Joburg, you little night owl.
Johannesburg, South Africa (07 September 2026) – Time Out has released its latest list of the world’s best cities for nightlife. Our one and only Joburg has landed firmly in the top 10! Seventh, to be exact.
Jozi landed just behind heavyweights like Bangkok, Berlin, New York City, Melbourne, São Paulo and Medellín, with Amsterdam, Madrid, Seoul, Hong Kong and Mexico City all ranking lower on the list.
The list is a collaboration between Time Out worldwide and Intrepid Travel. It asked more than 24,000 people across the world about nightlife where they live, including how affordable it is, how easy it is to find community and what people enjoy doing once the sun goes down.
Joburg scored well for connection – 80 percent of locals said it’s easy to find a sense of community in the city. Jozi also scored 66 percent for affordability, which, considering what a night out can cost in some of the other cities on this list, is another little win.
Here’s what TimeOut says about how SA’s City of Gold ranked:
“Jo’burg was not only voted one of the cheaper cities for night out on the list, with an overall 66 percent affordability score, but a whopping 80 percent of people living there said it’s easy to find connection and community in the city. Clubbing, casual pubs and cocktail bars were voted the city’s best after-dark activities.”
Joburg’s nightlife has always been quite the shapeshifter. Venues do come and go, favourite spots move, and the city always finds new dancefloors.
Time Out pointed to Gwigwi Mrwebi Street, where several clubs sit side by side and the music moves between deep house, techno, afro-house, gqom, drum and bass and whatever keeps the room moving. Melville and Rosebank also got a mention for neighbourhood-favourite cocktail bars, live music and shows.
The world has officially noticed that Jozi knows how to jol!
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