By early evening the city centre around the City Hall starts to thin out, and the people heading out for the night drift towards a handful of bars and clubs, or to the pubs and sports clubs nearer the university.
Nightlife in Pietermaritzburg is limited, and a small number of clubs dominate the scene. It suits visitors who want a low-key evening rather than a large clubbing district, and who are happy to pick one or two places and settle in. Venues come and go, so it is worth confirming that a particular place is still trading before you build a night around it.
Where to go out in Pietermaritzburg
1. The CBD, near the City Hall
The central business district is where the city's best-known club, Crowded House, is found, fairly near the City Hall. It plays pop and dance music and is described as one of the most popular venues in town. Exclusive Lounge, nearby, plays kwaito and house music.
This suits a straightforward night out in the middle of the city, with two venues close enough to move between. Note that the sources do not say whether these venues are still operating, so check before you go.
2. Armitage Road
Franki Bananaz is a cocktail bar on Armitage Road, popular with the twenties set. It suits a drinks-led evening rather than a late club night.
3. Quarry Road, off Victoria Road
The Red Door, in Quarry Road off Victoria Road, is the alternative option, playing alternative rock and punk on Friday nights. Live folk and rock music can be heard there on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
This suits anyone who wants live music or a scene other than pop, kwaito and house. As with the other named venues, the source does not confirm that it is still open.
4. Pubs and sports clubs near the university
The city also offers pubs and sports clubs, and The Stagecoach, near the university, has a pub atmosphere. This suits a quieter evening, and pairs well with the student side of town.
5. Scottsville and the Golden Horse Casino
Caffe Vacca Matta, at the Golden Horse Casino in Scottsville, takes a more upmarket approach. It serves as a restaurant in the afternoon and early evening and becomes a nightclub later on.
Dress here tends to be slightly more formal, with collared shirts and no jeans or takkies. The minimum age varies, so phone in advance.
How a night out unfolds
The sources do not set out a detailed timetable for an evening in Pietermaritzburg. What they do indicate is that at least one venue, Caffe Vacca Matta, runs as a restaurant through the afternoon and early evening before turning into a nightclub later on, and that club nights at the Red Door fall on specific evenings, with alternative rock and punk on Fridays and live folk and rock on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Plan around those fixed nights rather than assuming a full week of options.
Festivals and events worth timing a trip around
- Comrades Marathon — held every year in May, with the course alternating between the "up" run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and the "down" run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pietermaritzburg a big nightlife city?
No. The nightlife is described as pretty limited, with two or three clubs dominating the scene.
What kind of music can I expect?
Pop and dance at Crowded House, kwaito and house at Exclusive Lounge, and alternative rock and punk at the Red Door on Friday nights, with live folk and rock there on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Is there anywhere dressier for a night out?
Caffe Vacca Matta at the Golden Horse Casino in Scottsville has a more upmarket pitch, with dress tending towards collared shirts and away from jeans and takkies.
When is the best time to visit if I want to catch a major event?
The Comrades Marathon is held every year in May, which is the event the sources name for the city.
Check current opening nights and age rules before you set out, then plan your evening around one or two of the areas above.