Long Street - Cape Town's Main Vein

LONG STREET

“Whichever way you approach Long Street you’re in for an interesting journey". It was said that Long Street has the potential to be one of the greatest streets in the world. It is described as the heart line of Cape Town. Long Street is alive, night and day. It is possible to find anything here – if you want it; you will find it. The architecture along Long Street span the early days from colonial times to the present. Long Street was not always the way it is today. It has become a more up-market place. In the 1960’s Long Street was filled with ‘whorehouses’ and sleazy alleys. A lot of that is gone, but can still be found there today. I have been offered drugs walking down Long Street before, but I never took or bought any. These are the car guards protecting our cars that are in the trade. People trade openly in the street – police do not care. Long Street was declared a white area, but that is gone now. Many Jews lived there in the past and religion is long part of Long Streets history, it was also once part of the city’s Islamic headquarter. It was a place where Muslim, Hindi and Jewish people lived in peace, however, most of them moved to the Cape Flats. Democracy changed Long Street completely, and that is why today you will find clubs, bars, etc. in the street. Someone who knows Long Street for a very long time said that "the liquor stores in Long Street are taking away its character”. In the 60’s and 70’s theatres played anti-apartheid plays, these places have now been turned into clubs, restaurants etc. However, Long Street is changing for the better.

Zula Sound Bar
Now, personally, Zula’s is my favourite place in Long Street, and you all should know that if you have read my last few entries. I’ve seen amazing bands perform and had great experiences at Zula’s. The vibe is great and it’s one of the few places where I feel comfortable when I go out - I mean, where people do not stare at you. I never know what they are thinking.

Zula Sound Bar uplifts music and 100% of the entrance fees goes to the artists – so we support South African music by going to Zula’s. And even if you are not into the live music, you will definitely have a good time anyway, because the atmosphere is wonderful. Although the music is quit different to a lot of clubs (I don’t really consider Zula’s a club, it is more like a lounge) they play music which you can dance to or just sit and mellow.

The people that go to Zula’s have no niche and they are relaxed. There’s no discrimination: black, white, coloured, gay, lesbian, straight; it does not matter. One of the owners describes it as “a home for everyone”. If we do not support places like this, corporates will move in and it would be a crying shame, said another of the owners. And I agree.


Some quotes (describing Long Street):

“Main artery of Cape Town’s cosmopolitan culture”

“Every 15 years Long Street reinvents itself”

“In the night time, it’s daytime – 24 hours”.