Cape Town's party allure lands it on Time Out's Best Nightlife Cities List!
The Mother City's winning streak shows no signs of slowing down, further cementing its reputation as a world-class destination in every way.
Fresh off being named the Best City on Earth and boasting the title of World's Best Airport (shoutout to Cape Town International), the city has added yet another accolade to its growing list.
Cape Town has ranked 11th in Time Out's Best Cities for Nightlife Right Now! We're also loving the fact that three other African cities - Lagos, Cairo and Marrakesh - claimed some shine on the list.
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How the ranking works:
Time Out surveyed thousands of people across hundreds of cities around the world, asking them to rate both the quality and affordability of their nightlife. Think: clubbing, bars, pubs, live shows and more.
A panel of Time Out city editors and writers then weighed in, considering not just the party scene, but also late-night cafés, street culture, and local community hubs that keep cities buzzing after dark.
According to the survey, 77% of Capetonians rated the city highly for after-hours fun.
What makes our local night life stand out?
"Just consider the vibe of South African homegrown global stars Tyla and Black Coffee," says Time Out Cape Town Editor Selene Brophy who credited the city's nightlife appeal to its "grit, glamour, and groove."
"Favourites along Bree, Loop and Long Streets, including Athletic Club & Social and Blue Room, ensure the City Bowl District is still a magnet for nightlife. At the same time, amapiano and gqom echo through mixed-use spaces like the Homecoming Centre, Kahya Cafe and the sleek Ayepyep Lifestyle Lounge.
"While Cape Town's jazz heritage endures through intimate venues throughout the city and the annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Weekend crowds continue to pack Mojo Market and Time Out Market Cape Town, with a rise in hybrid venues and intimate listening bars such as The House of Machines all blurring the lines between bars, gigs, food and art."
The world's 20 best cities for nightlife right now:
Las Vegas
Madrid
Paris
Shanghai
Berlin
Melbourne
Brighton
Mexico City
Dubai
Mumbai
Cape Town
Warsaw
Bangkok
Lagos
Cairo
Riyadh
Amsterdam
Medellin
Marrakech
Athens
Also read: Best clubs and nightlife in Cape Town
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