Babylon The Joburg Bar

This is the worst gay bar I have ever visited. I've been to gay bars all over the world in more than 20 countries over the last 20 years and the staff at Babylon in Joberg were rude mean and pretentious and treated customers with anger. I will never go back to Babylon and I encourage anyone thinking of visiting Babylon to go eslewhere.

Loved it. Discreet gay hangout. Met my life partner here!

It’s probably about the only upmarket bars in Joburg and they know it… and therefore, milk it for everything it’s worth. Entrance and drink prices verge on exploitative. The place is basically 80% straight on a good night, so don’t be fooled by the rainbows and “iconic drag” performers (iconic for what?). It’s just to lure you in and basically bankrupt you. The bartenders are adorable and friendly… HOWEVER, another example of how they have kind of dropped their “gay bar” status can be seen in the change from muscle bound hunky bartenders to pretty blonde bar ladies (don’t take my word for it, pics attached from their Facebook)… Oh and it’s basically at 300% capacity on a Friday or Saturday (COVID who?). It’s so sad and I’m super sorry for anyone wanting a GAY night on the town in Joburg.