Like Johannesburg, Durban's central business district tends to empty at the end of the working day, and is best avoided at night. Most of the city's nightlife options are centred on the docks area, along the Golden Mile, and in suburbs such as Morningside and Westville.

There is, as one would expect of South Africa's major beach resort, an excellent selection of bars, clubs and restaurants.

Live music is one of Durban's strong points - many bars and restaurants offer this on some or all nights of the week, and there are some excellent specialist venues catering for fans of different genres.

Bars: Joe Kool's, Lower Marine Parade, is a long established and very popular haunt on the Norh Beach, with food and dancing. Billy the Bum's, Windermere Road, Morningside, serves cocktails on a large patio with excellent views. ‘Bum' stands here for ‘Basic Upmarket Socialite'. Keg and Thistle, Florida Road, also on in Morningside, is part of a national chain, stocking a good range of imported beers as well as local brands. Scallywags, Sea View Road, is popular with the slightly older set, and offers live music at weekends, while Thirsty's Dockside Tavern, Kings Battery, is a lively watering hole at the harbour mouth, with great views of the ships.

Clubs: Tiger Tiger, Greyville Racecourse, is one of Durban's top nightspots, with music ranging from 80s and 90s hits to dance. Casablanca, Florida Road, is a ‘Smart' entertainment venue for an ‘older' audience, with commercial top 40 music. 80s, Walter Gilbery Road, Greyville, is a very popular club close to Durban's rugby stadium, with dancing, pool and more.

Live Music: Rainbow Restaurant and Jazz Club, Stanfield Lane, Pinetown, plays host to some of South Africa's biggest names in the genre, with Sunday sessions a speciality. Friends of Music, Old Fort Road, caters for all tastes, from jazz to classical. It showcases both new names and established artists. Bean Bag Bohemia, Windermere Road, Greyville, is an unusual restaurant/bar housed in a listed colonial building, and features a wide variety of music and entertainment.