Cape Town’s best cocktail bar on a budget

From free starters to R85 cocktails, here’s how to do fable smartly

Last updated: Wednesday, 8 April 2026

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 R85 happy hour cocktails, a R90 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 

YIP, THERE’S A FOOD HAPPY HOUR

Happy hour at fable happens daily until 7pm and runs all day on Sunday. 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 R90 (30% off) layered with pickles, onions, melted cheese, and their secret fable sauce. 

Another favourite is the popcorn chicken, which drops to R65 (30% off). 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.

The butternut salad with spiced pear chutney is on the happy hour menu. Image: fable

HAPPY HOUR COCKTAIL 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 R85 during happy hour, like the moscow mule and dark n stormy. The negroni drops to R95, and the old-fashioned and margaritas R115.

And you can save on some of their most popular cocktails, too. Like the one with the handcuffs (Don Julio Blanco with peach and lemon, topped with fizzy Fanta Grape foam), which is 20% off at R135, and the one that everyone loves with the paintbrush (you stir with a paintbrush dipped in edible glitter and it turns a different colour) for R125.

At happy hour for a main and drinks you could end with a total of just R175.

The one with the paintbrush. Image: fable

HALF PRICE COCKTAILS & FREE STARTERS   

They also have a date night special on Tuesdays. From 7pm to 10pm 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 R100, which means on Women’s Wednesdays, some come in at just R50.

On Women’s Wednesdays, some cocktails come in at just R50. Image: fable

DISHES WITH A FABLE TWIST

While the cocktails tend to steal the spotlight, the food is well worth visiting for. It’s made for sharing so expect to mix, match, and try a bit of everything.

Familiar dishes are given a fable twist, like pork belly glazed in rooibos kombucha, calamari with green apple and pico de gallo, and butternut salad with spiced pear chutney.

And of course, there’s laidback food to tuck into after a few drinks, like lamb sliders, chicken wings and pap and chakalaka. Dinner is served daily from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

The food is fun, approachable, and damn good. 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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