Africa's biggest and richest city has got the nightlife to match, from world-class theatre and live music to mega-hip lounge bars and epic nightclubs. Jazz fans should amble their way to legendary Kippies in Newtown, and to the nearby Bassline. The Civic Theatre hosts major live productions, while plenty of smaller venues have minor plays, cabaret shows and reviews.

Nightclubs tend to open around 11pm and will charge an entrance fee. They stay open all night and drinks are expensive. Many top clubs are positioned in the lively city center of Johannesburg, or funky areas such as Orange Grove and Melville. The affluent suburbs of Sandton, Hyde Park and Melrose Arch are home to the more plush and modern clubs frequented by an unlikely collection of models, stock brokers, bikers and trust fund kids.

If taking your chances on the dangerous roads is not enough for you, head for the many casinos on the outskirts of the city. Montecasino, near Fourways, and Caesars Palace, near the OR Tambo Airport, are the best. Apart from the various money-relieving gaming tables and slot machines, there are live shows aplenty.

For local listings see www.jhblive.co.za, the Friday editions of the Mail & Guardian and The Star, or the Johannesburg edition of Timeout.