The 11 best clubs and nightlife in Durban

Get ready to squeak some takkie and dance your heart out at Kingston Beach Club. Located in Hollywoodbets Kings Park Rugby Stadium, on Jacko Jackson Drive, this spot is an integral part of Durban’s nightlife. From monthly events to delicious cocktails, Kingston is the quintessential spot for a big night out. Specials and birthday bookings are always available. It’s a jol on any given weekend, but it’s even better when there’s a rugby game on. Front row seats to all the action and an after-party celebration - what more could you ask for? Check out their social media @kingstonbeachclub to find out what’s buzzing.

Just above the iconic uMhlanga pier, you will find Club 386. This joint has been the stomping ground for many a Durbanite in their youth. After having some drinks in the various uMhlanga Village bars, head to lagoon drive and on the corner you will find Club 386, formerly Raffles. Open Saturday from 21h00 to 04h00, dancing in uMhlanga Rocks is just a short trek away. As you enter, you will hear the dancefloor shake as the tunes from a local resident DJ play. Upstairs, you will find the VIP section where bottle service and private booths are standard. Stay up to date on the weekend events often, and remember, entrance is free before 22h00. Enjoy!

Spend a night among South Africa’s movers and shakers at Rockets Beach Club in uMhlanga Rocks. With the perfect view of the Indian Ocean, Rockets is where you will find carefully curated beats and bold flavours. You will be treated to the finest in local performers and will often witness international acts fill the dancefloor. On the rooftop bar, you will experience a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere while you sip on world-beating cocktails.  Rockets is not just a place - it’s a lifestyle. The kind of energy shared on a night like New Years is among the finest in South Africa. It’s a slice of Ibiza in our hometown. Do not sleep on a night out here – book a table or VIP booth and be part of the elevated social scene.

Are you ready to drop it like it’s hot at Tiger Tiger? At this joint, it’s straight up bangers. A mix of local and national DJs electrify the dancefloor with Hip-Hop, EDM, Bhangra, Amapiano and more. It’s open every Friday and Saturday, but there is regular midweek mayhem. It’s a place to go after dark where the drinks start flowing and people start dancing on elevated surfaces. The music is diverse and the club is spacious. Keen for a big night out? WhatsApp 069 643 3574 for enquiries.

Looking for the ultimate night out? Head to Azar. This is where you can find Durban's finest up-and-comers taking over the dancefloor. This intimate, social experience changes per event. On occasion, it’s all about Amapiano sounds in a chilled environment, but this joint can become a powerful turnup. In the middle of Morningside, you will find this neon-lit haven of fun. Azar is where everyone in Durban has a story about a night out there.

A rooftop experience with the best view of Durban awaits at Legacy Yard. Suited in the uMhlanga Arch, this hotspot is where Durban’s most cultured come out to play. Here, you can experience curated events with local DJs firing up the dancefloor. If you are looking to groove with a fancy cocktail or relax with your crew against a spectacular backdrop, Legacy Yard is the place for you. Downstairs, you will find a variety of delicious restaurants that will pair well with whatever you are drinking. At the Legacy Yard bar, make sure to try their iconic alcoholic slushies and signature shooters. Ready for your next night out? Connect with the team on social media.

One of the best clubs in South Africa, and a guarantee of a big night – welcome to Origin Night Club. This spot is an immersive experience, with multiple dance floors curated with different genres of music. This late night jol is open every Saturday night and occasionally midweek nights during public holidays. Enter from 18h00 and finish partying at 04h00. Get amped, and visit this spot on 9 Clark Road, Durban. For seamless entry, buy tickets online. Oh, and by the way, if you’re in town for Halloween, the celebration is legendary at Origin.

This joint puts the chill in Conchilla. It’s the ideal location for the grown-ups to have some tapas and drink while shimmying your way to the dancefloor. “Leave your troubles at the door and embrace the adventure that lies ahead…” Indulge in the finest of cocktails while chowing down on something scrumptious. This venue is sophisticated fun with one of the North Coast's best views of the ocean. If you are looking to start the party early, there’s a weekly lunch special from 12h00-17h00.

Spend your day at Ground Zero where the team behind this place takes it back to basics: good drinks, great vibes and cool music. It’s a relaxing daytime restaurant that flips into a full-on club by night. Located on 120 Stella Road Hillary Durban, you will dance until dawn at this local joint. The DJs play all the hits and the servers keep the drinks flowing. If you’re in the Durban Central area, this is an authentically local place to try. Be prepared to get rowdy, let your hair down and leave it all on the dance floor.

One of Durban’s most iconic clubs is making a comeback. If you are into something a little different, The Chairman is a classic jazz and blues experience. From international legends, to proudly KZN folk – The Chairman lights up Mahatma Ghandi Street with culture. Expect experimenting with music, hosted events and spellbinding performances. Once you enter this world, you may walk out a changed person. Come ready to feel, move and awaken. This is the kind of place where every note is played from the heart, so let it capture yours.

Sunsets and Mermaids, affectionately known as SunMer, is where you meet for cocktails as the sun goes down. This place is the heart of the uMhlanga village where locally caught seafood and carefully curated cocktails tickle your tastebuds. This intimate restaurant and bar is decorated with Italian coastal and KZN surf culture memorabilia. This venue can’t help but exude exciting energy with its vibrant colours and friendly patrons who invite you in. A dinner date, a night out with the gals or late-night liberation - SunMer does it all. Make sure to try out their colour-changing Blue Marlin cocktail - you will thank us later.