Polyswitch 

Casablanca

Imagined by architect Pierre Bousquet in 1918, Marche Central is a staple "Souk" market located in the heart of Casablanca and emblematic heritage locals take pride in. Known particularly for its fresh offerings of local fish, but also meats, vegetables, rare spics and flowers, Marche Central represents a cultural experience, always a great pick for lunch and a walk in the surroundings. 

Every local can attest the best juices and smoothies in town are pressed here, I tried all the juices and they're all worth a shot. Open 24/7, the prices are reasonable and the staff are very friendly even when the orders come in heavy. 

To me, this place represents the true feel of a sunny local cafe terrace, perfect for reading a book or ideating about your next project. Bring your pastries from the corner, order a mint tea and enjoy the atmosphere. 

My gateway to Casablanca of the past, the Habbous neighbourhood is a pleasant and magical area. The ideal spot for those who seek Moroccan authenticity in Casablanca, aimed at an idealised version of the old Medina, located in one of the most ancient districts in town, its narrow alleys are charming to stroll around in. You can follow the arches and they will lead you to neat open-air markets, bookshops and bazaars. With such a serene aura, time spent in is assured to prevail over the bustling city life. 

Established in 1950, this place never disappoints, I've been coming over since my childhood. They offer a fabulous selection of ice cream and desserts in an impeccable context and beautiful decor, inarguably the best in town. The menu is extensive but, I don't think they have a bad flavour. 

My favourite spot to watch sunsets and sunrises from in Casablanca. 

A record store that knew how to portray the spirit of the city, "DISQUES GAM" was more than just a music store, it was the leading institution that generously served Casablanca, and the country as a whole with music for over 50 years, a goldmine for any record collector. Established by a very passionate and resilient man, "Boujemaa" was the last survivor of the many record stores Casablanca had back in the day, he always believed in vinyl as the best format, and he was right.

"Boujemaa" passed just a few years ago but his legacy will live on forever.

The 7 Best Places to Visit in Casablanca with Polyswitch

Hugo Mendoza 

New York City 

The Bronx Museum tends to go under people's radar a lot of the time but this is one of my top 3 favorite museums in NY. Last year (2019) they had the best exhibition I've ever been to. Shout out Henry Chalfant.

This is an old photo but it captures the very essence of Fordham Road. From sneakers you haven't seen in years to $5 thermal packs to keep you warm through a NY winter, this joint has it all. If you make your way towards University Heights Bridge you can fuck with some Texas size Henny Coladas at Dallas BBQs.

This one here is a gem. I stumbled upon the Bartow mansion one time I was riding on my 10-speed headed to City Island, if I remember correctly. The garden is like no other and if you're into Greek revival interiors this joint is for you.

I keep this one close to my heart. Big Pun is in my top 5 for obvious reasons. Tats Cru is legendary Bronx shit. Not much to say about this one, they switch it every other year. Each year is hard. If you fuck with PUN go see it. 

Dominican owned. Bronx based. Great food. The menu changes daily, Thursday is my go-to. Chivo con arroz blanco y guandules de coco. Enough said.

Best Pizza in the Bronx. Don't @ me. Get the sausage slice. 

If you know me, you knew this one was coming. Get a little bit of each section. The menu is broken down into sections. Fried, Boiled and I think burgers and chicken. Don't touch those. Stick to the seafood. Go fuck with a Henny Colada or 2. The peoples at the bar have no actual bartending experience so they bless the Henny amounts.

Best Chopped Cheese in the Bronx in my opinion. Open 24hrs. I know if you are from NY and you're reading this I know youre like "Hugo got it fucked up, the best chopped cheese is..." That's cool. If ya'll ever decide to take a trip uptown, come see for yaself. 

Explore The Bronx with Hugo Mendoza

Berlin

Found in Berlin-Charlottenburg, this restaurant serve delicious Ethiopian fare and is open to dine at and for curb side pick-up.

African Food Festival Berlin brings to you the best of healthy delicious African fare. Breaking the gap between street and haute cuisine. Bringing the rich variety of authentic African food from grill to sea to vegan.

A 100% vegan African-Italian restaurant offering amazing creative breakfasts and Sunday brunches. Zero waste and plastic-free.

When strolling through the African quarter in Wedding, you quickly get the impression that you have ended up in the streets of a small African town. The restaurant, owned by Suzanne Saitz, serves authentic Cameroonian food that's open 'til late.

Found in Reinickendorf, BaoPab offers tasty homemade food from burgers to grilled fish. One of the hot spots in the area. Also hosts jazz nights with cocktails.

Baraka is an amalgamation of Moroccan, Egyptian and Arabian food. Expect mouth-watering dishes like the traditional soup called Harira, that is usually served during Ramadhan, and the usual dips like baba ghanoush and hummus.

Since its opening in 1993, the Africa House, led by the sociologist, Oumar Diallo, from Guinea Conakry, has developed into an institution that is recognised beyond the capital's borders as a place for transcultural encounter and political education.

Experts in all hair textures, specialising in relaxers, texturizers, cutting & colouring.

Centrally located in the heart of Berlin Wedding, Salone Market is a multi-cultural meeting point. You can get both tropical and African food and drinks, as well as typical West African dishes (e.g. rice with peanut sauce, fish with plantains) at moderate prices. They also offer freshly ground classic coffee specialties. Main courses are available from €6 and the drink prices are cheap.

Founded by Femi Oyewole, Black Brown Berlin is a community directory and platform celebrating their culture and community in Berlin. They aim to shine the spotlight on Black and Brown excellence throughout the city by providing a range of thoughtfully curated content aimed to inform, connect, and serve the black and brown community.

Found in the ever-cool Kreuzberg, this vegan shop serves homemade banana bread in different flavours, from cream cheese, white chocolate and walnut to cream, nougat and hazelnut. For now, they offer a pick-up service where they bake twice a week and orders can be collected on Friday and Tuesdays.

This sustainable, handmade lingerie brand offers sultry pieces made out of left-over pieces of chiffon and silk in red, white, purple and many more. Sets made to order.

Found in Berlin-Neukölln, this West African kitchen serving delicious dishes like tilapia, jollof rice, fried yams and a special dish of banku (fermented corn and cassava dough) served with groundnut soup and mixed meat. They also have many vegan and vegetarian options.

Based in Berlin, this hair stylist is an expert in creating gorgeous braids and crowns on POC hair.

For designer Soji Solarin, his clothes are a tool to playfully challenge the preconceptions of black identity. In his collection 'Negro Cowboy', he addresses the cowboy - a landscape in which the black narrative has definitively been written out - with playful graphic tees and structured denim chaps.

Black-Owned Businesses in Berlin

Mumbai

Hands down the best Indian restaurant in Mumbai. It's also beautifully designed and if you are scared to try street food off the carts, go here for the greatest feeling of satisfaction.

A short trip from the city, these caves date back to more than 3,000 years ago and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hire a guide and take a half-day tour to explore enigmatic Indian sculpture art. Makes for a great break from Mumbai's constant noise of horns!

This historical temple is located in Juhu devoted to Lord Krishna is known for its good vibrations and serenity. If you are visiting around a festival, you could witness a celebration and the prayer which is an experience you must have.

Chor Bazaar literally translates to 'thieves market'. It’s essentially a street market full of vintage gems. From furniture to clothing, to artefacts to stationary to old photo frames, I’ve found some great treasures here which I hold really close to my heart. Every piece here has a rich past and a story to tell.

This is my neighbourhood for the last 6 years in Mumbai and I absolutely won’t live anywhere else in the city (or the world). There are a lot of outsiders (from different parts of the country/world) that live here and it’s full of life with some of the best nightlife options as well as best small coffee shops and eating spots. Walking around the sea promenade around sunset or getting a coffee from a local brewery around the corner are some of the favourite parts of my day. And it makes me feel like I’m home.
Tip: Walk in the sub-lanes of Bandra to discover some of the most beautiful colonial architecture, small catholic houses, all giving a lesson in its history.

This religious-historical site is a small waterbody surrounded by temples. To me, it's an oasis tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the maximum city. I often go here to clear my mind at dusk or dawn.

Go here for the Thackers Special Thali. Local flavours and delicacies are all served in one platter as part of the ritual. Experience a traditional Gujarati vegetarian meal in all its glory! Food coma to follow.

Also known as the art district of Mumbai. It has come up as the centre of everything artsy and trendy. Find here a mix of great cafes, art galleries and small homegrown designer stores. Make a detour to Colaba Causeway (a great place for street shopping!) for a true taste of the old and young Mumbai!

A mosque or dargah located on an islet off the coast of Worli. It’s one of the most recognised and iconic landmarks in Mumbai and has a very charming Islamic architecture. It’s beautifully lit every night and at the end of your visit, tuck into a cup of the iconic fruit cream from Haji Ali Juice Center outside.

The Best of Mumbai with Creative Director Kshitij Kankaria

Farhot

Hamburg

Guess there’s always a rich and a rotten side in the area around any train station. Well, at least in Germany. This one’s defo not the posh side – sex shops, backyard mosques, junkies, pawnbrokers, and you won’t spot too many blonde folks around here. But you can find lots of great Middle Eastern food joints like Akdeniz Tantuni.

Doner Kebab might be the most popular Turkish food in Germany but to me, Tantuni, which is also a type of kebab, is defo in a yumminess league above. If you love kebab, try this!

Feels and tastes like home. This restaurant is named after the Hindu Kush mountain range that stretches through Afghanistan, so if my mom doesn’t have time to cook up something delish on a Sunday, this is where I get great Afghan cuisine.

I just love Vietnamese street food! Lately many places that offer pho and such have been popping up around town but to me this is definitely the best place to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine in Hamburg. Normally, you’d find me at their branch close to the main train station.

Good movies are a blessing and one of my main sources of inspiration. I’ve watched countless great movies at this art-house cinema right in the heart of the university district. Hope they’ll be able to open up soon because I miss that big screen feeling.

Want to get away from the city and just enjoy some peace in nature? Then just grab a bike and cycle along the Dove Elbe, which is the rough, untouched lower part of the Elbe River. Ok, I really think I’m getting old.

Hamburg has always been big on trade and is home to the world’s biggest warehouse district. Here, you can see how goods are delivered and maybe get a discount on oriental rugs if you buy them directly from wholesalers like my dad. The classic architecture of the warehouses is a great contrast to the ultramodern Hafencity buildings.

Greasy! That’s what this little Korean food joint is. Doesn’t really look inviting at all but the food is damn delicious. If you love deep fried food chicken as much as I do, then this is the place to go. Oh yeah, and make sure to check out our KABUL FIRE “DEEP FRIED” PLAYLIST for some extra crispy beats!

If you’ve been feasting on too much greasy food during your stay in HH city and feel the need to burn off some calories, I recommend hitting the Gorilla Gym. From boxing to Yoga. For grown-ups and kids.

Explore Hamburg with Farhot

Estelle

Los Angeles 

Healthy coffee shop in the heart of Leimert Park - the best place in Los Angeles to be.

A little outside of the norm beach scope, but popular as its cleaner than Santa Monica.

Healthy vegan and non-vegan eats in South LA. Also, West Indian food and general fare.

Brunch on a Sunday with LEGENDARY DAMON - the perfect COVID compliant rooftop brunch. Gorgeous scenery, great music - good private vibe.

SHABBAAAA - the best monthly reggae party in LA. Period.

Best day to go is on a Saturday morning 8-12pm. There are ALL kinds of fresh flowers at wholesale prices. Sort of an LA ritual when you get an apartment or house here; you buy your fresh flowers from the flower market.

Monthly HUGE vintage and new artisan market, in “Pasadena”; sort of a village Los Angeles to me.

LA with Estelle

Oshun

Historical market on 116th adorned with gorgeous textiles, jewelry, art, and African-American Culture. Favorite vendors: the fabric stores & the waist bead tables

Upscale rooftop bar and restaurant in LES with a millennial touch. Beautiful view of NYC. Favourites on the menu: Any of their delicious cocktails!

Our favourite hangout spot, right in the centre of NYU. Lowkey kinda sketchy which is cool because anything interesting can happen! Very close to all kinds of food

Fun Nigerian restaurant with a dinner table inside an authentic Lagos-style taxi! Favorites on menu include: efo, akara, and egusi

Cute & small African boutique shop. Everything from clothing, to purses / backpacks, accessories, and interior decoration - this is our go to spot for gifts and fly statement pieces

Falafel sandwich w hummus for $4. Deliciousssssss

Oshun's Top Tips for NYC

Niia

My favourite late-night chic cocktail spot. Sometimes I'll get up and sing a song if I'm drunk enough.

A secret, tiny restaurant that reminds me of NYC. Best breakfast ever

My go-to Italian spot. You sit outside and feel like you're in Italy.

Understated jazz club where you'll often catch insane musicians.

I highly encourage getting stoned and seeing this strange and amazing museum.

Arguably the most iconic music and movie store ever.

Explore LA With Niia

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

Floyd Lavine

Take a look at the unique, one-of-a-kind-pieces as well as the designs of the ready-to-wear line by this South African-born designer, launched in 2008. One can hardly identify the cultural roots of these fantastic garments or the times that they could have possibly been made in. Bringing together aesthetics of various African countries and traditional Asian craftsmanship, every piece of his brand is handmade by only one person: Dennis Chuene himself.

I played at one of the first ever African Food Festivals in Berlin. I really enjoyed it. The festival showcased beautiful cultural parts of Africa by celebrating the African and African diaspora community in Berlin. It’s a must-go festival if you’re in Berlin.

If you feel like enjoying West African authentic cuisine, Senegambia is your place. My friend Dede introduced this spot to me and I fell in love.

Selekt is an event management company run by my friend Joy Fatoyinbo. It offers crowd control, club selection, hosting and event management. I’ve been to the events and places they host and it’s always a great time.

If you’re looking for a Black lawyer in Berlin, especially for intellectual property law, my friend Joy (apart from running Selekt) is also a great lawyer. If you’re a creative and need to talk to someone about protecting your work, you know who to call.

Refuge Worldwide is a community radio station that offers more than just radio. It offers community support for Berlin creatives, fights for social justice, raises funds for social issues, hosts workshops and it’s a great hangout spot. I’m glad to be one of the resident DJs.

If you feel like having some Ethiopian food in Berlin, my favourite restaurant for that is Langano. This is a family-run business. I enjoy coming to eat here.

My best friend has had a baby and I finally realised that a good kindergarten is essential. Sankofa is Black-owned kindergarten. [It] has an Afrodiasporic and bilingual early childhood programme for children between the ages of one and six in the city. It was founded by a group of parents, and childrens’ parents play an active role in the overall management of the place.

8 Black-Owned Businesses in Berlin, Chosen By Floyd Lavine

Heartbroken

Brussels

It’s a very old and typical Brussels daily flea market. You can find good bargains and nice antiques as well as a lot of weird stuff. I used to go there since I’m a kid with my Dad and we would just look for some nice furniture for the house, and after that we would have a sandwich and a soup at la Clef d’Or, a cafe that’s right on the square and is still running today. Those are my dearest childhood memories.

It’s my favourite ice cream spot, I think, in the world. During the first lockdown everything was closed, and you could only have takeaways and I would walk from my home 35 minutes all the way to Bargello and every day I would go and buy one ice cream and that was like my highlight of the day. It’s a true Italian style ice cream parlour, they have these flavours that I love and that you don’t find so often, dark chocolate sorbet and tuscan cream with pistachio and almonds.

It’s a little park located in the heart of Saint Gilles, that typically represents the diversity of Brussels as a lot of different crowds mix there. There is a basketball court and a field where people play pétanque while sipping a beer, the kids play in the grass and the skaters use the upper level’s flat ground with their friends watching them sitting on the stairs. During the first lockdown, it spontaneously became a big hang out place as the bars were closed down, to the point that the police came to confiscate the skating equipment due to neighbourhood complaints.

They make these awesome jerk chicken plates and also fish but also, they make these cocktails which are a bit too strong but are really good, it’s worth the money. They have a DJ, he plays reggae and dancehall and he’s always very hyped about being there, it’s a very nice vibe.

Decoratelier started as a scenography workshop that his owner, Jozef Wouters, opened to other collectives and people from the neighbourhood, and it quickly became a strong community and an inclusive lab for all kinds of ideas and projects. The space is easy to adapt as they use modular scaffoldings to create a different setting for every event, so they have had theatre performances, screenings, club nights as well as karaoke and a gym club.

Heartbroken’s Guide to Summer in Brussels

Andrea Martina Specchio

Venice

My favourite place to have breakfast or 'merenda' (afternoon break). This tiny pastry and coffee shop is where I always start my day when I am in Venice. I discovered Tonolo many moons ago when I was in town often to visit my friends who were studying here. Every time, I cannot resist getting at least two pastries, if not more. 

My local restaurant crush! The food is WOW and the menu has a lot of veggie options. I love the warm atmosphere and the wooden walls, so I recommend booking a table inside.

Just another excuse to go to Venice. Every other year, from April to November, Venice becomes a living exhibition of contemporary art with worldwide artists exhibiting their works in different areas of the town. The theme for 2022 is 'The Milk of Dreams': artists were asked to think of creative ways for a more sustainable coexistence between us as individuals and the universe we inhabit. 

This little old fashion bar is the king of 'tramezzini' – fresh sandwiches stuffed with different ingredients and TONS of mayo. This is my favourite lunch spot and my place-to-go to grab a 'tramezzino' for my trip back home before leaving Venice.

If you love books (and the smell of old books – something I could die for) visit this historical shop. A maze of bookshelves, vintage armchairs, old posters, retro postcards and tons of other random stuff – including a couple of resident cats!

Come here to have wine and fresh sandwiches with cold cuts. This is a spot where locals have their daily 'ombre di vino' (little glasses of wine) from 6am to 8pm… Venice rules!

Come here to hang out in the University campus area. Opt for a spritz at Bar Rosso or the 'cicchetti' ritual (aperitif in Venice style) at Ai Do Draghi. 

An Insider's Guide to Visiting Venice During the Biennale

Karun

Nairobi

It's a super cute Vegan-friendly and child-friendly cafe that has an all-deaf waiting staff. They also sometimes have a market of all sorts of Kenyan made crafts.

Especially when they have the flea market, or on Wednesday evenings when they have the ‘Speaker Box’. Speaker Box is a series of live acoustic music performances curated by Patricia Kihoro. (Check out her socials, she has great taste in music and always find the best underground indie/folk/jazz Kenyan artists to play.)

I like this restaurant because she always has some dope Kenyan art on display and for sale (Painters, Photographers, mixed media) and live acoustic music on Saturdays.

Or this one, depending on what’s closest. Also great trails. (Also Tip, there are multiple entrances to Karura, find the lesser-known ones for a more peaceful time.)

Karun's Guide to Nairobi

Sarah Ben Hafsia 

Tunis 

Stop by to do some shopping at this flea market

Known for its fruit pie served with green tea.


This is a second hand store for design artefacts and vintage pieces, located at the owner's terrace in Radès.

Grab a seafood plate at this restaurant in my favourite area, La Goulette, which is known for its architectural gems and avenue full of restaurants. Watch 'A Summer in La Goulette' by Férid Boughedir to understand the full experience of the area. 

A old hotel that comes on top of a hill and has a very beautiful sunset on the northern suburb of tunis. Also known to only serve beer with olives and peanuts.


It is known for being touristy but it's definitely a must-see for its view, the art galleries, the architecture and the "bambalouni", a sweet famous tunisian donut. 


Tunis with Sarah Ben Hafsia

Afrohunting

Buenos Aires

The perfect way to start your day with real Colombian coffee and Colombian vibes.


You should take the African tour in this town with Lufarda travel.

Closed doors, African Swahili food, fantastic hosts!


Buenos Aires with Afrohunting 

Ramesh

Ibiza

A new addition to the island in 2019 and the beginnings of pushing the boundaries from classic mediterranean cooking. Antía and Matias arrived from living in New York and brought younger vibes to a sleepy Santa E. Watch out for them hosting pop-up supper clubs at places like LOS ENAMORADOS or LA GRANJA. Remember to order their Kale Caesar Salad, your taste buds will not forget it.

Founders and wine creators, Cassidy and Bernat have set up their super natural wines shop in the quaint town of San Lorenzo next door to the church. San Lorenzo is such a quaint town (I don't even think there is a shop there), simply two banging restaurants, a school, a natural wine shop and a church.

Casa Lhasa’s foundations are: fresh food bought from the market daily, incredible anfitriones (hosts and hostess - in Spanish) and knowledge on natural wines.

NICK and FACU, these two movement coaches are special, their value of movement being medicine boils down to the stories that got them here... The way the light runs into this space is beautiful, it is a real pleasure to train in this room. If you are at all into practicing movement, it is worth a trip to the group class or a 1-2-1. Be prepared to jump around like a frog or a cat and be chased around with a stick. You get a sweat on, improve your core strength and can learn to stand upside down!

ps - they have freezers set up for wim hoff in the back :)

Have you ever wondered what a crossfit class would be like with a smiley crew of ex-ravers. Well you don’t have to wonder any more if you join Danny Plants Rewild tribe. Whether you are here on holiday for a drop in or want to be a monthly member this kettlebell and pull up crew will make you smile. A warm vibe and great crew to lifty with.

Think - if fabric had a crossfit team.

I’ve finally found a yoga studio where you can book online and in advance! Phew. The Studio is new to the island but Nadia (THEHEALTHJUNKIE) is not; she is a veteran of the club scene having been a dancer at Cocoon, Paradise and many other quality parties. Nadia found yoga and set up the studio in 2021. Situated in San Lorenzo and currently with one class every day, it is a boutique studio with a quality teacher, whether you want core strength, or yin, this space is quality.

Ramon and Inma are a couple that are in service of the bowls, they hold a special energy from the island and their bowls help to take you to other worlds. If you haven’t yet experienced sound healing, try it. If you are a regular receiver of the sound; you know that each healer has their sounds and their style. Sounds for life infuses emotive tracks with the bowls, gongs and the bells, played for you in their light and airy yoga room or they can be set up in the forest or at your house. Send them a DM on INSTAGRAM to book.

An absolute classic of the north for sunset, vibes and the bongos. Don’t be fooled into only heading down here on Sundays. It is well worth heading down any day of the week and more of less any time. Good vibes, great for swimming in the sea (I challenge you to swim to the rock shaped like a finger).

Toby Clarke has been on the island for ten plus years this time and has created something extremely special with his bandwagon of guides that show you many unexplored spots on the island. Whether you want to book in for a private walk or join their community wednesday 5km saunters. The vibe is lovely, they chat about the history of the island and it is easy to make friends with their crew. Look at their website to book.

A Cave up in the north of the island. If you fancy a history lesson on Ibiza, look up and read about the goddess of Tannit before you head to the cave. If you feeling it bring here a gift like a beautiful bunch of flowers you pick on the way there she will reward you with love.

An extremely cute and vibey hippie market with trinkets from the island, trippy bucket hats, hippie shirts and quality handmade merchandise. Look out for MEKE Coffee stall, for a reup as the market is on Sunday mornings you’ll probably want the coffee hit. Top tip for this market is to book a brunch or lunch table at the GIRI CAFE for after you have finished browsing the market - book 3-4 day in advance.

Explore North Ibiza with Ramesh

Mx Blouse

Johannesburg

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.

Queer Spaces in Johannesburg

Lila

Montevideo

At the southernmost city in the Americas, in Montevideo bay, very close to the busy city center, there's this Breakwater structure in which I love to spend time, unplugging myself from everything while watching and sampling sounds from the docks, birds and fishermen around.

I won't lie, I am a huge fan of South American cemeteries, visiting them in each city I play gigs at. In Montevideo, there's one I'm particularly fond of, Cementerio del Buceo. The dichotomy between massive architecture next to decaying graves with plastic flowers, cats always running around. Most of my favourite local musicians and poets from past centuries are buried there.

In the backyard of a fantastic art museum, there's the Japanese garden of Montevideo. A beautiful spot filled with bamboo trees, cherry blossoms and orchids, blended with Uruguayan national trees such as Ceibo. Love to go there with a good book and stare at the koi fishes for hours.

The flea market culture is quite remarkable in Uruguay. Every Sunday, you will find Tirstan Narvaja market right in the city center. I visit it every weekend ever since I can remember, walking kilometres in search of thrift clothes, vinyls, music gear and the most random things you can imagine.

Undoubtfully every Uruguayan has a fond memory of this spot. Right next to the amusement park and the beach, there is a lovely tiny lake with small boats that you can rent, surrounded by native trees, musicians playing around, tiny little islands with rabbits, and a castle (that is actually a library) in the middle.

Located in the oldest neighborhood in town, Cafe Brasilero is a very inspiring artistic bar founded in 1877, with typical art nouveau decorations and incredible food. It's been said that many famous writers from around the globe have started their books there.

Montevideo is known for venues shutting down in the blink of an eye, so most parties are itinerant. But luckily there's Tundra Bar, a place where you can go see the most experimental underground acts around, perhaps a rave here and there, and in the evening you can eat amazing vegan food.

Montevideo with Lila

Tamia Mathis

You’ll find all of your hypebeast needs here. If you missed a Supreme drop, they most likely have what you’re looking for at a slIghtly marked up price from the original one. Obviously rarer items in the store are going to be a little bit of $$$ but they have sooooo much stuff and really cool vintage sportswear collectibles of sorts too!

American Rag is also on La Brea, down the street from Union. They have a really good selection of clothes and shoes here. Designer, streetwear, and vintage. If you come here, save room for food! Cafe Midi is attached to American Rag and has a lot of really good food

Union! An LA shopping staple. It's a menswear boutique with some of my favorite streetwear and high end brands like; Comme des Garçons, Noon Goons, and AWAKE. It’s also on La Brea, which is a great shopping area in town! If you visit Union I recommend popping into Stussy next door, and Undefeated across the street

If you’re in LA on the second Sunday of the month I definitely suggest waking up a bit early to take a trip out to this flea market in Pasadena. Some of the best vintage dealers in LA that are usually private set up shop here once a month. It’s always fun bargaining too

Another really good vintage shop in the East Hollywood area that specializes in sportswear, streetwear, and my favorite, denim!!

Squaresville is a vintage shop in the Los Feliz area! The prices are super reasonable and they have a good selection of vintage designer items too! 🤫

I work here! Mohawk is a beautiful women’s wear shop in Silverlake. We carry brands like Dries Van Noten, Acne Studios, and Pleats Please. If you have any interest in fashion or beautiful objects I suggest coming by the shop! There’s also a few good coffee shops and restaurants near our store

LCD is a super cute higher-end womenswear/streetwear shop in the DTLA shopping center called The Row. It's behind the old American Apparel factory. Pro tip: go on a Sunday afternoon! They have this event called smorgasbord and there’s a bunch of yummy food vendors! + shopping

Tamia Mathis Shopping in LA

Moe Saavedra

Mexico City 

My studio where you can find me tattooing most days.

This is an amazing mix of art & technology. It’s a fountain / water system / sculpture designed by Diego Riviera in the Chapultepec forest. There’s also a skatepark nearby here that I like to skate at.

This is a food market, famous for it’s mariscos (seafood). I always get the 'alambre de camaron’ and a corona.

This place is famous for it’s 80s high energy music vibe. It’s a must-experience for Mexico City there’s nothing else like it.

I find lots of cool weird stuff at this flea market. A lot of frames for art in my studio. Be warned this market is next to a trash station so I’ll shop there but I would never eat there haha. There are other good flea markets such as Lagunilla but now there’s a lot more tourists so the prices are higher. La Bufola is where you can find weird stuff super cheap.

CDMX with tattooist, Moe Saavedra

Mori's new sushi spot does the best omakase! Founder Mori is a Michelin starred chef who makes his own plates and ceramics and even grows his own rice. We adore him! The quality and dedication to sushi is seriously present, and every dish from the house tofu, to the soy sauce blends, and rice chosen, shows his legacy.

Market Song is a must hit small, bustling stop for updates on traditional Thai street foods. Go to Jitlada for super authentic best hole in the wall. It's a fun spot.

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