Comments on: End of an Era: Johannesburg’s Iconic Babylon Gay Club is Closing its Doors https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/01/27/end-of-an-era-johannesburgs-iconic-babylon-gay-club-is-closing-its-doors/ South Africa's leading LGBTQ news and community platform Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:30:35 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Bobby https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/01/27/end-of-an-era-johannesburgs-iconic-babylon-gay-club-is-closing-its-doors/#comment-1163513 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:30:35 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=126794#comment-1163513 When I was the resident DJ of CHAMPIONS it was straight friendly!I am straight and had no problems during my 15 years of playing their.Not just playing Champions I played a many times in well known straight clubs where guys was also hanging out.At The Pride raves I played was a lot of mixtures!Being Gay should not complain about “to many straights”The majority came their for the music and a great atmosphere!!!Thanks!!,DJ BOBBY C

]]> By: C https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/01/27/end-of-an-era-johannesburgs-iconic-babylon-gay-club-is-closing-its-doors/#comment-1163442 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:25:07 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=126794#comment-1163442 You cannot open a space for queer people then invite all the straight people cause “straight friendly”. Babylon did this to itself.

]]> By: Xman https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/01/27/end-of-an-era-johannesburgs-iconic-babylon-gay-club-is-closing-its-doors/#comment-1163413 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:56:52 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=126794#comment-1163413 In reply to Michael.

Agree, but also was always a mission ordering drinks. Spent half the night at the bar and took forever. I wanna dance at a bar / club, not stand and wait for drinks. Also you had to walk through the smoking area to get to the non-smoking area. Silly setup. And those little munchkins who purposefully bumped into you on purposefully to spill you drink and step on your show, not for me. It’s had it heyday. Time for a fresh new concept. The the recreational d…. also got out of control.

]]> By: Bobby https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/01/27/end-of-an-era-johannesburgs-iconic-babylon-gay-club-is-closing-its-doors/#comment-1163372 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:39:51 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=126794#comment-1163372 Thank you!

]]> By: Bobby https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/01/27/end-of-an-era-johannesburgs-iconic-babylon-gay-club-is-closing-its-doors/#comment-1163371 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:38:28 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=126794#comment-1163371 Don’t just give up!!I was the DJ at ex – Champions for much longer than 12 years!!!I was part of the the Birth Of CHAMPIONS!!!Do not put the blame on Covid!!!Something else is wrong…..Are you stil open so I can hop in and check and will immediately see what is wrong….
!!

]]> By: Mr https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/01/27/end-of-an-era-johannesburgs-iconic-babylon-gay-club-is-closing-its-doors/#comment-1163120 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 19:10:26 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=126794#comment-1163120 That place needed new management or to be closed down ….

]]> By: Michael https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/01/27/end-of-an-era-johannesburgs-iconic-babylon-gay-club-is-closing-its-doors/#comment-1163109 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 03:16:02 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=126794#comment-1163109 Let me connect the dots:
“declining foot traffic at queer venues”
“increasing number of heterosexual patrons”
“presence of cisgender heterosexual women”
“diluted Babylon’s role as a queer “safe space””
and then we have…
“Everyone gets along and has a wonderful time. It’s a thriving, inclusive social ecosystem,” – this last one seems a bit delusional to me.

]]> By: Tim https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/01/27/end-of-an-era-johannesburgs-iconic-babylon-gay-club-is-closing-its-doors/#comment-1163106 Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:08:06 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=126794#comment-1163106 In reply to HB.

“More to life than clubbing”?? What could that POSSIBLY BE????

]]> By: HB https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/01/27/end-of-an-era-johannesburgs-iconic-babylon-gay-club-is-closing-its-doors/#comment-1163105 Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:48:02 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=126794#comment-1163105 Surely there’s more to life than clubbing and alcohol?

]]> By: Thulane Hadebe https://www.mambaonline.com/2026/01/27/end-of-an-era-johannesburgs-iconic-babylon-gay-club-is-closing-its-doors/#comment-1163104 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:58:12 +0000 https://www.mambaonline.com/?p=126794#comment-1163104 Is it really closing? Or is this a marketing campaign?

]]>