Johannesburg

Johannesburg is Africa’s queer metropolis – creative, loud and self-confident. The continent’s first Pride took place here in 1990, and to this day the city is a magnet for LGBTQ+ people from all over Africa.

Melville & Newtown

Since the cult bar Babylon closed in March 2026, Joburg no longer has a classic gay bar – but it does have a lively mixed scene. On 7th Street in Melville, Ratz, Liquid Blue and Good Omens are just a few steps apart, and the revived Great Dane is just around the corner. If you want to party to electronic music, head to Bad Manors in Newtown. Many queer parties such as EDEN, Queertopia or VNJ’s vogue balls move around the city and are announced on Instagram.

When to go?

• October – Pride of Africa Month & Johannesburg Pride: There are events throughout October, and the Pride March takes place on 31 October 2026.
• Monthly – Queerioke: On the first Friday of the month there’s usually queer karaoke in Melville.

Our favourites

• Ratz – cult pub with heart
• Bad Manors – Afro-tech in queer company

Tours & activities in Johannesburg

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Practical tips

• Safety: Johannesburg has a high crime rate. Don’t walk between neighbourhoods at night, take Uber or Bolt right to the door, don’t display your phone and valuables openly, and only go to Newtown and the city centre by taxi after dark.
• Legally, South Africa is exemplary: same-sex marriage has existed since 2006, and the constitution explicitly protects against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
• Many parties have no fixed address – follow the organisers on Instagram.

Editorially researched, as of October 2026. Please check event dates with the organiser each year.

Places in Johannesburg