Top 10 Bars in Port Elizabeth

Cubana at the Boardwalk Casino Complex on Beach Road is one of the most popular and recognisable bars in Port Elizabeth, combining a vibrant Latin-inspired atmosphere with a cocktail menu that keeps it firmly among the best bars in Port Elizabeth for a lively night out. The venue’s beachfront location makes it a natural starting point for any evening along the Port Elizabeth waterfront, and its signature cocktails — built around rum, tropical flavours and fresh ingredients — draw a loyal crowd of locals and visitors in equal measure. Live music on weekends gives Cubana genuine energy that few other cocktail bars in Port Elizabeth can match, and the warm, sociable atmosphere suits groups, couples and solo visitors alike. Whether you are after a cocktail before dinner or a full evening of entertainment, Cubana consistently earns its place at the top of any list of the best bars port elizabeth has on offer.

Perched at the Royal Port Elizabeth Yacht Club on Beach Road, The Granary is one of the most scenic and relaxed bars in Port Elizabeth, offering uninterrupted sea views across Algoa Bay alongside a drinks selection that makes it a firm favourite for sundowners on a warm Eastern Cape afternoon. The bar menu covers local craft beers, a solid wine list and a range of spirits and cocktails, while the kitchen delivers a reliable food menu built around fresh, local produce. As one of the most atmospheric bars port elizabeth locals and visitors return to season after season, The Granary’s combination of beachfront setting, unhurried pace and welcoming staff makes it a natural second stop on any tour of the best bars in Port Elizabeth. It is particularly well-suited to long, leisurely afternoons that drift naturally into evening.

Graze Restaurant & Bar at Walmer Park is one of Port Elizabeth’s most polished and well-regarded cocktail bars in Port Elizabeth, combining a carefully crafted cocktail list with a full restaurant menu in a stylish, contemporary setting. The cocktail programme leans heavily on locally produced spirits and seasonal ingredients, making Graze a natural destination for those who want their drinks to reflect the character of the Eastern Cape rather than simply replicating standard bar fare. The wine list is well-curated and covers a solid range of South African producers by the glass and bottle, while the food menu is designed around sharing and grazing — making Graze one of the more versatile among the best bars in Port Elizabeth for an evening that combines great drinks with a proper meal. It is widely recommended as one of the top cocktail bars port elizabeth has for a date night or a relaxed Friday evening.

Barney’s Tavern on Humerail Road is one of the most established and well-loved sports bars in Port Elizabeth, drawing a fiercely loyal crowd of rugby fans, football supporters and cricket watchers who have made it their match-day home for years. The multiple screens, reliable draught beer selection and unpretentious pub atmosphere make it a dependable pick among the pubs bars in port elizabeth that locals recommend without hesitation. The food menu covers all the pub classics — burgers, ribs, wings and baskets — and holds up well alongside a cold pint during a long afternoon of live sport. For those looking for an authentic local pub and one of the genuinely best sports bars port elizabeth has, Barney’s Tavern delivers consistently on match days and weekday evenings alike.

The Tap Room in Newton Park earns its place among the best bars in Port Elizabeth by pairing a strong rotating craft beer selection with a genuine sports bar atmosphere that rivals anything else in the suburb. With multiple screens positioned across the venue and a beer list that pulls from local and national craft producers, it has become one of the most talked-about sports bars in Port Elizabeth for those who want their match-day experience to come with a cold, well-chosen pint rather than the same mainstream draught options. The pub food menu covers the essentials — burgers, ribs, nachos and pub platters — and the relaxed neighbourhood setting makes The Tap Room a regular haunt for Newton Park locals and those who travel across the city for a better beer. It is consistently recommended as one of the top bars port elizabeth has for craft beer enthusiasts.

Prohibition Bar in Port Elizabeth’s Central district brings a moody, speakeasy-inspired atmosphere to the city’s cocktail scene, offering a drinks menu built around craft spirits, classic cocktails and original signature serves that put it firmly among the top cocktail bars in Port Elizabeth for those who take their drinks seriously. The bar’s dimly lit, intimate interior is a deliberate nod to the 1920s Prohibition era, and it works well as a setting for an evening centred around well-made cocktails and good conversation. The spirits list is one of the more considered among bars in Port Elizabeth, with a focus on local gin, whisky and rum producers alongside international classics. Prohibition Bar is also known as one of the more welcoming and inclusive venues in the city, making it a comfortable choice for a wide range of guests looking for something a step above the standard bar experience.

Cubicle Bar & Grill on Mangold Street sits comfortably in the middle ground of bars in Port Elizabeth, offering a casual, no-fuss atmosphere where the emphasis is on good grilled food, cold drinks and a relaxed evening with friends. The bar menu spans local beers, a modest cocktail list and spirits, while the grill side of the menu — steaks, ribs, burgers and platters — is the main draw for regulars who return to it as much for the food as the drinks. Sport screens dotted around the venue give Cubicle Bar & Grill some crossover appeal with the sports bars in port elizabeth crowd, and the informal, welcoming atmosphere makes it a natural choice for groups who want a laid-back evening without the energy of a larger venue. It is consistently recommended by locals as one of the more reliable everyday bars port elizabeth has for a casual midweek or weekend outing.

The Tap House in Framesby is one of Port Elizabeth’s dedicated craft beer bars, drawing enthusiasts from across the southern suburbs and beyond with a rotating selection of taps that showcases the best of South Africa’s growing craft beer industry. The relaxed, community-focused atmosphere is part of its appeal — The Tap House feels like a genuine neighbourhood pub rather than a commercial bar, and it is this character that keeps regulars coming back week after week. The pub food menu is straightforward and well-executed, covering the classics that complement a cold craft beer without overcomplicating things. For those who rate their bars in Port Elizabeth primarily by the quality and variety of the beer selection, The Tap House is one of the most rewarding stops on any tour of the best bars port elizabeth has to offer in its southern suburbs.

Mitchell’s Waterfront Brewery at the Boardwalk Casino Complex is one of the most enduring craft beer bars in Port Elizabeth, brewing its own ales and lagers on site and serving them fresh in a relaxed, beachfront setting that makes the most of its location on Beach Road. As one of South Africa’s original microbreweries, Mitchell’s brings genuine heritage to the Port Elizabeth craft beer scene, and the on-site brewing process gives its beer a freshness that sets it apart from the standard offering at most other bars port elizabeth visitors encounter. The pub food menu covers burgers, pizzas, ribs and platters well-suited to an extended afternoon session by the water. For those who want a craft beer experience with the backdrop of Algoa Bay and the convenience of the Boardwalk complex, Mitchell’s Waterfront Brewery is an essential stop among the best bars in Port Elizabeth.

Friendly Stranger on Rink Street in Central Port Elizabeth is one of the city’s most welcoming and inclusive bars in Port Elizabeth, known for its relaxed, open-minded atmosphere and its reputation as one of the more LGBTQ+ friendly venues among the gay bars in port elizabeth community and broader nightlife scene. The bar is a genuinely unpretentious space where cocktails, local beers and spirits are served alongside a DJ programme that brings energy to weekend evenings without overwhelming the bar’s social, conversational character. The drinks menu is straightforward and well-priced, and the small, intimate venue creates a sense of community that keeps regulars coming back. For those looking for inclusive bars port elizabeth has to offer where everyone is genuinely welcome, Friendly Stranger is a natural and comfortable choice among the city’s nightlife options.