Cruising G-town

Grahamstown is known for its awesome parties, great nights out and those evenings you just wish you could remember the next morning. Despite Grahamstown’s small size, there is no shortage of places to check out. Here are Activate’s hottest spots for 2009:

The Rat and Parrot

Rat and Parrot is known as the heart of the Grahamstown party scene and you will probably know how to get to the Rat before you know where your classes are. On Fridays the Rat is where most people start their evenings and don’t forget R10 draft night on Tuesdays. The food is brilliant during the day and any sports game must be viewed at the Rat – it just isn’t the same anywhere else.

The Union (“Bantu Stephen Biko”) – The Union is at its busiest on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. A great way to celebrate the middle of the week and warm up for the weekend, the Union is usually a pit stop before an evening at Friars or EQ. Don’t miss out on cane train Thursdays or those unforgettable mid-week themed parties which are a must in your first year.

Olde 65

Famous for their cheap drinks, shooters specials and good burgers, Olde’s is a good alternative to The Rat and Parrot. It is also the place to watch soccer games in a friendly and enthusiastic environment

Friar Tucks – it’s not exactly UCT’s Tiger Tiger, in fact it resembles more of a barn, but it’s still a great place to dance until 4am. Friar’s also has good promotional parties and specials. Get yourself on their SMS list to find out more about what is going down on that side of town.

Equilibrium (EQ) – EQ features some of Grahamstown’s best DJ talent and often has performances from some of SA’s local regulars, including DJ Fresh and Lady Lea. It’s just up the road from The Rat and is one of the biggest parties on Friday and Saturday nights.

Café Blanca

The recently opened Café Blanca, situated conveniently in High Street, is open day and night. During the day bottomless coffee and scrumptious muffins are a great pit stop between lectures and at night it converts into a cool outside space where you can relax with your choice of a number of great cocktails.

Slip Stream Sports Bar – similar to EQ, SSS is the only place in Grahamstown with a pool table and a strip pole. Use at your own discretion.

The Old Gaol – for the more alternative of you, Old Gaol is a place to seriously chill out. It is not usually as packed as the Rat or Friars but they have great live music nights and bands performing every so often. Don’t forget to try out the on-site restaurant.

Cow Moon Theory

and for the even more alternative of you, Cow Moon Theory offers hubbly, hot chocolate and a wide variety of music catering for different tastes. Cow Moon Theory is a good place to calm down and have a chilled night out.

The Botanical Gardens (aka the Bot Gardens) – a beautiful space, perfect for relaxing picnics or even a study sessions. It’s great to visit with a group of friends and take a break from the pace of campus life.

Grey Dam – situated just outside Grahamstown, Grey Dam is a nice get away, great for a braai with your friends on a Sunday or for a walk about.

The Yellow House

Serving the best pizzas and cocktails in town, Yellow House is a good place to have birthday parties and predrinks on nights out.

But no matter where you go in 2009, remember to be safe and drink responsibly. Keep an eye on Activate’s upcoming events box for all the best upcoming gigs and specials in 2009.