Cape Town’s iconic Perseverance Tavern (since 1808) thrives again!

The Perseverance Tavern, affectionately known as Percy’s, is once again going strong.

Trading since 1808, the Cape Town landmark is widely regarded as the oldest tavern in South Africa. Two years after a major turnaround effort began, the iconic pub is open seven days a week and thriving.

Owner Maarten van Doesburgh describes himself as a ‘custodian of a very special property and a very special restaurant with a very special heritage and history’.

That heritage runs deep.

Clearing up the 1808 confusion

While the facade carries the date 1836, the tavern’s origins trace back to 1808.

The 1836 date marks the first tavern liquor licence issued in the Western Cape — granted to Perseverance Tavern. But the building was established, built and trading as a tavern from 1808.

Van Doesburgh is still searching for a copy of that original liquor licence.

“It is the first liquor license ever issued in the Western Cape,” he said.

Historic bar, original walls uncovered

Recent renovations revealed more layers of history.

Original walls made from slate and sandstone, likely sourced from nearby beaches, were uncovered during upgrades. Parts of the structure remain exactly as they were more than two centuries ago.

The bar itself carries its own legacy.

It is made from oak wine barrels linked to the era of Simon van der Stel, adding another layer to the tavern’s heritage story. In effect, parts of the bar predate the 1808 building.

Despite plumbing upgrades and maintenance work, the facade and structure remain true to their original form.

“You walk into that building, and you just know you're in an 1808 built building,” Van Doesburgh said.

The revival of a legendary vine

One of Percy’s most emotional chapters centres on its vine.

The vine, long considered one of the oldest in the Cape and believed to predate the Drostdy vine by about 30 years, had died.

Before any renovation began, Van Doesburgh focused on saving it.

With assistance from vintners in Stellenbosch, the courtyard was dug up, and a new shoot was successfully regenerated from the original stem.

Now in its third year, the revived vine is flourishing again, a powerful symbol of renewal.

From tough times to thriving again

When Van Doesburgh first took over, the tavern was struggling. The kitchen was not yet operational. Even television connections for sports had not been installed.

Today, Perseverance Tavern is fully operational, serving pub food daily, broadcasting sport and preparing to expand breakfast offerings.

The inner-city stretch of Buitenkant Street has also seen renewed cleaning and revitalisation, adding to the area’s resurgence.

Tourists are taking notice.

Van Doesburgh recently hosted visitors from Norway who had placed Percy’s on their bucket list specifically because it is the oldest pub in the country.

“They had a great time,” he said.

A living piece of Cape Town history

For many Capetonians, Percy’s is more than a pub.

It is a place of memories — of music, gatherings and milestones. Musician Kevin du Preez, who began performing there in the 1980s, still plays to packed houses.

In a city where many historic pubs have closed or been rebuilt beyond recognition, Perseverance Tavern retains its original look and feel.

“It is iconic, and we're very proud,” Kevin du Preez said.

More than 200 years after opening its doors, the Perseverance Tavern remains what it has always been: a living, breathing piece of Cape Town’s heritage — revived, reinvigorated and filled once again with passion.

For more information, listen to Van Doesburgh using the audio player below: