Top LGBT-Friendly Places in South Africa

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1

Cafe Manhattan rating icon 9.2

74 Waterkant St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8051, South Africa copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 8 of 241
Popularity in Category: 46 of 1104
Popularity Worldwide: 1747 of 29088
LGBT-Friendly Places
Cafes
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Justin March 2, 2025

If you need a quiet moment, head to the back seating area; it’s way more relaxed and perfect for chatting without too much background noise.

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Paul January 9, 2025

Their coffee is fantastic but I suggest getting the daily special instead of the regular menu if you're looking to save some bucks.

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William December 25, 2024

I think visiting on a Thursday night gives you a better vibe; that's when they host fun events and smaller crowds, so it’s easier to mingle

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Dorothy December 15, 2024

I recommend trying their brunch on weekends; it gets packed by 10 AM, so arrive early to grab a good spot.

2

Beefcakes rating icon 7.1

Dely Rd, Hazelwood, Pretoria, South Africa copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 50 of 241
Popularity in Category: 256 of 1104
Popularity Worldwide: 8115 of 29088
LGBT-Friendly Places
Bars
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Anthony April 11, 2025

My advice is to check out their themed nights in advance. I stumbled upon a really fun retro night, but if I had known, I’d have planned my visit better.

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William April 3, 2025

I suggest arriving right before 8 PM to grab a good spot for the drag shows. It gets packed, and you’ll want a front-row seat to enjoy the performances!

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Jason November 13, 2024

I think happy hour from 5 to 7 PM is a great time to visit. You can enjoy cheaper drinks and maybe even taste some of their delicious snacks.

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Matthew October 12, 2024

If you want to save money, I recommend sharing plates. The portions are generous, and sharing allows you to try more dishes without breaking the bank.

3

Ratz Bar rating icon 6.7

9 7th St, Melville, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 60 of 241
Popularity in Category: 288 of 1104
Popularity Worldwide: 9539 of 29088
LGBT-Friendly Places
Bars
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Paul March 14, 2025

I think it’s wise to get there by 10 PM if you want to snag a spot in the outdoor area. It filled up fast, and I missed catching the vibe outside first.

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Richard December 10, 2024

My advice is to check out their theme nights ahead of time! We stumbled in on a karaoke night and had a blast, but I would’ve loved to see some specific performances they have on weekends.

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Elijah November 27, 2024

If you're looking to avoid the crowds, try hitting up Ratz Bar on a Wednesday or Thursday night. It was way less packed, and we could chat easier!

4

Shaft Cruise Zone rating icon 6.2

299 Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 73 of 241
Popularity in Category: 349 of 1104
Popularity Worldwide: 10730 of 29088
LGBT-Friendly Places
Sex-Friendly Places
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George March 9, 2025

My advice is to visit on a Tuesday night. It was less crowded and you can really enjoy the vibe without feeling rushed.

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Lisa February 26, 2025

I recommend checking out social media or local LGBT groups for any special events happening during your visit. I missed a fun drag show because I didn’t look ahead.

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Paul November 6, 2024

One thing I learned the hard way is to bring cash. Some places had issues with card machines, and you don’t wanna miss out on a fun night because of that!

5

The Factory rating icon 5.5

6 6th St, New Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 99 of 241
Popularity in Category: 423 of 1104
Popularity Worldwide: 13014 of 29088
LGBT-Friendly Places
Bars
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Jennifer March 18, 2025

I suggest doing a bit of research on the drink specials. I stumbled upon a great happy hour deal that really helped save some bucks!

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James December 5, 2024

Don’t miss the themed nights! I thought it might be cheesy, but they were actually a blast and attracted a cool crowd. Plan your visit around them!

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Jane November 28, 2024

If you can, try to sit outside. The ambiance is way better, plus you get to people-watch which is always fun. Just be careful of the odd gust of wind!

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Nathan October 17, 2024

Get there around 8 PM for a lively atmosphere. I found the later it got, the more packed it became, but earlier there were more chill vibes to enjoy a drink and chat.

6

Rara's rating icon 4.8

642 Meyer St, Wonderboom South, Pretoria, 0084, South Africa copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 123 of 241
Popularity in Category: 524 of 1104
Popularity Worldwide: 15272 of 29088
LGBT-Friendly Places
Bars
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Joseph February 15, 2025

Be prepared for a fun atmosphere, but it can get a bit loud on weekends. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting mid-week

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Ronald January 9, 2025

I recommend checking their social media for any weekly specials or events; you might score some awesome deals!

7

The Rec Room rating icon 4.5

Shop No 1, Phoenix Centre Malibongwe Drive & Tungsten Drive Union Tiles Complex, Ferndale, Randburg, 2192, South Africa copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 132 of 241
Popularity in Category: 549 of 1104
Popularity Worldwide: 16029 of 29088
LGBT-Friendly Places
Sex-Friendly Places
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Mary February 2, 2025

Don’t forget to bring cash for tips. I learned the hard way that some places prefer it, and it makes the experience smoother with the staff.

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Jack January 1, 2025

I recommend trying out the themed nights; they’re super fun and you'll meet some really friendly people. Just check their schedule ahead of time!

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John December 20, 2024

My advice is to check out the happy hour deals from 5 to 7 PM... You can really save some cash on drinks and snacks before the night gets going

8

The Pink Candy rating icon 4.2

120 Strand St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 138 of 241
Popularity in Category: 501 of 682
Popularity Worldwide: 16927 of 29088
Nightclubs
LGBT-Friendly Places
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Anthony March 19, 2025

Pro tip: get a drink card if you're planning to party hard. You save a bit of cash and won't need to carry cash around for drinks—just load it up once and go!

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Ronald March 11, 2025

My advice is to get there before 10 PM to avoid the long lines at the entrance—it's totally worth the early arrival so you can grab a good spot to dance!

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Lucas January 6, 2025

I recommend using Uber or Bolt to get there instead of driving. Parking can be a hassle, and those ride-shares are pretty affordable, especially when splitting with friends!

9

Zer021 Rooftop rating icon 2.8

160 Sir Lowry Rd, Foreshore, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 168 of 241
Popularity in Category: 767 of 1104
Popularity Worldwide: 21201 of 29088
LGBT-Friendly Places
Bars
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Kevin April 20, 2025

My advice is to check the drink specials online before you go. I found some awesome happy hour deals that saved me money, especially on their signature cocktails.

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Mary November 15, 2024

I suggest arriving around 4 PM to catch the sunset. The views are stunning, and you’ll enjoy a relaxed vibe. It can get busy later, and you don't want to miss those golden hour pics!

10

Stargayzers rating icon 2.5

16 Caxton St, Parow East, Cape Town, 7501, South Africa copy icon
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Popularity in Country: 176 of 241
Popularity in Category: 585 of 682
Popularity Worldwide: 21793 of 29088
Nightclubs
LGBT-Friendly Places
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Jane March 29, 2025

I suggest checking out their social media before you go. They often post special events or discounts for the night. I wish I’d known about a themed party that happened!

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Eric March 7, 2025

My advice is to arrive around 9 PM if you want to grab a good spot. The place fills up fast and finding a seat can be tough later on. Plan to stay a while to enjoy everything!

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