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Traditional street market in Hout Bay, South Africa. Photo by Ossewa.

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Bay Harbour Market, Hout Bay

The Bay Harbour Market embodies the creative energy and vibrancy of Cape Town. In an authentic fish factory in a working harbour, the Hout Bay harbour market comes to life. People of all ages and cultures come together to celebrate the distinct South African spirit. Where the hustle and bustle of a bustling market fills the air.

The Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay has a cozy atmosphere. There’s a fireplace and live music, making it ideal for gatherings of friends and families. When combined with the sizzling hot food, the Bay Harbour Market promises a market experience you’ll want to repeat.

At the Bay Harbour Market, visitors can expect a wide variety of food options. Live entertainment, craft beer on tap, cultural curios, organic products, proudly South African clothing items, unique artwork, and an abundance of sweet treats. They are all housed in a shabby-chic, reinvented old factory.

The market, which combines pop-up and semi-permanent stalls and has distinguished itself as a celebration of South African creativity, culture, and is a great place to shop for South African memorabilia and locally made gifts.

1. Paul Rutzen and Anthony Stroebel founded Bay Harbour Market

Wooding carvings lined up for sale on the waterfront of the fishing village of Hout Bay. Photo by Joe Ross.

Anthony Stroebel, co-founder of the Bay Harbour Market, insists that “there’s an energy in the building – whether you believe in that sort of thing or not.” Anthony and his friend Paul Rutzen discovered the now-vibey warehouse as a derelict, abandoned fish factory in Hout Bay’s Hangberg precinct. They knew they had to do something to revitalize the community and pay homage to the spirit of Cape Town.

2. Bay Harbour Market started in 2010

Hout Bay, Crafts Market. Photo by Frans-Banja Mulder.

In July 2010, Anthony Stroebel and Anthony Stroebel opened the doors to 3,000 visitors, creating a one-of-a-kind social shopping and eating experience in a friendly, vibrant, entertaining, and, above all, distinctly South African atmosphere! 

When Anthony and Paul opened the market, they did so with the explicit intention of the market becoming a catalyst for opportunity in the area in the form of job creation, micro-enterprise development, area upgrading, and subsequently elevating the tourism credentials of Hout Bay. Which further supports economic development for all. It has undeniably accomplished all of these things and more since that cold winter day in 2010.

3. Expect entertaining events and live music

Aside from world-class retail, arts and crafts, and food offerings, the market has grown into a major destination in Cape Town for those seeking fun, entertaining events and live music. One can enjoy the wine and gin tastings, drag shows, and open mic nights.

They’ve also partnered with community-based organizations. Such organizations include non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for awareness days such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as well as environmental clean-up projects for the surrounding area. They are actively involved in supporting local Hout Bay charity events such as the Intle Art Youth Project Rainbow Walkway.

4. Hemp products are available in the market

Whoomph is a new apothecary concept for the market. It aims to capitalize on the incredible rise in interest in non-psychoactive Cannabis-based medicinal products. Whoomph has been in the CBD (Cannabinol) industry for many years and is able to sell some of the best CBD (Cannabinol) available in South Africa. The most popular CBD brand in the country. Anthony Cohen and Nikki Petersen run it.

5. Get a massage and body care products in the market

Zuki was once Madiba’s personal masseuse, and he referred to her as “the lady with the magic hands”! Take a break from shopping to enjoy this onsite luxury. A traditional Xhosa massage of the head and neck, neck and shoulders, back, legs and feet, or even the entire body!

Thandi also has a fantastic selection of organic aromatherapy body products, such as candles and oils.

6. Be puzzled by Archie Jakapo

Games & Puzzles. Photo by Helgi Halldórsson.

With his colorful kiddies puzzles and creative, colorful animal artworks, Archie Jakapo caters to both parents and children! His puzzles feature cute and quirky animal shapes, ranging from tortoises and snails to hippos and elephants! His beautiful artworks continue the animal theme, with vibrant paintings of wildlife such as lions, zebras, and elephants.

7. A dance without music

Ley is a multidisciplinary visual artist and performer working in contemporary art. His artworks reflect the reality he has witnessed during his travels throughout various countries, and he draws inspiration from the happiness and amusing scenarios that surround him in everyday life.

Ley does not work directly on canvas, but rather spends a significant amount of time sketching on paper until he achieves the desired result. He uses a variety of mediums, including coffee, acrylic, oil paint, and others, to create beautiful paintings. He infuses his art with positive energy and creative expression. In order to achieve his distinct style, he combines his artworks with calligraphy and employs a theme of human rights and dignity in the majority of his works.

Ley describes his painting experience as a dance without music and something he feels rather than just does.

8. Stone carved designs at Bay Harbour Market

Stone Work Art and Crafts. Photo by Frans-Banja Mulder.

Letter carving is a rare skill in South Africa. Letters in Stone’s Phinias Chiruvu brings his unique stone-carved slate creations to the Bay Harbour Market. At Letters in Stone, you can find words, phrases, letters, pictures, and sculptures that have been artistically carved in slate and stone using a chisel and hammer.

This gifted artist can also create one-of-a-kind stone pendants for jewelry, as well as custom designed stone-carved signs for your home.

9. Purchase some handcrafted items

Table with handcrafted jewelry. Photo by AlejandroLinaresGarcia. Wikimedia Commons

Stone Age features some of the most intricate pieces of art and jewelry, all created by the incredibly creative duo of Takunda and Wycliffe. Stone Age is known for its iron wood sculptures and handcrafted stone pendants. Each pendant has a personal meaning, from the intricately made stone lion pendant that represents courage and bravery to the tortoise that represents wisdom and long life, making careful decisions.

Stone Age also sells genuine shark tooth necklaces as well as “Mamparras” or “Croaking Frogs.” Their products make excellent gifts, with prices ranging from R50 to R350.

10. Bay Harbour Market has a variety of food vendors

Ice cream van. Photo by Ossewa.

Expect to be spoiled for choice when it comes to what to eat and drink. From the taste of Mexican culture to the sea bar and Tao’s Chinese Kitchen. 

Stop by the Boom bar or Za café, which has a team of baristas on hand to make you some coffee while you shop.