ALERT: Use code: FOODBLOG10 to get 10% off General Admission tickets for Cape Town Cocktail Week on Quicket.
Barcadia has always been the kind of spot where people go for a little fun, a little nostalgia and a whole lot of noise, but during Cape Town Cocktail Week it transforms into one of the liveliest music hubs in the City Bowl.
With neon lights, arcade machines, irresistible snacks and two back-to-back live music nights, Barcadia is set to become the unofficial headquarters for anyone who loves food, music and a good throwback moment.
Located on 62 Hout Street, Barcadia blends the energy of a retro arcade with the buzz of a live-music venue.
- Expect buttons clicking, machines chiming, and people shouting excitedly over air hockey scores — all while bands take the stage for the festival’s most nostalgia-filled line-up. Get your wristbands now to join Cape Town Cocktail Week!
The first show lands on Friday, 12 December, with a full-tilt tribute night honouring Sum 41 and Paramore. If early-2000s pop-punk shaped your teenage playlists, this gig will feel like opening a time capsule filled with power chords, angsty choruses and the soundtrack of school-bus mornings. How to Start a Riot and The Sums take the lead, turning Barcadia into a fast-paced, guitar-heavy tribute to everyone’s favourite emo era. And thanks to CT Cocktail Week, entry is free for wristband holders.
On Thursday, 11 December, the spotlight shifts to Indie Rock Xmas, featuring the always-electric Third Time Lucky. They unleash a steady stream of indie-rock anthems from legends like The Killers, Blink-182, Green Day, The Strokes, Foo Fighters and more. The vibe is simple: arrive with your friends, dance harder than planned and remind yourself that you still know all the lyrics you learned at 17.
Across both nights, Barcadia keeps things fun with easy eats, finger foods and plenty of non-alcoholic options for those who prefer something refreshing but festive. Between game breaks and guitar solos, visitors wander to the counters for quick bites, making it a perfect stop for food lovers who want a little entertainment with their snacks.
Whether guests come for the nostalgia, the arcade games, the music, or the electric atmosphere, Barcadia’s CTCW lineup promises two nights of pure, carefree fun — all without needing an excuse to dress up, grow up or behave.
