Stones occupies an upstairs space above Lower Main Road, reached by a narrow staircase that opens onto a sprawling pool hall lined with tables, a shooter bar and a DJ booth. The balcony hangs directly over the street and is one of the better vantage points in Observatory for watching the neighbourhood go by with a drink in hand. The decor leans toward colourful Japanese artwork and the soundtrack toward rock and pop, pulling in a steady crowd of UCT students and Obs regulars.
It's a casual, low-cover venue rather than a destination bar — come to play pool, not for a curated cocktail list. Trading hours run into the early hours most nights, and theme and student nights keep it busy through the week as well as weekends. A long-standing fixture of Lower Main Road nightlife.