Many of Cape Town's so-called 'clubs' are merely well-adorned bars, but the city's sizzling summer nights keep the dance floors full to bursting and there's an irresistible charm to the bustling interiors of über-cool spots like Joburg (218 Long Street, +27214220142, www.lb-lounge.co.za) and the Moroccan-themed, English-adored Fez (38 Hout Street, Greenmarket Square, +27214234889, www.fez.co.za). B-list models rub glitterati shoulders with beautiful celebs at Rhodes House (60 Queen Victoria Road, +27214248844, www.rhodeshouse.com), a converted mansion once owned by mining magnate Sir Cecil John Rhodes; while locals go to hip and hop at Galaxy (College Road, Rylands Estate, Athlone, +27216379132), a Cape Flats institution known by its friends as 'The Gal'.

You might be surprised to find both gals and guys grooving at the city's oldest and boldest gay club, Bronx Action Bar (35 Somerset Road, De Waterkant, +27214199216, www.bronx.co.za) in De Waterkant. This neighbourhood is the closest Cape Town gets to a gay ghetto - the city is South Africa's pink capital and these days most straight-owned venues are gay-friendly (and vice-versa).

When South Africa's leading rock acts roll into town, they'll invariably end up gigging at the chilled-out Mercury Live (43 De Villiers Street, Zonnebloem, +27214652106, www.mercuryl.co.za) but if you'd prefer to make your own beats, try your hand at an African djembe at the Drum Café (32 Glynn Street, Gardens, +27214611305, www.drumcafe.com).

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