Once again, the Mother City’s events calendar lights up on International Museum Day, 18 May, with hundreds flocking to the Cape Town CBD to experience Iziko Museums for free. Orchestrated by the International Council of Museums, it’s a day to celebrate our shared histories, cultures, and stories. A site steeped in its own history, Taj Cape Town will be serving up two of its delicious cocktails at discounted prices – the acclaimed The Wales Bones and The Spice Route, from 3pm onwards, at Twanky Bar.
Expand your historical horizons and venture forth to an icon perched proudly in the city’s centre. This is one institution where you can bank on being entertained in opulent, exotic surrounds. Taj Cape Town might not be an actual museum but its history makes it an honorary museum day member.
A short history of Taj Cape Town
The site Taj Cape Town now occupies was once a hospital, built for the Dutch East India Company’s settlement. Demolished in 1786, the land the hospital occupied was subdivided and houses were built, which were later bought by the Board of Executors and the Reserve Bank.
The first of the buildings was the Old Reserve Bank Building – designed by James Morris, and completed in 1932. With architecture inspired by Florence’s Palazzo Pitti, its Paarl Granite facade represented the Reserve Bank’s financial stability. Morris additionally commissioned Ivan Mitford Barberton to sculpt four lions – the badge of the SA Reserve Bank – for each of the front facade’s bronze grilles. The second building was the BOE Building (Temple Chambers), built in 1896 and altered in the 1920s. Twankey Bar now occupies what was the Old Temple Chambers.
The statue of the shepherdess situated above the door to The Twankey Bar was often wrongly assumed to be Britannia – a relic from the Cape’s time as a British colony – and was widely criticised for its clumsy execution, which earned it the mocking nickname of ‘Widow Twankey.’
In a homage to South Africa’s history, the Taj seamlessly blended these famed heritage buildings, fusing old-world enchantment with all the colourful beauty and energy of the East. Careful to retain the original exteriors, the buildings look the same today as they did 100 years ago.
Head to The Twankey Bar to toast Taj Cape Town’s illustrious history with special cocktails devised by mixologist AJ Snetler. Celebrate a modern-day museum where you won’t be swooped on by dinosaurs after dark, but you will get to experience all the grandeur of eons gone by.
Drink to history with these cocktails
The Wales Bones is named after Wale Street, which supposedly received its namesake from the slaying of whales and the blood running down the street, before the land was reclaimed from the sea. Chockful of character and sweet honey citrus notes, it’s a full-bodied blend of Don Julio Reposado, Aperol and medium cream Sherry, stirred together and served on the rocks.
The Spice Route is where all journeys to the Cape began! An exotic blend of Indian flavours with spicy American Bourbon, this special concoction includes Bulliet Frontier Bourbon shaken with pineapple, cardamom and rose, and a dusting of Tonka Bean.
Contemporary Indian Cuisine
The venue’s Bombay Brasserie also treats guests to the finest Indian specialty dining. Here mouth-watering meals are skilfully prepared using traditional ingredients, creating some of the finest Indian cuisine outside of India. All dishes offer a taste of modern fine dining Indian fare. The restaurant is a 42 seater, so book in advance. Online bookings are for Bombay Brasserie only.
To book at Mint, Twankey Bar, Afternoon Tea, or a group booking: +27 [0]21 819 2000, or restaurants.capetown@tajhotels.com Children under 12 must be seated between 6pm and 6.30pm
Click here to view the Bombay Brasserie Dinner Menu
Click here to view the Bombay Brasserie Dessert Menu
Click here to view the Bombay Brasserie Wine List
What: International Museum Day on Thursday, 18 May, 2017
Where: Twankey Bar, Taj Cape Town
Bombay Brasserie: Mon – Sun, 6pm – 11pm
Info: www.tajcapetown.co.za
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