Gay clubs in south africa
SSouth Africa has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world: homosexuality is legal; homosexual adoptions were legalised in ; and, only two years later in , gay civil marriages became legal.
Johannesburg epitomises this forward-thinking approach, and although it just lost out by a whisker to Cologne for the Same-sex attracted Games, it hosts The Out in Africa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival held yearly, whilst its annual Joburg Parade March first hit the Joburg streets in , before the current constitution came into force.
Today, the Joburg Pride event has grown into Africa’s oldest and biggest celebration of gay and lesbian pride and attracts thousands of people, not only from South Africa but from all over the world. It takes place in Melrose Arch and is a fun, vibrant afternoon out.
Gay and lesbian communities happily live in all of South Africa’s major cities, including Johannesburg, but what you’ll find is that Joburg is an integrated city with little or no discrimination against gay people who frequent most restaurants, bars and clubs. You’ll be welcome most places you go
CCape Town, which was recently recognised by the United Kingdom’s Guardian newspaper as one of the 10 most widespread gay destinations in the world, has many venues to choose from.
Amongst the most popular is Café Manhattan. Recently renovated by the Madame Zingara collective, this iconic eating, meeting and chilling spot is the longest standing venue in the heart of de Waterkant village and has been a strong favourite with locals and tourists alike. The quirky Western décor (including saddle-chairs) and the kind waiters and barmen will ensure you have a pleasant time, every time.
Zer is a quirky bar located in Zonnebloem in Cape Town which often hosts drag performances and DJs. Versatile is another exclude famous for its nightlife. Also in Cape Town, The Social Bar is a spot in De Waterkant Village perfect for sundowners before hitting the clubs.
In Johannesburg, Ratz Bar in Melville is a widespread part of the gay and queer woman nightlife scene. This bar is an old Joburg establishment well-known for entity LGBTQ friendly. Also in Johannesburg, Babyl
LGBTQ+ Travel Guide to South Africa
Interesting Cities to See in South Africa
CAPE TOWN
Cape Town has probably the largest and most diverse LGBTQ+ scene found in South Africa, albeit still small compared to other capital cities. The top concentration of nightlife is found in the Waterkant area. There is a mixture of LGBTQ+ nightlife in Cape Town, from smaller bars, where locals meet for a casual drink, to the two popular dance clubs, Pink Panther and Crew Bar.
Cape Town’s most popular tourist attractions include the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a large shopping and dining venue; the iconic Table Mountain—the top of which can be reached either by hiking or cable car; and the attractive Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
Cape Town also has an annual Pride, which takes place around the end of February. This is a very diverse event, with all subsections of the LGBTQ+ community being very well represented.
JOHANNESBURG
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa, and has a large LGBTQ+ community. While Cape Town takes the crown as the ‘gay-capital&
Cape Town may be a lot smaller than other cities in South Africa, like Johannesburg, but when it comes to same-sex attracted clubs and gay bars, Cape Town is a winner!
You might immediately Google ‘Best Gay Bars in Cape Town’ when you arrive, but what you should also know is that Cape Town as a whole is very gay friendly – something which we found very true during Cape Town Pride.
This means that a lot of bars that aren’t ‘officially gay bars’ in Cape Town will still have a very mixed and diverse crowd. This is especially real if you head to the touristy bars on Long Street.
That being said, when it comes to gay clubs and lgbtq+ bars in Cape Town, you will be pleased to know that there is a good selection of options! Take a look at our up to date list below and let us comprehend where you end up!
Gay Bars in Cape Town
If you are looking for the gay area in Cape Town, the majority of the gay scene is focused around the De Waterkant area. We’ve included addresses for each bar so you can see which fall into this area and which are a little more further afie