Booze Cruise Trike Tour Cape Town

Cape Town looks best from the road. This six-hour private trike tour pairs coastal scenery with four well-known pubs, from Hout Bay to Kalk Bay and Newlands. I like the open 360-degree views and the personal guiding from Willem, whose local stories add plenty of character. I also like that the tour stays private, so your group is not folded into a busload of strangers.

The main catch is simple: only one beer or glass of wine per person is included, while lunch and extra drinks cost more. You also need to arrange your own ride home or back to your accommodation, since drinking and driving is illegal and dangerous.

Key points before you book

• A six-hour private trike ride begins at 11:00 am from the V&A Waterfront and returns there at the end.
• The route links four named pubs in Hout Bay, Glencairn, Kalk Bay, and Newlands.
• Willem is the guide and driver, praised for local stories, friendly hosting, and a spotless, comfortable trike.
• One beer or glass of wine per person is included, but food and additional drinks are your responsibility.
• The ride offers open 360-degree views, making the trip as much about Cape Town’s coast and scenery as the pub stops.
• Good weather is required, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why a trike is a smart way to see Cape Town

A standard pub crawl keeps you inside vehicles or bars. This one makes the journey part of the outing. The trike gives you open views, fresh air, and a better sense of the road between stops. You are not simply being delivered from one pub to the next.

The reviews describe the trike as comfortable, clean, and eye-catching. People pointed at it during the day, and some stopped for photos. That matters because the vehicle is part of the fun, not just transport.

You also get a private activity for your own group of up to two people. That makes the experience feel more like a personal day out than a scheduled group excursion. Willem’s style appears to be relaxed and sociable, with plenty of conversation, local facts, and old stories from his life in Cape Town.

The open design does have a practical downside. Cape Town weather can change, and the tour requires good conditions. Bring a light layer and be ready for sun or wind. The trip is best for people who enjoy being outside and do not need a sealed, climate-controlled vehicle.

Starting at the V&A Waterfront at 11:00 am

The tour starts at the V&A Waterfront, a useful and familiar meeting point in central Cape Town. The activity begins at 11:00 am, then continues for about six hours.

That start time gives you a full daytime outing rather than a late-night crawl. You see the coast in daylight, reach the pubs around lunchtime and afternoon hours, and finish back at the same meeting point.

The return to the V&A Waterfront is helpful if you are staying nearby or have evening plans in the city. It also means you should think ahead about your next journey. The tour operator strongly recommends arranging transport back to your hotel, guest house, or home after drinking. You should take that advice seriously.

The meeting area is near public transportation, but the tour itself is private. Most people can participate, although the experience is not designed as an ordinary walking pub crawl. You spend much of the day seated on the trike, moving between locations.

Hout Bay and the Workshop pub

The first stop is Hout Bay, where the tour visits the Workshop pub. It is rated as the smallest pub in Africa, which gives the opening stop a playful sense of place.

You get about 30 minutes here, and admission is included as part of the tour. The stop is short, so think of it as a first drink and a quick look rather than a long meal break.

Hout Bay is also important because it begins the scenic side of the tour. The road around this part of Cape Town is one of the reasons the trike works so well. You are not stuck behind tinted windows, and the open seating lets you take in the views as you travel.

The exact food arrangements are clear: lunch is not included, and all food and extra drinks are for your own account. If you are hungry by this point, plan to buy something rather than expecting the included drink to cover a full stop.

The scenic marine drive toward Glencairn

The route includes a marine drive rated as the second most scenic in the world. The description does not name the road, so I would not book this expecting a formal sightseeing commentary at a particular viewpoint. Still, the road itself is a major part of the experience.

This is where the trike’s open seating has its strongest advantage. You can look around as you go instead of watching scenery through a bus window. The 360-degree views were one of the most praised features of the day, and they help explain why this tour is more than a pub transfer service.

You should also keep your expectations realistic. The tour is built around a moving route and short pub visits, not long walks or extended stops at every scenic point. If you want a full coastal sightseeing tour with many photo breaks, this may feel too drink-focused. If you want scenery without giving up a social afternoon, the balance is appealing.

Glencairn Beach and the Hotel Glencairn

The second named stop is Glencairn Beach, where you visit the Hotel Glencairn for a drink or two. The planned stop lasts about 30 minutes.

This adds a beachside setting to the route and breaks up the drive nicely. The pub choices are not generic chain venues. Each stop has a local identity, and Glencairn gives you a different atmosphere from the tiny Workshop pub in Hout Bay.

The wording drink or two is worth reading carefully. One beer or glass of wine per person is included in the overall price, not one included drink at every stop. Any additional drinks are your responsibility.

Because the tour lasts six hours, pacing matters. You do not need to treat every stop as a drinking contest. A slower approach lets you enjoy the views, hear the guide, and remain comfortable on the ride. The safety warning about alcohol is not a formality. Plan your return transport before you start.

Kalk Bay Harbour and the Brass Bell

The third stop is Kalk Bay Harbour, home to the Brass Bell, described as one of Cape Town’s iconic pubs. The stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Kalk Bay is a strong match for this kind of outing. The harbour setting gives the day a clear coastal character, while the Brass Bell provides a pub with a well-known local name. You get another chance to pause, order a drink, and enjoy the setting before returning to the trike.

The short time limit keeps the day moving, but it also means you should not expect a long sit-down meal here. Food is available at your own cost, yet lunch is not part of the package. If eating is important to you, ask about timing when you book or be prepared to purchase food during one of the stops.

The route’s appeal is its variety. You begin with the smallest pub in Africa, move through a scenic marine drive, stop near the beach, and then reach a harbour pub. That variety gives the tour more shape than a crawl through four similar bars.

Finishing at Foresters Arms in Newlands

The final stop is Foresters Arms in Newlands Forest, described as Cape Town’s oldest pub. You spend about 30 minutes here before returning to the V&A Waterfront.

Ending at an old pub gives the day a fitting close. By this point, you have crossed several parts of the city and experienced coastal and forest settings from the back of the trike. The final stop is less about ticking off another drink and more about winding down.

The tour description names four main pub stops, but one outing was described as including at least five pubs. That suggests the exact flow may have some flexibility, or that an additional venue can sometimes be included. I would confirm the final stop count if that detail matters to you.

The return journey completes the loop. Since the activity ends back at the starting point, you are not left at an unfamiliar pub or distant suburb.

Willem’s role makes the difference

The guide and driver is Willem, and the strongest praise focuses on him. He is described as easy to talk to, informative, and a fantastic host. His local knowledge includes facts and old war stories, giving the ride a personal feel rather than a scripted tour.

That matters on a six-hour private outing. You spend a lot of time with one person, so personality is as important as the route. Willem appears to be comfortable making conversation without turning the day into a lecture.

The personal connection also seems to be part of the experience. One outing reunited Willem with an old friend he had known for 50 years, which gives you a sense of his warm, people-first style. Another account described him as a host, driver, and new friend by the end of the day.

You should not expect a silent chauffeur. If you prefer a guide who keeps conversation to a minimum, this may not be your ideal format. If you like hearing local stories and chatting as you go, Willem’s approach is a major strength.

What the $265.78 price really covers

The price is $265.78 per private group of up to two people. For two people, that works out to about $132.89 each before extra drinks, food, and transport after the tour.

That is not a cheap pub crawl. But you are paying for roughly six hours, a private guide and driver, the trike, the route between several Cape Town areas, and one included beer or glass of wine per person. The private format is especially important when judging value. You are not splitting the experience with a large group.

The value is strongest if you want a full half-day outing with scenery and conversation. It is weaker if your main aim is simply to visit pubs as cheaply as possible. You could spend less by using ordinary public transport or taxis, but you would lose the open-air ride, the private hosting, and the organized coastal route.

Keep extra costs in mind. Lunch is not included, and all additional food and drinks are your responsibility. Since the tour operator advises arranging transport home, add that cost before making your budget.

Practical advice for a better day

Book this with the weather in mind. The experience requires good weather, and if poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The ride is outdoors, so a clear forecast will improve both comfort and views.

Wear clothing suited to sitting outside for several hours. A light layer is sensible, even if the morning feels warm. The supplied information does not specify storage, seating arrangements, or protective equipment, so ask the operator if you have concerns about luggage or comfort.

Plan your drinking before you start. One included drink is enough to sample the pub stops without making alcohol the whole point of the day. You can buy more, but you should remain within your limits and arrange a safe ride back afterward.

The activity is non-refundable for ordinary cancellations or changes. That makes it important to check your plans before paying. Weather-related cancellation is treated differently, with a new date or full refund offered.

Who will enjoy this trike tour most?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and anyone who wants Cape Town sightseeing with a social twist. It suits you best if you enjoy scenery, conversation, unusual transport, and a few local pubs more than formal museum visits or long guided walks.

It is also a good choice for repeat visitors. One person who had been coming to Cape Town for more than 15 years still found several pubs they had never visited. That is a useful reminder that a local guide can show you a side of the city you might not reach on your own.

The tour may not suit you if you want a late-night crawl, a large party atmosphere, or a food-focused excursion. The start is at 11:00 am, the stops are short, and the tour ends at the original meeting point after about six hours.

The private setup works particularly well for two people. You get the vehicle and guide to yourselves, and you can enjoy the day without trying to keep pace with a larger group.

Should you book the Booze Cruise Trike Tour?

Book it if you want Cape Town scenery, local pubs, and a private guide in one half-day outing. The best reasons are the open trike, the coastal route, the unusual pub choices, and Willem’s warm hosting style.

Skip it if you are seeking a low-cost bar crawl or a night out with heavy drinking. The price is easiest to justify when you value the scenic transport and personal guiding. Also, arrange your ride home before you set off, and treat the included drink as a sample rather than the start of a long drinking session.

FAQ

Where does the Booze Cruise Trike Tour start?

It starts at the V&A Waterfront, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, at 11:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the V&A Waterfront meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to two people.

What drink is included?

One beer or one glass of wine per person is included in the price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch, extra drinks, and all food are for your own account.