February 22, 2012
Living Pink in Cape Town
Ms Lola Lou with the Gay Flag of South Africa at the Cape Town Pride Parade. Photo courtesy Huge Brockman
Cape Town is famously gay friendly and we love being loud and proud. So whether you’re dancing, drinking, sunbathing or shopping, we want you to have fun. Here’s a hot-list of pink events and places that you definitely need to be seen at dahling!
Shake what ya mama gave ya
Gorgeous people, a festive vibe and music that makes you want to boogie all night long are crowd pullers the gay strip in Green Point:
Beaulah Bar
30 Somerset Road, Green Point
+27(0)21 421-6798
Crew Bar
30 Napier Street, Green Point
+27(0)21 418-0118
Restaurants and bars to die for
Gourmet dishes, colourful, exotic cocktails and an abundance of eye candy are all worth stopping for at these pink establishments:
Amsterdam Action Bar
10 Cobern Street, De Waterkant
Café Manhattan
247 Main Road, Sea Point
+27 (0)21 489 9666
Soak up the sun
Sunbathe au naturel, enjoy our cooling waters and check out the beautiful locals at these stunning beaches:
Sandy Bay
Unleash your inner exhibitionist at Cape Town’s unofficial nudist beach.
South of Llandudno, Cape Town
Clifton 3rd Beach
Often eclipsed by her more famous sister, 4th Beach, this little gem is the place to see hot Cape Town boys.
Shop 'til you drop
The Cape Quater lifestyle village. Photo courtesy Dawie Malan
Make sure you always look your stylish best by tracking the latest trends at the city's array of trendy shopping malls. Grab your credit card, set your GPS and head on out to:
V&A Waterfront
Victoria Wharf, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
+27(0)21 408 7600
Canal Walk
Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Century Boulevard, Century City
+27(0)21 529 9699
Cavendish Square
Dreyer Street, Claremont
+27 (21) 657 5620
The Cape Quarter Lifestyle Mall
72 Waterkant Street, De Waterkant
+27 (0)21 421 1111
Comedy, costume and couture – don't miss these
Raid your wardrobe for your most outrageous costume and celebrate your individuality at these spectacular events:
MCQP is held annually with different themes each year. Photo © Cape Town Tourism
Cape Town Pride Festival 2012
Fabulous doesn’t even begin to describe this nine-day pink extravaganza. From pool parties to red-hot modelling, risqué comedy showcases and the coup-de-grâce float parade, this celebratory festival is a must-do!
Date: March 2 to 11
Location: Cape Town City Bowl
Tel: 0861 9 PRIDE (77433)
Email: info@capetownpride.co.za
Website: www.capetownpride.org
The Mother City Queer Project is one of the oldest lifestyle parties in Cape Town. Now in its 19th year, this is the Southern Hemisphere's ultimate costume party.
Date: mid-December
Location: TBC
Email: info@mcqp.co.za
And for a touch of culture, Cape-style
No one does musicals, feathers, sequins and drama like Cape Town, so treat yourself to a night out at any of our gorgeous theatres or restaurants and sample these entertaining shows:
Beefcakes Burger Bar
This delicious establishment offers much more than just tasty burgers and even tastier barmen.
Whether you’re trying your luck at Bitchy Bingo on Tuesdays or singing along to popular hits by the Mother City’s most talented drag queens on Wednesdays, there's no shortage of quality entertainment at Beefcakes.
Location: Beefcakes Burger Bar, 40 Somerset Road, Green Point
Contact: +27 (0) 425 9019
Website: www.beefcakes.co.za
Bubbles Bar
Home to Cape Town’s most well-known drag queen, Ms Lola Lou, this quaint and cosy bar packs a mean entertainment punch with nightly performances and an open night for aspirant artists on Wednesdays.
Location: 125a Waterkant Street, De Waterkant,Cape Town
Contact: +27 (0)72 277 2392
Coward and Cole: Johnson and Perold
Be swept away by the musical talents of pianists and singers Godfrey Johnson and Roland Perold at the charming Kalk Bay Theatre.
Date: March 7 to 24
Location: 52 Main Road, Kalk Bay
Website: www.kbt.co.za
Le Moulin Rouge
Don’t miss the local production of this classic love story and theatrical masterpiece set in Paris during World War II.
Date: March 14 to 17
Location: Artscape Theatre, Cape Town
Contact: +27 (0) 861 915 8000
Website: www.computicket.com
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