United States

Los Angeles 

The Dance Label Championing LA's Female and Non-Binary Community Through Music

Capoeira: Afro-Brazilian Dance of Freedom

Maachew Bentley

New York City 

Enough fog machines to sin continuously for 48 hours.

5$ for a beer and tequila shot during Happy Hour - ideal for a cheap drink in Chinatown to start your evening.

Ummmmm, if you’re invited there, and looking for some wild memories, just go. I’ll leave the rest up to you.

Another restaurant mainstay with a pretty big club room in the back, with two parties usually going on. Prolly get a free drink if you ask when Elvis Guesthouse II is coming (if you know you know).

Relatively new venue with three rooms, much like the infamous Output sans all the rules. Personal favorite, haven’t really swung a miss since I’ve been going, but do go there on a weekend.

Late night dive bar in Chinatown, where the writers go, hit or miss really just a destination for the late night chill, music played on vinyl only.

Summer vibe for the rave, day time for the outdoor backyard breather.

A plot of land on the cusp of GreenPoint / Williamsburg. The Lot has become a home for every artist and local pit stop passerby. Music is playing live from 12 - midnight in a cargo trailer much like your local NTS or Balamii booth, equipped with hammocks, fire pit and outdoor cafe.

As far as I’m concerned, they have the best programming schedule all year long. From book fairs, to immersive installations, to full day raves every Saturday during the Summer. You can’t really lose going here on an off day or when there’s a line round the block.

Maachew Bentley Trippin in New York

Juls

Accra

This became my favourite spot over the Christmas holidays in Accra. I probably went there at least 2-3 times a week during my stay. It's got a really nice vibe. The pork chops are great, and the setting is perfect. The night could go either way; chilled evening with the gang or a proper turn-up. Friday nights are the best!

You can't go to Accra and not go to Bloom bar! It's impossible. Bloom Bar is one of the most popping spots in Accra. The place is always packed, so you always have to book a spot in advance. Service is impeccable and both the food and drink is top-notch. Perfect party vibe with amazing DJs. Special shout to the DJs: iPhone DJ, Bruce and DJ Baylor.

This restaurant was another favourite spot for me over the Christmas holidays. I had an amazing experience. Everyone should try their sirloin steak and butter chunk fries with their special Brasa sauce!

Another favourite spot of mine but chale you must be ready to spend! Mandem - if you want to impress that special lady, this is the place! A premier rooftop venue that overlooks the city. Great entertainment and very chilled. The cocktails are great as well. Try the frozen pineapple mojito.

Front Back is a member-only spot but the vibes are super dope. They may let you in every once in a while. The music is proper! They have some very cool curated events like “Amapiano and Brunch” and a few other events. Sunday is the best evening to go!

Great spot for beach lovers with a view. Very luxurious with a chilled vibe. Again, Sunday's are the best at Sandbox.

Kozo has a very dope restaurant and bar that combines stylish ambience, Asian tropical decor, and Pan Asian cuisine to present a new yet exciting dining and social experience. Great music and excellent food.

Purple Pub is the best local bar in Accra. Their drinks are not for the faint-hearted though. Try the five fingers drink and meet your maker!

The Woods is one of my most favourite spots in Accra. I've had a few parties there myself! The best days are Wednesdays, where they have live events and showcases the new talent in the city!

It's relatively new but has a fantastic setting and some great drinks. I would recommend going on a Thursday!

Exploring Accra's Nightlife with Juls

FiloQ

Genoa

A lounge club on a floating barge in the middle of the city's Old Port.

Climb on the rocks of Nervi, you can go from sunset to sunrise in the historic Bonfim.

The Calata Darsena is a secret and magical place where immersed among the naval tugs The FestivaL Zones Portuaires brings artistic performances every year.

The park of the Villa Croce Contemporary Art Museum overlooks the shipyards of the port of Genoa.

The fishmongers' market at the new Darsena is where you can eat fried fish and listen to DJs playing among the fish stalls during the weekend with "Fish & DJs.

Where To Spot The Perfect Sunset in Genoa with FiloQ

Yu Su

Beijing

I played music until 10am at Wigwam, and it reminded me of the time I did an all night set at The Berkeley Suite in Glasgow. This is a place in between a bar and a club with the perfectly small size and the best crowd. I can’t wait to do an all-night set there for the next visit (think this pretty much sums up how special it is!)

What's better than having a bunny-shaped dessert made with tofu before a fun party with the equaliser crew?

A must-visit - the home to 24 Chinese emperors.

Zhao Dai is a music institution and club that has one of the best and most professional team. Go there if you are in town looking for the most proper but also open-minded clubbing experience.

I have been to Cafe Zarah many times since my first visit to Beijing 5, 6 years ago. Cozy with a big outdoor space, this place serves good coffee and does not feel pretentious.

Great boutique to discover independent Chinese designers.

Record shop + venue, with a very eclectic selections of things for digging.

Found in POSTPOST, 3standardstoppage will serve you a cup of decent flat white, the latest publications by PERIMETERBOOKS, or unique clothing designed and made in China.

Beijing's version of the MOMA in New York City.

Beijing with Yu Su

Paulo Saul 

São Paulo

First things first, my chosen family and I are a walking party. If we are training for the balls or just voguing in the middle of the streets, we for sure bring life to the party. You can find us at the coolest places and at your closest function snatching all the grand prizes.

MARSHA! is a festival that celebrates and empowers trans lives. With its latest online version, it gathered many artists with an extensive line-up of talks about issues and demands of the trans community and many shows and performances by various forms of art.

Way more than just a party: it’s a platform for young black queer artists and a one-of-a-kind experience in São Paulo’s nightlife. If at the end of the night - probably morning already - and you’re not exhausted from dancing, it was not Batekoo.

“Queer music by queer people” - an online radio party featuring the best of Brazilian queer talents in the music scene. Not limited by music genre but open to all forms of expression.

Away from the center of the city, in the middle of the southern outskirts of town, Crash Party is an independent party organized by young queer people living in Capão Redondo. The idea is to showcase new local talents and have fun.

From the east side to the world, Helipa LGBT brings you the best of funk music and Brazilian culture.

Amazing visuals and experimental sounds, Vorlat is a party to discover the new and what is yet to be defined (or not).

A reunion of many different versions of queerness with lots of fashion, beauty and personality. Chernobyl is where the outcasts get together to listen to great underground music and have a great time.

It’s a bar, a restaurant and a tiny dance club. The perfect place to meet your friends, have some amazing drinks and vibe to cool music.

One of the biggest and most popular electronic music events in São Paulo. From the sound to the performances (known to be mesmerising) everything from Mamba represents the essence of São Paulo.

Queer Spaces in São Paulo

HiedraH Club de Baile

Buenos Aires

Although it is a very recognizable tourist place, like la Ciudad Vieja in Montevideo, it preserves the melancholy and mystery of the city. There is an enhancement of the city to combine the most avant-garde art galleries with the riverside museums of typical artists of the area. The most beautiful art district and the charm of the city mixed with the stench of the river are a perfect combo for us.

This is the essence of the city of Buenos Aires itself and its Misa Criolla, the sensitive concept of our identity. It's a mix between Hogwarts and the Parisian amphitheater from "Interview with the Vampire" but with a Sudaka energy. You can watch the milonga dance under the candlelight and enjoy a glass of wine. It opens from Tuesday to Sunday and you will find the most suspiciously friendly characters here.

The best pizzeria in Buenos Aires and one of the obligatory stops when we bring a foreign producer. The ritual of eating a slice of muzza al corte and a deep-fried empanada is unique of Buenos Aires.

Other people would say that the renowned cemetery in Buenos Aires is La Recoleta, but for us the cemetery and La Chacarita neighborhood implies a beautiful universe of popular heritage. The Cemetery was created to house the enormous quantity of corpses resulting from the yellow fever that struck Buenos Aires in 1871 and that brutal energy is felt in its streets. You can visit the niches of Gilda, Gardel, Moura, Favio, Ferrari, and other popular artists of Buenos Aires and get to know the largest necropolis in the city. Also, on the outskirts of the Cemetery you will find a sanctuary of Gauchito Gil, a pagan saint to whom we usually bring offerings or ask for help, and on Saturdays in Parque Los Andes there are some very good fairs to buy trinkets.

It’s the city's largest and most biodiverse green space, in contrast to its location in the fancier area of the City. Also, it has a “hidden” side, in which it is a good spot to practice cruising behind the bushes. On weekends you can also drink a beer and eat a choripan in the carritos parrilleros at the entry and walk through la feria while people dance cumbia in the street. La combi completa!

Parque de La Memoria (Memorial Park) is a scenic landmark and one of the most beautiful historical monuments in the city. It is located facing the Rio de La Plata, the fatal destination of many of the people who disappeared due to the murderous actions of the last military dictatorship. In addition to its strong historical content, it has a very interesting contemporary art center and astonishment monuments. It is a solemn, beautiful and forceful space to be visited on a sunny day.

The Market was inaugurated at the end of the 19th century with the aim of supplying the necessary food to the new wave of European immigrants. The building retains its original internal structure, made up of metal beams, arches and columns with sheet metal and glass roofs. In addition to its architecture, it also preserves a certain charm of old customs and in its corridors, you can buy everything from meat, fish or vegetables to antiques, jewelry and decoration elements. It is also a gastronomic pole to eat regional or international food.

33km from the city of Buenos Aires, Tigre is one of the most important tourist destinations in the province and is the weekend getaway for many Buenos Aires residents. There is the lower Delta of the Paraná River, one of the largest in the world. On its way it drags a large volume of sediment that is deposited forming clay, sand and silt banks that continually grow and give rise to islands. This complex water system, of more than 350 islands that divide the course of the waters, contributes to giving its shape to the landscape, and also shapes the lives of its inhabitants who have the river environment as their main means of communication by boats. It is a unique ecosystem in the world and a great adventure to navigate its waters and spend a weekend in its stilt houses. Super recommended!

It is a crowded place on weekends, but if you can go during the week it is a very nice place for doing sports, rollerblading or cycling, running or simply to sunbathe and enjoy the air of the city smoking a joint.

Buenos Aires with HiedraH Club de Baile

Pyra

Bangkok

Best tsukemen in the country. Also ramen.

Best museum to see Thai contemporary art by local artists.

Use the AIS Super Wifi for the fastest internet in the city. Ask for the password from your AIS user friends.

Pyra's Guide to Bangkok

Vicky Grout

London

Multi-storey bookshop in Soho where I always end up spending way too much money

Amsterdam based streetwear brand Patta’s own London store

Formerly Plan B, Phonox has been the spot for underground dance nights and raves.

An indoor plant shop in Hackney, feels like you’re in the palm house in Kew Gardens.

The best store for photo/art books and magazines

The spot for streetwear and cute homewares.

One of my go-to film labs, and Terry is a sweetheart.

New and vintage records, always manage to find some gems whenever I go in.

Women’s streetwear and trainer store (for tiny feet and tiny garms)

Vicky Grout's London Guide

Ethiopian Records 

Addis Ababa

Order the ye tsom firfir (fasting firfir). It is the best thing and come with friends, you won't be able to finish it on your own.

Their green juice is my personal favourite and the place is filled with artwork, most of it made by ZELALEM MERGA and Tesfahun Kebru.

Come early if you want to get those precious seats inside so you can experience the live music up close.

Anytime you want somewhere that has fresh air, greener around Mexico/ Mekenissa Zoma Musuem is the place, take a book and take time for yourself. Also take your time to explore the entire space.

Found next to Washa Mikael Rock Hewn Church. A walk up the hill with a nice view. Go during the day.

Found in the neighbourhood of Goma Kuteba and in front of the Ministry of Health. Take your time exploring the space.

Inside or out, the national theatre is filled with history.

My current neighbourhood, Kazanchis, where Fendika is situated. Sundays are the best days to work around anywhere in Addis.

I like barber shops, even though I haven't cut my hair in more than 10 years and I only go there for a trim or for my beard, because like anywhere else in the world, the barber shop conversations are lively. I used to go at least twice a month to another called Finfine Hotel Barber’s with my dad, I have very fond memories of that place.

Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Records 

Yuki Matsuda

Tokyo

It's a venue that has one of the best sound systems.

They are open until 3 am and they have the best late night food to take my mind off.

They always have really cool exhibitions and events.

I just love their authentic and very spicy Chinese dishes. Sometimes after doing a gig you just wanna eat spicy food with your mates.

Owned by one of my friends who has a very good taste in music.

It's a second hand book store. They have many great art books.

Tokyo with Yuki Matsuda

PNNY

Bali

Our home for 4 years, you can always guarantee a good night and good pasta at Da Maria.

Intimate club vibes with cocktails, beautiful people and a good music policy.

For the past 4 years its been one of Canggu's institution to night life, and industrial outdoors pizza spot that turns in to a 1000 people rave every Monday!

A new venue for underground sounds from House to Techno. Located amidst the bustling area of Canggu, Neverland offers a refined nightlife experience! A perfect escape for some after-dark drinking with warm and unpretentious ambience.

An audio file concept bar which feels more like a living room, attracting the best Indonesian Disko DJs and local music fanatics. Move on to the party at the world famous beach club bar for afters.

The Best Nightlife in Bali with PNNY

Pablo Nouvelle

Zurich

An Italian enclave at the very end of famous Langstrasse. Paninis in every variety. Everything in this store is a 100% Italian. The ingredients, the amazing antipasti and the songs playing from the radio. How can something so simple be so good.

Zürich might be one of the most decent but surely not the biggest place on earth. If you want to get an overview first put on your fast shoes and head up to Käferbärg, which offers a little escape into the woods and a beautiful view over the city, the lake and the incredible alps. Make sure you set out for the trip in the late afternoon to catch the golden evening sun.

Close to my studio, this little restaurant has become my go to place if I want to treat myself for lunch. Honest meals, affordable and made with love.

Escape the city and climb the little mountain overseeing Zurich. Best to bring your bike and enjoy one of the many single trails and downhill tracks down the 400 meters altitude.

A beautiful bath to dip in the lake with a little beach and a tower out in the water to climb and jump from.

Claudio the soul of Sacci Bar will take care of your needs and make sure you won’t leave town without having tasted the best Negroni or natural wines there is.

Fancy a fancy dinner? Go to Kle. You’ll eat exclusively creations you’ve never experienced before. All vegan.

A small concert venue with one of the best bookings of local and international acts.

Jump from the bridge into the cold waters of the Limmat and drift down to Obere Letten. Have a Margarita at the rooftop of Primitivo Bar whilst watching people and go to a concert in the evening at the near by Parkplatz.

Best see and to be seen place on a Sunday afternoon. Visit the lovely Cafe Bonheur or bring your own and sit around the fountain.

Best cinema in town with the latest independent films and the most charming bar to linger around.

Discover Zürich with Pablo Nouvelle

Marlou Fernanda

Rotterdam

This is where I used to get my hair products when I had long curly hair.

When we’re in the city, we usually pass by to get a Pastechi.

For two years we’ve made it a habit to order pastechi, cheese balls, sate ku batata and other dishes from Curaçao at this specific place for the holidays, especially for New Year's Eve. I know the owners, and normally they’d do the catering whenever my good friend Junelisa had a party, for example. I’ve been waiting for them to open a restaurant ever since. They have the best Caribbean food in town (for me) no doubt!

I used to go to this café/venue/club where they’d have R&B, funk, soul, salsa and bossa-nova nights. I loved seeing so many people from Brazil coming together in Rotterdam to play beautiful samba music. I’d always go here with my big sister – I really miss those days! We used to meet so many people there and I felt like I was learning more about different cultures and different people.

I’m in their extended family program, and for that reason I’ve been able to go behind the scenes and visit their archives. They had so many crazy items that I’ve never seen before. A lot of slavery related items too. Curaçao and Brazil, of course, were a part of this too. I remember feeling so connected to my heritage and actually became angry at what ‘they’ stole from us.

Marlou Fernanda's Guide To Caribbean Spots In Rotterdam

Anomalie

Montreal

One of my favorite small venues in the city. It’s a non-profit organization that has music, dance theatre, exhibitions amongst other tings. I’ve played here several times and I went to several events here and the ambience was always on point

To me, this is the best music venue in the city to see your favorite artist play. Great acoustics, beautiful architecture - I’ve seen so many insane shows here and especially after being to similar sized venues in other cities, this is the one.


I love pubs, and this one is pretty much right next to l’Astral and Métropolis, which means that during jazz fest season (or summer for that matter) this is pretty much the go to spot. It’s technically a tavern - food and drinks are always on point and this is my vibe for a night out

Another great venue with absolutely stunning architecture. In some ways it feels like a smaller metropolis, it’s beautiful and I especially like it’s layout - I’ve seen several memorable shows here too

Located in my Pointe Saint-Charles (my old neighborhood in the south-west, love this area so much), this place is gorgeous. The cocktails and atmosphere are incredible, and the people who own it also own one of the best pizza places in town (in my opinion, fight me)

This is my favorite mid-sized venue in town. I might be biased cause it’s definitely associated with my years studying music in Cegep (something in between high school and college here in Quebec), but I just have so many fond memories of this spot, both playing and seeing shows, that I couldn’t not include it on this list. They also own the smaller but equally awesome Casa Del Popolo across the street.

Anomalie's guide to Nightlife / Music Venues in Montreal

Hak Baker

Top cafe, top food, top proper east end people

Good priced and top quality Sunday Roasts. Morn like these silly gastro pubs. Good price beer and authentic East End Pub feel. Ain’t much of that around, too conversation just don’t act moody, we’ll sniff you out!

Members club - I ain’t got a membership but I got the blag to get in there. Good food and wild impromptu nights. Variety of people

Home of Thirsty Thursday. Best free party in town and can't go wrong. Free entry free beer and Live music.

Venue fluctuates but if ya in town and it's on go to 'Glitterbox' top old skool sounds and good ravers

London with Hak Baker

Melbourne

For some nature Blairgowrie Rock Pools are found on this beach - f*cking insane!

Start with a cocktail at the speakeasy downstairs at GOGO Bar.

After Horn Please Indian, take a walk through the Edinburgh Gardens with a Billy Van’s ice cream (coconut sorbet all the way!)

My favourite out of the three buildings is the Heide II - a white lime stone modernist building and gallery. Eat at the cafe (you’ll need reservations!) or take a picnic and walk through the sculpture gardens - get into the bush!

Bobby Clark's Guide to Melbourne

Nasty C

Johannesburg

It's a place where you get to enjoy being outdoors and connecting to nature. A quick get-away from the city with tiny restaurants with good food and a great chilled vibe. There is always something new to experience in Harties. A great place to enjoy yourself and bask under Africa's sunny skies.

It always comes through with great old-school hip-hop and r&b music that brings back some of the best childhood memories. Melville is a place where the young, trendy and the old meet.

Rockets never disappoints when looking for a great night-out. The crowd is amazing and the drinks keep flowing. Everybody is there to just have a good time

I am big on gaming and motorsports. This spot offers some of the greatest motoring events at international standards.

A man needs to eat every now and then. This spot is a great place to catch up with friends while having some good food.

Shopping is one of my favourite things. This shopping centre is cosy and offers so easy different restaurants and retail stores. It's also easy to get around.

Nicely secluded boutique hotel. It has a relaxing and chilled ambience when in need of luxury treatment and relaxation.

Johannesburg is the concrete jungle where we hustle and chase our dreams. This area is where you get first-hand experience of authentic cultural expression of all those chasing their dreams and making things happen. The people here are very friendly and genuine.

This is an urban part of the city that is full of creative energy. The block is the arts and culture hub of Johannesburg.

A unique cosy bar that offers South African cuisine. It blasts some of the best of local music too.

Johannesburg with Nasty C

Sydney

BOCK:ARIE, is a unisex accessories and clothing brand founded in 2019 by designer Naomi Bockarie. Derived from the notion of bringing art into everyday life, the brands first collection features unique non-animal leather bags, that can be worn in numerous ways in the one design. The design philosophy is to allow the wearer to reinterpret the design into their own and to create their own personal look that is not entirely dictated by the designer and as a result BOCKARIE designs are intended to be ever evolving. Their next collection will feature clothing.

Being Mad About Curls, we specialize in all types of curls – Wavy, Curly and Afro. Based in Sydney Australia. With celebrity clients like Zadie Smith, FKA Twigs, Amanda’s Stenberg and Yemi Alade, we provide our curly haired beauties numerous and well-educated options for styling and wearing your unique look confidently.
Whether your curls are in their natural form, chemically treated or manipulated, we offer a judgement free zone so you can enjoy your hair’s versatility the way you like. 
Our role as a team is to simplify your curl journey, complimented by our Rumbie & Co curly hair products, our curly hair services and education. We also are creating a curl community that will empower and support you, leaving you time to embrace and love your curls.

Jarin Street began by recognising the misuse of Aboriginal art and the industry's failure to protect the artists and Aboriginal designs, as well as a failure to highlight the artists themselves.
We support up and coming Indigenous artists to get their designs out there and seen in day to day life.
We aim to provide ongoing ethical and sustainable support to the artists who contribute their work on our yoga mats and soon to come - active wear and fashion garments.

Sauti Systems is a multifaceted brand, focused on providing an atmospheric event of diverse and enjoyable musical content. We aim to bring positivity through all creative avenues, producing an all round inclusive experience.

A hip-hop dance experience designed to make you feel good about yourself. Usually held in a no mirrors, dim lights, judgement free space. Currently running livestream classes with dance courses also available so you can pause, rewind, and groove in your own time.

This homey Redfern cafe offers classic brunch food alongside pastries injected with Indigenous ingredients (lemon-myrtle cheesecake, hello!). Community groups can use the back room to hold meetings, and run pottery, poetry, and painting nights.

After spending its infancy as a pop-up, the popular Nigerian joint has recently found a permanent home in Newtown. It is the currently the only restaurant solely dedicated to Nigerian cuisine. All the usual suspects feature on the menu – jollof rice, puff puffs, fried plantains – with the most recent addition to the menu being suya (grilled spiced beef served with onions, tomatoes and capsicum).

Located in the heart of Sydney’s western suburbs, Gursha Ethiopian is a no-fuss, affordable and authentic Ethiopian food experience. There’s a large variety of vegan options alongside the more well-known Ethiopian dishes – doro wat and kitfo.

Bangarra is a critically acclaimed Indigenous performing arts company. Their dance technique incorporates 40,000 years of culture with contemporary movement, creating vibrant performances. While their scheduled tour is on hold due to current circumstances, they have made a number of performances available to stream for free online.

Eden Dessalegn provides traditional hair braiding with a modern twist. Self-taught, she started off charging $5 dollar a head in high school, graduated to market stalls, and now has her own studio based in south-west Sydney.

Tegan Murdock creates bespoke jewellery and keepsakes using a weaving technique taught to her by her mother. Customers can also learn to weave with her starter kits (which comes with videos and written instructions) or by attending one of her workshops. She is currently running these workshops online.

Black-Owned Businesses in Sydney

Mx Blouse

Johannesburg has a serious lack of establishments that cater particularly to the LGBTQIA+ community, but Tennis Club is one of the venues that are not just paying lip service to “queer friendly” – they really are. It’s one of the few places I feel comfortable rocking up at in a crop top and loads of eyeliner without a worry in the world. In addition to that, they often host gay-themed parties and dress-up parties in general, which are always fun and go right into the early hours of the morning. Tennis Club has often played host to LE GRAND BALL.

Not particularly my cup of tea, but this is a very popular spot. They play all the pop hits and they sometimes have live entertainment in the form of drag performers. It’s located in Illovo, one of the more affluent suburbs, north of the city, and prides itself in being an “open-minded” venue that is welcoming to everyone; gay or not. They have a huge bar, chic interior design, VIP booths and male strippers add to the raunchy, but fun atmosphere.

Black-owned galleries are generally hard to come by anywhere in South Africa, making artist BANELE KHOZA’s project space a welcome anomaly on the cultural landscape. They often host group and solo exhibitions by young, emerging artists and emerging creative across various disciplines including fine art, photography, performance, illustration and more. Every now and again, they also host talks, with an aim at facilitating dialogue around art and design.

This bar located on Melville’s popular 7th Street strip is not gay-owned, neither does it sell itself as a gay bar, but it has become notorious for attracting the community nonetheless. For years, it has been like the gateway to Johannesburg’s POC LGBT community. On Thursday nights in particular, students from the surrounding University communities as well as professionals from all over the city congregate here for affordable drinks and the latest queer favourite pop hits. It gets seriously packed, so arriving before 10pm at least is the only way to guarantee yourself space, or even entrance.

Known as Johannesburg’s second oldest bar, Kitchener’s is also probably one of the city’s most progressive with a music programme that caters to different tastes. It’s a sanctuary for the city’s underground scenes and the queer scene is no exception. The bar is home to Pussy Party, for instance, a monthly party catering specifically to femme revellers and a DJ lineup that is exclusively femme. More than just a party, Pussy Party has become more of a movement.

This is without a doubt my favourite place to go dancing on the weekends, and so far the only place I know of in the city that is strictly about the music, and zero frills. Third Place hosts some of my personal favourite parties and Vogue Nights Jozi, a popular ball that redefined queer nightlife in Johannesburg.

On Saturdays, the city central suburb of Braamfontein comes alive as this market breathes life into it. Throngs of people gather at this market to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the variety of food, clothing and art stalls as well as live music out in the sun. Neighbourgoods is the sister market to Cape Town’s Old Biscuit Mill based market of the same name, owned by entrepreneurs Cameron Munro and Justin Rhodes who started both markets in order to give market access to small designers, and producers prioritising quality local produce.

When the market closes around 3pm, Great Dane, a bar across the street from the Neighbourgoods Market, is where you’ll find Joburg’s young and fabulously gay, dancing well into the night. Keep it casual, sure, but be sure to put your best foot forward because everyone here looks beautiful as fuck! Although Great Dane is not a gay bar, Saturday afternoons have specifically and affectionately become known as ‘Gay Dane’. You have to be sure to make it there as soon as possible before the market crowd pours in, making it virtually impossible to find space or to get a drink at the bar. You’ll often find a long queue outside as people wait their turn to go inside.

In the northern suburb of Craighall, the Royale is local favourite and my personal drinking hole on any day of the week. They’ve got great food on offer and the courtyard is a summer time staple for Joburg’s young and well-heeled. The speakeasy at the back of the restaurant is where you’ll most probably find me and my friends dancing, or even hijacking the playlist. Everyone feels at home here and it really feels like a small, close knit community where everyone comes to have fun in a safe space.

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