Cape Town’s best cocktail bar on a budget

From free starters to R65 cocktails, here’s how to do fable smartly

Last updated: Thursday, 18 December 2025 

When Capetonians think of cocktails, they go to fable. But too many are sleeping on the food, and don’t realise how easy it is to tailor your night out to your budget. With R65 happy hour cocktails, an R85 smashburger layered with pickles and secret sauce, free date night starters, and 50% off classic cocktails on Wednesdays, you can stop in for one drink or settle in for an evening of shared plates without breaking the bank.

The walls are covered in art by Raoul Goetze from Palm Black Tattoo. Image: fable 

DAILY HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS

The drinks here are inventive masterpieces, daring yet perfectly balanced. And if you prefer something familiar, fable also nails the classics, from espresso martinis to margaritas. 

Classic cocktails start from just R65 at Happy Hour, like the pimm’s cup, moscow mule, and dark n stormy. The old-fashioned and margaritas drop to just R95. 

And you can save on some of their most popular cocktails, too. Like the castle of good hope (Julio Blanco with peach and lemon, topped with fizzy Fanta Grape foam), which is 32% off at R115, and the one that everyone loves with the paintbrush (you stir with a paintbrush dipped in edible glitter and it turns a different colour), also R115.

Happy hour at fable is every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm to 7pm; Fridays and Saturdays from 4.30pm to 7pm; and all day on Sunday.

fable also has mocktails like the cherry bomb and fire lemon. Image: fable

EVEN FOOD HAPPY HOURS 

During happy hour, some of fable’s most popular dishes are on special, making it easy to turn a quick drink with friends into a relaxed dinner with shared plates. 

There’s the double-patty smashburger at R85 (20% off) layered with pickles, onions, melted cheese, and their secret fable sauce. 

Another favourite is the popcorn chicken, which drops to R60 (33% off) during happy hour. Bite-sized pieces of fried chicken are placed in a cocktail shaker, seasoned (choose from sour cream and chives, chilli and lime, or citrus barbeque), then shaken at the table.

Other must-tries include cornflake-crumbed cauli bites tossed in hot honey and soy, hummus with flatbread, and feta-stuffed panko-crusted olives.

At happy hour for a main and drinks you could end with a total of just R150.

A bar for the naturally curious, which is reflected in the food too, like the popcorn chicken. Image: fable

HALF PRICE COCKTAILS & FREE STARTERS   

They also have a date night special on Tuesdays. From 7pm to 10pm, when you get a free welcome drink and starter with your order.

On Wednesdays, women get 50% off all classic cocktails from 7pm to 10pm. The classic menu includes all the drinks you know and love, along with a few lesser-known picks like the penicillin (Glenlivet 12 with ginger, honey, lemon and a hint of peated scotch), and clover club (Tanqueray No. Ten with Cinzano Dry, raspberry and lemon). 

The classics start from R80, which means on Women’s Wednesdays, some come in at just R40.

fable has beers on tap (from R50) and a selection of red and white wines. Image: fable

DISHES WITH A FABLE TWIST

While the cocktails tend to steal the spotlight, the food is well worth lingering for.

Familiar dishes are given a fable twist. Start with pork belly glazed in rooibos kombucha, or the cheeseboard salad with smoked paprika labneh for (despite the name, there’s no cheese involved).

For mains, the chicken served with sweet potato fondant is a favourite. And desserts are playful too, with burnt white chocolate sponge served alongside lime mousse and spiced pineapple, or a tart topped with Japanese lavender cheesecake espuma for R105. 

You can even pair a 3-course meal with classic cocktails from R65 during happy hour, and enjoy the whole evening for under R600. 

Dinner is served daily from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

The chef takes familiar dishes and gives them a unique fable twist. Image: fable

MORE ON FABLE 

fable is open: Tuesday to Thursday, 5pm until late; Friday to Sunday, 4:30pm until late 

Find it: Corner Bree Street and Wale Street, Cape Town City Centre

Book: 066 009 7786 or info@fablecocktailbar.capetown

See more: fable website or @fablecpt on Instagram

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EXPLORE CITY NIGHTLIFE 

For more fabulous drinks see our cocktail guide. 

There’s all sorts of happy hours in Cape Town. 

Find more things to do in 7+ Things to Do This Weekend.

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