The Dolphin Coast’s top nightlife destinations

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.

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 Dolphin Coast.

Here are a few places we think all you club bunnies and bar flies should go to have a fantastic night.

Lifestyle Centre

If you want to kick things off slowly before rushing off to the club, The Market and Eat Street at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre are the places to be.

From Robsons and Salsa to Alchemy and Peron Peron, The Market can be rather festive.

If clubbing isn’t really your thing, then stick it out at The Market and make your night interesting by bar hopping across all the various restaurants and pubs.

Each one is unique and all offer some amazing, thirst quenching drinks to keep you going.

An added plus is the live music which will get you up and dancing in no time.

The Hops

If dancefloors and bar hopping still isn’t your thing then head down to The Hops.

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.

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

Bourbon Hub and Saltyz

Bourbon Hub in Salt Rock draws large numbers of people every weekend and 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.

Right next door is Saltyz, which is a long-time favourite with locals and the number one pit stop after work for many folks.

Saltyz is the perfect mixture of a place for locals with a bit of a sea view from their balcony.

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 an 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.

Crush Nightclub

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.

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.