Gay cape town bars
Vibrant beach clubs, bars and restaurants – this is gay-friendly Cape Town
BBy day, engage and sunbathe on some of the world’s finest beaches and then when the sun sets, put on your party shoes and enjoy a variety of nightlife experiences. When it comes to welcoming and inclusive destinations no matter your preferences head to Cape Town, rivalling homosexual capitals like London, San Francisco and Sydney.
The Mother Municipality will welcome you and take you in her arms, as she shows off, day and night. Stay in one of the boutique hotels in De Waterkant, well-known for being a gay-friendly area in the heart of the city. By day, relax and soak up the sun on the city’s best beaches. Clifton’s 3rd beach is a favourite and is also the busiest gay-friendly beach where the locals hang out. Or try Sandy Bay, the “de facto gay nude beach”. Camps Bay is another favourite and also suggestions a number of trendy restaurants and bars for lunch or sundowners.
First Impressions: Cape Town’s Gay Scene
I always knew Cape Town was the gayest city on the continent of Africa and the state of South Africa, but I hadn't actually formed any expectations.
Prior to our arrival, my partner forwarded me a calendar exploding with events for Movement month, which happened to overlap perfectly with our reside in Cape Town; our last weekend would even be the Pride march and related parties. We went in with a relatively open mind and would just look how it went.
This post is more about our personal experience with homosexual life in Cape Town. If you want to scheme your trip to Cape Town further, open our Lgbtq+ Cape Town Reference in a novel tab for later!
First Taste of Same-sex attracted Cape Town Nightlife at Pink Candy
Our first taste of gay nightlife was in the establish of a club called Pink Candy, located at the edge of the Central Business District (CBD). It was unfamiliar in every sense, from the over-the-top decorations, to the super camp music, to the cleaners immediately mopping the floor next to you if even a plummet of your slurp fell to the floor while you danced.
The crowd was incredibly sexy, but I noticed a much more reserved quality to the people that I don Cape Town may be a lot smaller than other cities in South Africa, like Johannesburg, but when it comes to male lover 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 right if you head to the touristy bars on Long Street. That being said, when it comes to gay clubs and queer 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 understand where you end up! 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 afield: Café Manhattan is one of the oldest same-sex attracted bars in C Being one of the male lover capitals in the world, Cape Town boasts many gay and gay friendly clubs and bars. CapeTownMagazine.com gives you an overview.
Gay Bars in Cape Town
Café Manhattan Cape Town
Nightlife: Gay & gay friendly bars and clubs in Cape Town
Being one of the gay capitals in the world, Cape Town boasts many gay and lgbtq+ friendly clubs and bars. Cape Town Magazine.com gives you an overview
The Bronx Action Bar (reopened)
The oldest and most famous Gay bar in Cape Town, adorned with Hunky wannabe sailor barmen. Here the music pumps all night long. Unpretentious party atmosphere. Karaoke on Mondays. *Napier, Cape Town*
Cafe Manhattan
This down to earth joint is one of the favourite hangouts amongst gay locals, while Manhattan is definitely not a Gay Only Venue. Keywords: Down to ground, relaxed and friendly. Part of Cape Quarter. Ladies night on the last Thursday of each month. *74 Waterkant Street,Cape Town (+ 27 21 421 6666)*
Bar Code
Cape Town's one and only gay men's leather, rubber, uniform and Jean cruise prevent. Upstairs maze darkrooms, slings, videos and outdoor deck. Strict dress code. * 16 Hudson St, De Waterkant, Cape Town (+27 21 421 530)*
No 89 Woodstock
A laid back retro way