Update: The the market does no longer allow animals due to Council by-laws
Let me tell you a little secret. At the bottom of Harbour Road in Hout Bay, one of the lively markets in Cape Town, there is a market that has something quite unique… a gigantic fireplace! Whilst you warm up your hands and other bodily bits in front of a roaring fire, you can sip on a cup of coffee or a beer from the bar at the Bay Harbour Market. You can watch a band and eat some potjiekos. Or you can wander around and take in all the interesting goods on sale, most of which are handmade or produced locally. In some cases you can watch a trader making an item that is for sale. There is a smell of coffee and baked bread in the air and a happy buzzing of people chatting to one another. It’s how one imagines markets used to be.
I particularly loved the small touches and boundless creative energy (the bar design incorporates a tree and there is a fabulous leopard-print stiletto that forms the door handle for the ladies’ toilet). I found products that I had never seen before and concepts that made me proud to be South African. I found myself saying “Gosh, you are so clever” every five minutes. Everybody was chatty and friendly with some taking the time to tell me the history of their product or share a story about their family. I felt like I was part of a special community. I could’ve had my hair braided and my back massaged. I tasted biltong, Italian ice-cream and home-made soup. I fell in love with a knitted woolen hat in the shape of an owl, drooled over the handmade ornamental birdcages and made a note to buy a locally-made “proudly African” bamboo t-shirt. I listened to a band play whilst having a beer and warmed my hands by the fire. In fact I was having so much fun that I almost stomped my foot like a small child having a tantrum when my friends wanted to leave.
I found the Bay Harbour Market a perfect way to spend a winter’s day and will definitely visit again. I quite fancy popping in one Friday evening and starting my weekend with some reggae and perhaps some gluwein. Would be a great start to any weekend!
Viola the Pig
Look out for a very bright and blinged-up pig called Viola, Queen of the Bay. She has fabulous eyelashes and is quite a celebrity at the market. She welcomes any spare silver or notes which go towards raising funds for HOUT BAY CARES, a community project that works with people in areas of Hout Bay struck by poverty and drug abuse. Viola herself is one of the piggy banks made from recycled materials by Imizamu Yethu residents. So spare a thought , give some change and make a change in someone’s life.
About The Bay Harbour Market
The Bay Harbour Market is housed in an old Sea Harvest factory at the bottom of Harbour Road in the working harbour of Hout Bay. After standing derelict for 6 years with no roof, it took a 2 year labour of love to turn it into the building it is now. It also took a whole lot of creative vision, passion and faith. Many thought it would fail, but when it opened on 2nd July 2011, over 3 000 people poured through the doors. A year later, roughly 6 000 people enjoy the market every day. Anthony Struebel, co-founder of the Bay Harbour Market, says that absolutely everyone is welcome, no matter their class or status. There is a strong belief in community-building and upliftment with each of the 150 traders having been carefully selected. No two products or two food stalls are alike, giving visitors a wide range to choose from.
What to expect at the Bay Harbour Market
There is a lot to see and even more to eat and drink. Browse through bamboo t-shirts, wall art, woolen hats, beaded jewellery, prints, paintings, photographs, frames, home decor and perfumes. You can also get your hair braided, have your face painted and enjoy a back or shoulder massage. When you are feeling peckish, there are burgers, breakfast rolls, wraps, steak rolls, fish and chips, home-made soup, flame roasted lamb ciabattas, spring rolls, potjie, bunny chow, sandwiches, hotdogs, pizzas, quiches, cheesecake, koeksisters and Italian ice cream. If you build up a thirst there’s a bar with plenty of beer on tap, Craft beer from Napier and Darling and cocktails from Naked Drinks. There’s a selection of teas, coffee and hot chocolate too. Take lots of cash if you can, you will regret it if you don’t! There are also bands which add to festive atmosphere. Reggae is generally favoured on Friday evenings, whilst Sunday mornings are jazzy affairs.
Children and pets at The Bay Harbour Market
Children will love it and there is a play area outside (with a teepee!). Small well-behaved dogs are allowed too, but must be on leashes if you can’t carry them.
The Bay Harbour Market hours
The market is open every weekend.
Fridays : 17h00 – 21h00.
Saturday and Sunday : 09h30-16h00.
How to get to The Bay Harbour Market
When you mention “the market in Hout Bay”, most people think of the small trader’s market near Mariner’s Wharf. This is not the case (as we found out!) The Bay Harbour Market is further along the road. Drive towards the harbour on Harbour Road, go past Mariner’s Wharf, keep driving past The Lookout Deck and around the corner. You’ll find it at the end of the road, near Fish On The Rocks. Parking can be difficult, but with the helpful car guards you will find one.
Contact The Bay Harbour Market
Phone 082-570-5997, email [email protected], www.bayharbour.co.za.
Be sure to check out any of the great Hout Bay restaurants.
