Review of The Twankey Bar in Cape Town

Tequila time at the Twankey Bar. Photo supplied.

Tequila time at the Twankey Bar. Photo supplied.

Published Mar 31, 2017

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The Twankey Bar in the Mother City is a quirky and interesting spot to park off after work for some drinks and a bite to eat.

The bar was revamped and then re-opened in November 2015 but has always been part of the adjacent Taj Hotel.

Twankey is a word that pays homage to British theatre, and the bar is named after pantomime dame Widow Twankey and the cocktails are also inspired by this heritage.

Tequila time at the Twankey Bar. Photo supplied. Along with the make-over of the space came a fresh look at the drinks offering and Mixologist AJ Snetler was brought in to add some spirit behind the bar.

“It’s become a popular spot for pre-dinner drinks and just a chill out place for friends to meet,” says AJ.

Definitely try the Earl’s Lady cocktail which is a blend of Earl Grey tea, Tanqueray No 10, Campari and cranberry juice as well as the Rajah’s Tipple cocktail which has Ron Zacapa 23 gin, litchi, and lemongrass.

AJ prepares a cocktail. Picture by Nathan Adams. There is another advantage to settling in at the Twankey Bar, you can place an order from the grill at Mint at Taj which is just around the corner from the bar.

“We have our own tapas special, but if you want a Mint burger or a beef fillet then sure, you can order it from us and the chefs at Mint will sort it out,” says AJ.

Bar snacks includes masala fried poppadum with onions, chillies, cilantro, yoghurt chutney and marinated olives or feta, peri-peri cashews or a bowl of biltong or Droëwors.

AJ creating a bespoke cocktail at The Twankey Bar. Picture by Bryce Barnard. If you are there with a group of friends there’s loads of options for meals you could share like the fish & chip sliders, bacon poppers, crumbed brie with onion, Thai spiced tray pizza with mushrooms.

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