Cape Town is South Africa's - and indeed, the African continent's - gay capital. The city has always had a strident and vibrant gay culture, and is on its way to becoming an African Sydney, attracting gay travellers from across the country and the globe. Cape Town's gay quarter , with B&Bs, guesthouses, pubs, clubs, cruise bars, video shows, restaurants with cabaret, strip shows and steam baths, is concentrated along the entertainment strips of Somerset Road and Main Road in the interconnected inner-city suburbs of Green Point, Sea Point and De Waterkant, adjacent to the centre, where a number of establishments flaunt their pink credentials by flying a distinctive multicoloured gay flag.

Cape Town hosts an annual gay party , organized by Mother City Queer Projects ( ), a hugely popular event usually held in mid-December at the River Club (tel 021 448 6117) in Observatory. People dress as outrageously as possible according to a theme (past ones have included "on safari", "underwater" and "farm fresh") and the event seeks to rival Sydney's Mardi Gras. There's also an annual gay pride festival ( ) around the same time.

Clubs and pubs
Bar 89 Woodstock 89 Roodebloem Rd Woodstock tel 021 447 0982. An elegant, beautifully outfitted gay-friendly pub in a Victorian house. Nestled in increasingly trendy upper Woodstock, it strikes a refreshing chord, halfway between an intimate local...
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Steambaths
The Hothouse Steam and Leisure 18 Jarvis St, Green Point tel 021 418 3888, info@hothouse.co.za . A luxurious pleasure complex featuring Jacuzzis, sauna, a sundeck with a superb view, a full bar with a limited food menu, video room, fireplace and satellite TV. Luxury cabins R50. Entrance R35-50 depending on days and times. Mon-Fri noon-2am, Sat & Sun 24hr.
Steamers Corner Wembley and Solan roads, Gardens tel 021 461 6210, info@steamers.co.za . The ultimate cruise venue featuring a swimming pool, steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, glory holes, leather room, cabins, voyeurs' room, sunbed and more. Feb-Nov daily noon-3am; Dec & Jan Mon-Fri noon-8am, Sat & Sun 24hr.