Categories > Guides and Tips
Sip & shake the night away at the best gay clubs in Cape Town!
Cape Town didn’t snatch the crown as South Africa’s “Gay Capital” by sheer accident. I mean, you only have to walk a couple of blocks to see just how many LGBTQ+-friendly cafes, museums, restos, and hangouts the city is serving up.
And when it comes to the safest and most chaotic (in the best way) clubs? Well, let’s just say the glitter, parties, and glittery parties rarely end.
Ah, that’s enough yapping on my end. If you need the most dazzling spaces that prove that, you’ll find the names right here.
Zer021 Social Club
From zoeyblackza
Address: 46 Canterbury St, District Six
Contact Details: +27 71 760 3178
Operating Hours: Thu to Sun – 8 am to 4 pm
Facebook
Ze021 Social Club carries the spirit of the culturally diverse District Six. That means when you rave on here, you’re doing it with a hospitable bunch that’s all for inclusion and creativity.
You can add all-out dancing, necking cocktails, and gobbling pizza to the hub’s best activities, too. I particularly had a blast on the spacious dancefloor, especially with the DJ fueling the crowd with a mixed bag of genres.
What’s more, their events are a melting pot of characters, just like the club itself. Drag shows are especially massive here, though you can’t overlook those belter karaoke nights, football screenings, retro shindigs, and open mic gigs.
Tip: Check out their Insta for announcements of special deals like 2 for 1 cocktails or discounted platters.
Gat Party
From gatparty
Address: Link Rd, Bothasig
Contact Details: +27 81 249 5604
Operating Hours: Sat – 8 pm to 11:30 pm
Website
Around our gang, the running joke is loading up on energy drinks before attending a Gat Party function. Loved for its sokkie-langarm bashes and hip tunes (which are request-based), it’s honestly impossible not to waltz or foxtrot here.
The venue isn’t some back-alley club with a dancefloor for 10 either. Nah, the floor plan is modelled after Minerton’s Theo Marais Hall, so there’s a refined feel to it, and, best of all, it can host up to 200 groovers.
Even the rare few who aren’t into dancing can chill, as the dancefloor is surrounded by tables for 6 to 10 guests. Plus, food vendors typically set up shop, so there’s plenty to munch on.
Tip: There are no rules prohibiting outside bev and bites. You’re free to bring your own!
Cafe Manhattan
From villagedrinkscpt
Address: Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village, 74 Waterkant St, De Waterkant
Contact Details: +27 21 002 8867
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 3 pm to 11 pm
- Fri – 3 pm to 12 am
- Sat – 12 pm to 12 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 11 pm
With so many gay bars shutting down in recent years, the fact that Cafe Manhattan has been running since 1994 says a lot. This Cape Town mainstay is simply attractive to folks who are into safe spaces for recharging and letting loose.
In my opinion, their mouthwatering range of classic cocktails and pub grub staples has something to do with that. You just can’t go wrong with a Margarita matched by a platter of nachos, bobotie spring rolls, or BBQ wings (P.S. I hope they bring ribs back to the menu).
Things get a bit louder the later it gets. What’s sweet is that, beyond dance parties, they host drag shows, comedy nights, watch parties, and even special events for the single-and-ready-to-mingle crowd.
Tip: Shots are usually cheaper on Thursdays, while their specialty burgers are rolled out on Mondays.
Evol
From honeymoanband
Address: 69 Hope St, Cape Town City Centre
Contact Details: +27 82 628 4509
Facebook
As a punk rock kid who’d been to Evol a thousand times, I’d say it’s like Cape Town’s home turf for misfits. Live music is BIG here, with tons of events that mostly draw a young, alternative crowd, though everyone is welcome, as long as you’re not bringing bad vibes.
I love their bites as well, particularly the fluffy and house-made vanilla sponge cake, which is usually the first thing you’d smell upon entering the club. To wash it, they pour inventive cocktails like Cape Town Cooler, a spirit-based drink blended with the city’s local fruits.
Tip: They play various genres. If you’re looking for a specific one, give their Insta or Facebook a look.
Club Tai Pan| Eatery, Bar, Events
From club_tai_pan
Address: 194 Long St, CBD
Contact Details: +27 83 403 0027
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Wed – 12 pm to 2 am
- Thu – 12 pm to 3 am
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 2 am
If you remove its LGBTQ+-friendly label, Club Tai Pan gets tricky to pin down. “Early birds” probably see it as a mellow “balcony brunch spot,” whereas night owls treat it as a vibrant party joint with banging DJ bops and rock anthems.
Well, that’s not an issue for our team, as we’re both. The crew doesn’t mind swinging by early for a Cajun chicken sandwich before returning later on for the holy trinity of booze, pizza (or nachos), and dancing.
We love their themed nights and Pride afterparties as well. They usually come with special deals, like bottomless pizza, as well as bar games such as foosball and beer pong.
Tip: The ladies get 1 complimentary glass of wine every Thursday, while students score discounts on Tuesdays.
The Pink Candy Night Club
From pinkcandynightclub
Address: 120 Strand St, De Waterkant
Contact Details: +27 82 332 9051
Operating Hours: Fri to Sat – 9 am to 4 am
Facebook
Most regulars of The Pink Candy call it one of Cape Town’s top clubs for getting sweaty all night. Can’t argue with that, seeing how jam-packed their colourful dance floor is.
On top of that, this haunt is H-O-T, and we don’t just mean temperature. The last Candy-Man Crush we rocked up to had us dancing with go-go dancers and taking shots from jacked bartenders.
As for the tipple, their cocktails can get too crazy price-wise, but the flavour usually makes up for it, and there are cheaper non-alcoholic pours. One drink worth every cent for me is the vodka-based and berry-forward Candy Crush, ideal for long nights.
Tip: You can enjoy discounted spirits and shooters on Wednesdays.
Shaft Cruise Zone
From shaftcruisezone
Address: 299 Lower Main Rd, Observatory
Contact Details: +27 71 489 5214
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 12 pm to 12 am
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 2 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 12 am
Shaft Cruise Zone, if the name hasn’t given it away, is a no-judgment, gay cruising bar for steamy and carefree gatherings. The way you party here is by entering entertainment facilities, such as a sauna room, sundeck, and a sling, all for lounging and more.
Naturally, booze and music are part of the fun, the former available at the spacious bar. The cool bit is that they also provide secure lockers and impose a “no-creep” rule, which does wonders for your peace of mind.
In addition, an ensuite cabin is on offer for those after a more private escape. Sure, it’s pricier and must be reserved ahead, but unlike most of the rooms here, it’s equipped with a couch, double bunk, TV, and even a bathroom.
Tip: Discounts are given to guests who’ll bring a partner or more (before 6 pm only).
Stargayzers
From stargayzer1
Address: 16 Caxton St, Parow East
Operating Hours: Fri to Sat – 9 am to 4 pm
Website
There’s something intimate about the Stargayzers. If you ask me, it’s the club’s down-to-earth layout, cordial team, affordable booze, and distance from Cape Town’s tourist hotspots.
That said, this no-frills hangout isn’t a stranger to crowded and carnival-like functions. Many go wild for its pop hits that are straight out of the 1980s and 1990s, with a few EDM, house, and R&B jams to spice the playlist up.
Stargayzers’ free-for-all karaoke nights are a proper crowd-pleaser as well. Everybody gets a chance to belt out, and sometimes, the night’s divas walk off with extra cash.
Tip: There are no entry fees from 2 am onwards. Students (only 18+) get cheaper entry fees as well, as long as they bring IDs.
