Perseverance Tavern Explained

The Perseverance Tavern
Image Alt:	The Perseverance Tavern in March 2020.
Building Type:	Public house
Address:	83 Buitenkant Street Cape Town City Bowl Cape Town 8001
Coordinates:	-33.9305°N 18.4209°W,
Opened Date:	1808 (years old)
Floor Count:	1

The Perseverance Tavern, also known as The Percy or Persies, is a public house established in 1808^[1] by Johannes Blesser in Cape Town.^{[2] [3]} At the time of its temporary closure due to the Covid-19 crisis, it was notable for being the oldest pub in South Africa.^{[2] [3] [4]} It was established during a period when Cape Town was a major port supporting sea going trade between Europe and Asia during which the city was known as "The Tavern of the Seas".^[5] The tavern was owned by Ohlsson’s Breweries for the first half of the 20th century until being sold in 1956.

It closed on 22 July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown and alcohol sales ban.^[6] The tavern was re-opened under new ownership on 26 February 2021 following the easing of COVID-19 lockdown measures.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Perseverance Tavern – The Cape Town Museum . 2020-07-29 . en-ZA.
2. Web site: Williams . Murray . Oldest pub in SA 'The Percy' shuts up shop as lockdown takes its toll . 2020-07-29 . News24 . en.
3. Web site: Cape Town's 212-year-old pub Perseverance is 'calling last rounds' says owner . 2020-07-29 . CapeTalk . en-ZA.
4. Web site: The Explorer's Guide to Gardens in Cape Town . 2020-07-29 . www.capetownmagazine.com . en.
5. Web site: "Tavern of the Seas"? The Cape of Good Hope as an oceanic crossroads during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. 2021-03-03. webdoc.sub.gwdg.de.
6. Web site: Planting . Sasha . 2020-07-22 . BUSINESS MAVERICK: Restaurants and taverns collapse: Hospitality industry desperate to stave off disaster . 2020-07-29 . Daily Maverick . en.
7. Web site: Kohlstock. Aljoscha. The Percy, SA's oldest pub, reopens its doors with new owners after lockdown closure. 2021-03-03. News24. en-US.