Planet Bar
City Bowl, Cape Town
Bar in Cape Town, South Africa
Book with PearlThe Read
City Bowl Craft Cocktails
Why go
Planet Bar is worth booking when the goal is a polished late drink in central Cape Town rather than a cheap, casual round. Its World's 50 Best Bars recognition gives it a stronger trust signal than many nearby options, but value-seekers should cross-shop Asoka, Publik Wine Bar, Yours Truly before committing the whole night.
About Planet Bar
Planet Bar in Cape Town suits planning around two clear cues: a smart-casual dress code and a World's 50 Best Bars #29 recognition from 2010.
Use Planet Bar when the brief calls for a Cape Town bar with a smart-casual dress code and an awards reference. If the plan depends on budget, timing, or a particular drinks format, confirm those details directly before making it the anchor of the night. For a broader shortlist, compare with Asoka, Publik Wine Bar, The Power & The Glory, Vine & Dandy, or Yours Truly, or use our full Cape Town bars guide to keep the evening flexible.
Choose it for a smart-casual Cape Town bar with an awards signal
The case for Planet Bar is direct: it is a Cape Town bar with a smart-casual dress code and a World's 50 Best Bars #29 listing from 2010. That makes it a useful option when the group wants a smart-casual setting.
For visitors building a broader Cape Town plan, treat Planet Bar as one possible stop rather than a fully defined itinerary on its own. Pair the decision with our full Cape Town restaurants guide if dinner is the anchor, our full Cape Town hotels guide if lodging affects the route, or broader Cape Town planning resources if the bar is only one part of the trip.
Who should choose it, who should cross-shop
Choose Planet Bar if the priority is a Cape Town bar with smart-casual expectations and a clear awards reference. Cross-shop if the group needs pricing, hours, seating, accessibility, or a specific drinks style before committing.
If Planet Bar is not the right fit, compare by practical needs rather than reputation alone. Asoka, Publik Wine Bar, The Power & The Glory, Vine & Dandy, Yours Truly are natural names to check alongside Planet Bar when building a Cape Town bar shortlist.
Located inside
HotelMount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape TownFull hotel guidePlanning details
- Location
- 76 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001
- Website
- belmond.com/hotels/africa/south-africa/cape-town/belmond-mount-nelson-hotel/dining
- Phone
- +27 21 483 1927
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Planet Bar presents a low-key, quietly assured presence in Cape Town's Gardens neighbourhood. The street-level approach and unassuming façade set expectations for restraint: the bar prioritizes what’s in the glass over theatrical design. That focus, combined with back-to-back recognition on the World's 50 Best Bars list in 2009–2010, gives the room an understated authority—familiar to local professionals and appealing to visiting hotel guests. The overall feeling is intimate and refined without ostentation, making Planet Bar feel like a proudly unflashy cornerstone in the city’s drinks scene.
Best For
Planet Bar suits evenings where quality drinks and a calm atmosphere matter more than spectacle. It naturally fits date nights, after-work drinks and small celebrations, drawing a professional local crowd and hotel visitors who appreciate a quieter alternative to the busier tourist strips. Because the bar’s reputation rests on a disciplined cocktail programme rather than loud crowds or a party vibe, it works best for occasions that favor conversation and craft—an elegant, collected stop for thoughtfully composed cocktails.
Ordering Tips
Given the bar’s long-standing focus on its drinks programme, the safest approach is to engage the bartenders and let them steer you toward what they’re showcasing. The copy stresses that the experience is ‘shaped more by what’s in the glass than what’s on the walls,’ so asking for recommendations or the current highlights yields the clearest sense of the bar’s strengths. Treat the team as curators: they can point you to the cocktails and preparations that earned Planet Bar its international recognition.
Venue details
Ambiance
Classic old-school decor with comfy couches, stylish celestial touches, cozy fireplace, and relaxing atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
View
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Hotel Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Pianist
Planning details
Location
76 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001 · Directions
belmond.com/hotels/africa/south-africa/cape-town/belmond-mount-nelson-hotel/dining
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Yours Truly, Notable alternative
- Vine & Dandy, Notable alternative
- Asoka, Notable alternative
- Publik Wine Bar, Notable alternative
- The Power & The Glory, Notable alternative
Bar context
How it compares in Cape Town
Planet Bar is the more polished, recognition-backed choice in this Cape Town set, helped by its World's 50 Best Bars #29 listing in 2010. Choose it when the night calls for a composed room and a stronger trust signal. If value and a looser social feel matter more, Yours Truly and The Power & The Glory are better cross-shops.
For atmosphere, Asoka is the clearer pick for a livelier group night, while Planet Bar makes more sense for a quieter late drink or a more formal meet-up. Publik Wine Bar is the better alternative if the group cares more about wine than cocktails, Vine & Dandy is the one to check when a smaller-format bar feels more useful than a hotel-style setting.
Booking difficulty is the main practical separator. Treat Planet Bar as the harder plan and line up a backup if the timing is fixed. For groups, Asoka is the safer social bet; for a lower-pressure Cape Town drink, Yours Truly or The Power & The Glory should be easier to work into the night.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Planet Bar guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Planet Bar
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Planet Bar | Cape Town | 2010 World's 50 Best Bars · #292009 World's 50 Best Bars · #43 |
| Yours Truly | Cape Town | No published awards |
| Vine & Dandy | Cape Town | No published awards |
| Asoka | Cape Town | 2012 World's 50 Best Bars · #502009 World's 50 Best Bars · #45 |
| Publik Wine Bar | Cape Town | No published awards |
| The Power & The Glory | Cape Town | No published awards |
How Planet Bar Cape Town compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Planet Bar good for groups?
What's the crowd like at Planet Bar?
The main cues are that Planet Bar is in Cape Town, has a smart-casual dress code, was listed as World's 50 Best Bars #29 in 2010.
What is Planet Bar known for?
Planet Bar is known for its Cape Town setting, smart-casual dress code, World's 50 Best Bars #29 recognition from 2010.
