By Mia Bester
South Africa is the first country (and the only) country in Africa to legalize same-sex marriages. The bigger cities tend to be more tolerant of LGBTQ rights than anywhere else. Cape Town has the metropole, city bowl, and Atlantic seaboard which is queer-friendly. Alas, safety is never guaranteed, and anyone exploring what the city of Cape Town has to offer, must be aware of the surroundings and atmosphere, despite green flags. However, what the city does have to offer, is a variety of eventful and memorable places. Here are the top places and environments in Cape Town that are queer-friendly to visit, participate in, and experience.
There are no specific criteria for a place to be a queer safe space. It could be your room, a coffee shop, somewhere outdoors, or a friend’s house. This place of refuge looks different for everyone in the communities. This list contains areas that are outdoors and demands daytime visits, others are nightlife spaces, as well as LGBTQ-friendly places of worship. This list aims to introduce or encourage queer individuals to find more safe spaces.
Going- out spots: drag queens, restaurants and Zeits
1. De Waterkant ‘The pink strip’
Look out for the pink lane along Somerset Road. That is where Cape Town’s Pride march occurs and is called the pink strip. It is also the location of many LGBTQ+ friendly bars and sights to see, like the rainbow painted crosswalk. Café Manhattan, one of the oldest gay bars in cape Town, is also along Somerset Road. And the Pink Candy Nightclub, popular for a night out dancing. 2. Greenpoint Known to be the ‘Soho’ of Cape Town, this inner-city suburb and the urban park is known to be queer friendly and popular among LGBTQ+ folk. Here you will also find Beefcakes, a cabaret club and retro burger bar, with drag queen – and standup performances. 3. V&A Waterfront Based on the harbor side of town, the V&A Waterfront is not only one of the most popular tourist attractions in South Africa but home of the Zeits Museum of Contemporary Art. Located in Silo’s, the museum explores diverse culturesthrough various media and art and welcomes the LGBTQ community. 4. City center ‘CBD’
In the hub of Cape Town, at the foot of Table Mountain, businesses and commercialism thrive. The CBD area of Cape Town is among the most popular places for the queer community to be. The various queer-friendly bars and restaurants can be found here. The Alexander bar, café & and theatre, for example. And Zero021 Social bar in District six. The gin bars, Publik in gardens, Tjing Tjing and Evol club. The Labia theater for a movie. All LGBTQ member's welcome in these exciting nightlife spaces. For the day as well as nightlife dining, there are a myriad of restaurants in CBD that are welcoming and loving towards queer people. Kyoto garden, Kloof street house and Thali in Gardens. FYN, Hemelhuijs, Belly of the beast in the city center, all cater towards the community.
Outdoor spots:
5. Kirstenbosch Garden
Located in Newlands, the botanical gardens of Cape Town are an all-inclusive spot to enjoy the flora and scenery of this region. Picnics in the vast gardens, concerts or hikes up the mountain - this space welcomes the LGBTQ+ community.
6. Clifton beach
Beneath the peak of Lion’s head, lies four white sand beach coves, each separated by boulders. Clifton 3rd beach is a bit more secluded and private, around the corner from the popular fourth beach and known as a haven for the LGBTQ community Social media is another great way to find events, communities and tours. Whether following local drag queen performers, or a Pride festival, it will be sure to set you on the path to finding queer friendly and celebrated spaces, even if just to have some fun with likeminded people. For event Instagram pages, you can follow @capetownpride to stay updated on Pride events in Pride month, @Capetowngaytours for guided tours and @bottomsupcpt (considering you’re older than 18) for LGBTQ+ music festivals.
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