Must-see nightlife in South Africa

  • Route 62 Brewing Company

    Route 62

    Based in a charming building that was once the town post office, the microbrewery produces four different ales and serves cheese and sausage platters (R60…

  • XaiXai Lounge

    Johannesburg

    Air your grievances loudly and proudly all day long at this left-leaning Mozambican pub that vies with Nuno's next door for the busiest tables on the…

  • Coffee Time

    Cape Town

    This charming kosher cafe is one of the projects for the Astra Centre, which provides sheltered employment for Jewish people with special needs.

  • Flashbacks

    Plettenberg Bay

    A long-established bar in the centre of town with sports on the big screen in the early evening and DJs playing pop and dance tunes later on.

  • Bohemia

    Stellenbosch

    A chilled, student-filled place that also serves lunch – opt for the pizza. There's often live music as well as regular drinks specials.

  • Vinyl

    Knysna

    Knysna's top spot for late-night dancing offers a relaxed vibe and a balcony area for lounging. DJs play when there are no live bands.

  • Mock Turtle

    Hermanus

    A chilled-out bar with good cocktails and DJs most nights. In the early evening it's a great place to enjoy sunset with a beer.

  • Kamili

    Cape Town

    This coffee roasters and cafe has several branches around town including this handily located one on Long St.

  • Tribe 112

    Cape Town

    This cafe branch of the Woodstock-based coffee roasters is set up within a showroom for BMW motorbikes.

  • Nu Bar

    Stellenbosch

    This club has a small dance floor beyond the long bar where DJs pump out dance and house music.

  • King's

    Knysna

    A slightly grungy but popular pub with draught beer and pool tables.

  • Star of the West

    Northern Cape

    The vintage beer ads, worn floorboards and wooden tables at this ‘old time’ hostelry, established in 1870, tell of many raucous nights. Sadly, the pub…

  • Champs Action Bar

    Sunshine Coast

    This watering hole popular with students is much less atmospheric than the bars on New St.

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