Where to party this holiday in Ballito

The Dolphin Coast is one of the premier New Year’s destinations in South Africa and this year promises to be as awesome as ever before.

Of course, the main attraction is the big street party in downtown Ballito that attracts literally thousands of party-goers every year. Last year more than 6000 people jumped, danced and partied as top DJ’s kept the beat going.

Also read: The best pub and grub spots on the North Coast, my bru!

But if that is not your cup of tea, or if you are looking for a place to party during the rest of the festive period, there are plenty of options on the North Coast.

Don’t worry we got your back. Here are the places we think all you club bunnies and bar flies should go to have a fantastic night.

Shakers Cocktail Bar

Where: 18 Compensation Beach Road
When: Monday-Friday 4:00 pm till late.
Saturday 12:00 pm till late.

Starting off strong we have Shakers Cocktail Bar. Shakers is considered by some to be the most popular place to go for a night out.

Overlooking the sea, Shakers feels like the middle ground between a bar and a club with a open air balcony and pool tables as well as a dance floor with all the bells – DJ’s, strobing lights and young people unafraid to let loose and have a little fun shaking it.

Shakers hosts professional DJ’s playing radio-friendly hits from Thursday to Saturday, and every night in holiday season while big-screen TVs around the venue ensure not a second of sporting action is missed.

Shakers has plenty of specials and the like to wet the throat and keep you partying, including happy hour specials from 5-7pm, Monday to Saturday as well as the occasional pool or beer pong tournament to keep things interesting.

Crush Nightclub

Where: 25 Sandra Road
When: Friday-Saturday 8:00 pm- 4:30 am

One of the largest clubs in Ballito, Crush Nightclub is a haven for the young and beautiful who want to go out clubbing. Crush is also the VIP centre during the massive street party in downtown Ballito.

It has three dance floors and the best music to keep you on them all night long.

While Crush is popular with younger people (especially during matric Rage) there is also the Sky Lounge for the over 23’s, so everyone is welcome to come party, whether you’re a dance-demon or more of a lounge-lizard when it comes to a night out.

Crush frequently has awesome drink specials and lines up the best entertainment and DJ’s to keep you going till the early hours of the morning.

The Hops

Where: 14 Edward Place
When: Monday-Sunday 9:30am-12:00am

If hitting the dance floor is not your thing there is The Hops bar and restaurant. Situated right above the beach with a direct view of the ocean, Hops is the place to be if you are a fan of watching dolphins and whales frolic while enjoying a drink and some food. One of the more popular options (for those of us beer lovers) is their bottomless draught.

The Hops crowd is a little more subdued than others, with frequent live bands and tables where patrons sit. In the off season Hops is a lovely place for an afternoon beer and a meal, but when the holidays hit it fills up quickly and offers an excellent setting for a few (or a lot) of drinks as you listen to the Indian Ocean pounding the beach in the darkness.

Overall, Hops is great place to pass the time while chilling with some mates and having long, beer-fueled discussions without having to compete with loud doof-doof music.

Bourbon Hub

Where: 60, Basil Hulett Drive

When: Monday – Sunday, 10am till late

One of the newest additions to the local nightlife, Bourbon Hub has taken the community by storm, drawing large numbers of people every weekend. Bourbon Hub offers the perfect mix of bar/pub/club – with a pair of pool tables thrown in for good measure.

They offer all the usual beers and drinks as well as an extensive wine list, G&T on tap, an awesome cocktail bar, a selection of cigars, hookas (hubbly-bubblies), delicious tapas (snazzy appetizers), scrumptious pizzas and a groovy, blue-lit mancave.

Saltyz

Where: 60 Basil Hulett Dr, Salt Rock

When: 9am till late.

Saltyz in Salt Rock is a long time favourite with locals and the number one pit stop after work for many folks.

Known for their staff – the friendliest on the Dolphin Coast – and for their famous singing waiter Tommy Mkhwanazi, Saltyz is the perfect mixture of a place for locals with a bit of a sea view from their balcony.

Saltyz offers a wide variety of pub grub such as their seafood, meat and chicken baskets as well as crispy calamari and scrumptious burgers.

Of course, Saltyz wouldn’t be Saltyz without their karaoke evenings, which gave Tommy his reputation for rocking to sokkie treffers like no-one else.

The Grandstand

Where: Shop 6, The Circle, Douglas Crowe Dr, Ballito

When:  11am – 10/11pm, except on Thursday’s (karaoke night) where last rounds are usually at 1am.

The Grandstand is a local secret and treasure. Hidden at the back of The Circle off Ballito Drive, next to the Lifestyle Centre, the Grandstand escapes the notice of most holidaymakers – making it the perfect spot for locals to relax without half of Gauteng crowding them for table room.

With a real old-school sports bar feel the only problem with Grandstand are the Liverpool shirts on the walls (we all know United is king!).

The Grandstand is famous for their massive burgers. Lots of places make claims about how big and how tasty their burgers are but if you can find one that compares to the magnificence and size that is the famous Grandstand Burger, I’ll buy it for you!

Hot Shots Nightclub

Where: 11 Arbee Drive, Tongaat
When: Friday-Saturday 8:00 pm- 4:00 am

If all roads lead to Rome then all parties that last long enough lead to Hot Shots in Tongaat.

While not technically in Ballito, Hot Shots is only 10 minutes away and well worth a visit.

The club is known for its sexy cocktails, so much so that they have two bars – one for your standard drinks and one dedicated entirely to serving titillating cocktails.

They frequently feature some of the most talented artists and DJ’s on the North Coast and draw large crowds to dance the night away. If the dance floor is not your scene, Hot Shots also has a snazzy VIP area.

It is not just a place to shake it loose though, as they also have a pool academy and tournaments to see who is actually the best shot once all the bragging is done and the balls are rolling.

>>  Ready to say ‘I Do’ on the Dolphin Coast? Meet the team ready to advise, help and deliver on your big day.

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