic radio networks, to bonsai, paragliding, home-brewing, circus flow arts, 3D printing, and… suspension (yes, with hooks) it turns out this city is PACKED with people doing wildly unexpected things.
So we’re asking:
What should Cape Town try more of?
- 🎣 Adrenaline hobbies — spearfishing, paragliding, triathlon, kayak fishing
- 🎭 Creative & performance — theatre, costume/prop design, music, calligraphy
- 🔧 Maker & nerd crafts — 3D printing, RC planes, bonsai, retro gaming, Meshtastic
- 🔥 Circus & alt-movement — flow arts, fire spinning, acrobatics, juggling
- 😅 None of the above — my only hobby is avoiding people
📊 How Was the Newsletter This Week?
And that’s a wrap on this week’s brew.
See you next Thursday, same chaos, new stories.
☕ Team CPT Brew




