Johannesburg Gay Bars

Ratz is a fun, gay-popular bar located on 7th Avenue, Melville. Here you'll find cheap drinks and especially good cocktails.

Unpretentious, maybe even a tad trashy, Ratz is a great place to drink, dance, and do some karaoke. Drinks are very cheap before 20:00 - only R35. They're practically giving them away for free!

The venue hosts theme nights and events occasionally, including 'Games Night', 'Stand-up Comedy', 'Native Jam Night', and more.

Xai Xai Lounge is a gay-friendly bar in Melville that blends late-night drinks with live music and a relaxed local crowd. The bar pours cold drafts and solid cocktails, while the kitchen focuses on Portuguese-Mozambican dishes earlier in the evening.

Live performances run several nights a week, and outdoor seating is popular for people-watching. It’s an easy stop for after-work drinks that often turns into a longer night out.