Camp crawling through De Waterkant's nightlife

Welcome to Africa's gay capital

De Waterkant is a leafy suburb, often compared with New York's Greenwich Village, and is only a stone’s throw away from the city centre. It boasts a uniquely village atmosphere during the day, but at night, Cape Town's 'gaybourhood' is alive with energy. Hot male torsos, flamboyant drag queens and luscious lesbians emerge for after dark revelry.  De Waterkant is sophisticated lounge culture, sexy house music and the cream of cabaret. It's where the hedonists, the diverse, the multi-cultural and  the multi-sexual come out to play. Welcome to Africa's gay capital.

We at CapeTownMagazine.com took a week-long camp crawl through the cream of Cape Town's pink village, to arm you with enough know-how to dance, sing and drag your way into Cape Town's gay and lesbian crowd.

Friday night:

You start off your weekend at gay village newcomer, Crew Bar. No expense has been spared in hiring Cape Town's hottest bar tenders, who are on display in all their topless, Adonis glory. You grab a cocktail from the bar and hang out on their verandas, spacious dance floor and exclusive VIP area. The bar is crowded with gorgeous girls and boys, dancing to the cream of Cape Town's music (Crew Bar | 30 Napier Street | De Waterkant | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 418 0118).

Saturday night:

You begin your night at popular Latino cafe, Cubana Havana Lounge. Its early evening and you're sat on the outdoor terrace, people watching. You and your friends order from a menu of Cuban, Mediterranean and South American food. You sip on cocktails and observe dazzling flame flaring performances by expert bar tenders. Later on in the evening, a DJ plays sophisticated house and modern pop music in a spacious lounge (Cubana Havana Lounge | 9 Somerset Road | De Waterkant | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 421 1109).

As the night draws on, you head to nightlife's headonistic superclub, Trinity. At this multi-level restaurant and opulent nightclub, you enter the Funktion One Room. Revellers gather as renowned DJs including James Zabielia, Groove Armada and Armin van Burren spin minimalist techno, over a state-of-the-art sound system. Read about our pilgrimage to Trinity (Trinity | 15 Bennett Street | De Waterkant | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 418 0624).
Partygoers be aware that Trinity has recently changed its policy with regards to opening hours. They are no longer open regularly Monday through Saturday. To stay updated about specific events happening visit their website, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 

Sunday night:

You join Lola Lou, her sparkly dresses and her gorgeous drag family at this speak-easy bar in the Pink Village. Odidiva heads up 'Disco Divas' - cabaret bound to have your toes tapping to Ce Ce Peniston's, Finally. Life's not worth a damn until you've been to Bubbles Bar (Bubbles Bar | 125a Waterkant Street | De Waterkant | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 801 0501).


Tuesday night:

Amsterdam Action Bar is the ideal spot for some post-work drinks. There are no rules and this bar does not aim to exclude. As a consequence, you quickly find yourself interacting with others in a comfortable lounge area, with a pool table and a dart board. You later check out their upstairs, cruising area, sporting groovy video screens (Amsterdam Action Bar | 10-12 Cobern Street | De Waterkant | Cape Town | info@amsterdambar.co.za)

Wednesday night:

Laid back Wednesdays are best spent at Cafe Manhattan. You and your partner indulge in sumptuous desserts including; Ru Paul's Delight and Queens Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding, served up by a friendly staff. Then, it's outside to their terrace, to sip on an African Queen cocktail and enjoy live music (Cafe Manhattan | 74 Waterkant Street | De Waterkant | Cape Town |  +27 (0)21 421 6666).

Thursday night:

You spend your Thursday evening at Andrew and Grant Elgin's, 50's inspired burger bar, Beefcakes. Sat amongst the pink flamingos, feather boas and disco balls, you browse the menu for naughty chilli poppers and Buffy the Hamburger Slayer. You're entertained by gorgeous, happy waiters and fabulous cabaret from Odidiva. You finish your night off at downstairs bar, Smoke and Mirrors (Beefcakes Burger Bar | 40 Somerset Road | De Waterkant | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 425 9019). Do you like Carousel Horses, read our Beefcakes feature, and you'll find out why we asked.

Cape Town is alive with nightlife possibility, once the sun has set. Be sure to read our overviews of Nightlife in Camps Bay, Nightlife in Green Point/Mouille Point Nightlife in Woodstock and Observatory, Nightlife in the Southern Suburbs, Nightlife in the Northern Suburbs and Nightlife in the City Centre.

Be sure to read our overview of the 10 top nightlife venues in Cape Town.

By Lisa Nevitt