Port Elizabeth nightlife: A few ideas

Port Elizabeth is perhaps better known for its historical and natural heritage than its nightlife – but that doesn’t mean that it’s a sleepy place. In fact, the Friendly City has a vibrant nightlife, with nightspots catering to a wide variety of tastes.

Here are a few options to consider:

1. Gondwana Café

Situated along the Port Elizabeth beachfront, Gondwana Café is a favourite live-music venue, especially for jazz fans. Go to Gondwana for sundowners, and stay for the music.

Gondwana Café is open from 4pm to 4am, Wednesday to Sundays. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Where: 2 Dolphins Leap, Beach Rd, Humewood

Contact: +27 (0)41 585 0990

Web: www.gondwanacafe.co.za

2. Parliament Street

Parliament Street, in Port Elizabeth’s Central area, has recently undergone a facelift and is a popular city-centre place for nightspots, from restaurants to pubs and clubs.

Among the places to explore are DayZees, a gay-friendly club that’s open on Friday and Saturday evenings and stocks a reasonably priced selection of beers, shooters and cocktails, and El Dorado, a pub that’s open from 9am daily and noted for its deep house nights.

3. The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World

The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World offers visitors an array of entertainment options, including family entertainment, shopping, dining and, of course, gaming.

Set around a series of man-made lakes and gardens in the Summerstrand area, the Boardwalk’s attractions include the Supersport Arena, featuring a regular line-up of music and comedy acts, the Boardwalk Amphitheatre, 20 gaming tables and 700 slot machines, and a Nu-Metro cinema.

It’s a popular place to stay, too: of 85 reviews on TripAdvisor, 59 rated the Boardwalk’s hotel as excellent.

Says reviewer Jacqui C: “What a pleasure to stay at this stunning, 5 star seaside property in PE! From the food, to the stunning and comfortable room everything was just divine! The service was top class! and I just loved the bath tub ... so relaxing after a long day … will definitely be back when next in town.”

Where: Beach Rd, Summerstrand

Contact: +27 (0)41 507 7777

Web: http://www.suninternational.com/boardwalk/Pages/default.aspx

4. Barney’s Tavern

One of Port Elizabeth’s oldest restaurants, this beachfront venue is a favourite for sundowners. It boasts a selection of beers from around the world, offers patrons signature pub-style dishes such as steak and kidney pie and eisbein, and stages live music seven nights a week.

Where: Shop 6, the Beachfront Boardwalk, Marine Drive, Summerstrand

Contact: +27 (0)41 583 4500

Web: http://www.barneystavern.co.za/

5. Bassm3nt Lounge & Nightclub

Situated near St George’s Park, Bassm3nt Lounge & Nightclub is for lovers of house music. And it boasts two-hour Happy Hours …

Where: 17 Robson St, Central

Contact: +27 (0)76 840 7242

Web: https://www.facebook.com/bassm3nt

6. Club Shakes

Touted as Port Elizabeth’s “super club” and equipped with what is claimed to be the Eastern Cape’s biggest sound and lighting system, Club Shakes is one of the city’s premier nightclubs.

The club is open from 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as on the nights before public holidays.

Where: 5 De Villiers Road, North End

Contact: +27 (0)41 484 3823

Web: http://clubshakes.wozaonline.co.za/