South African electronic music duo Goldfish have toured the world with their mix of live instruments and house beats. Dom Peters and David Poole share their favourite summer bars and party venues – in no particular order…
- SHIMMY BEACH CLUB
Cape Town, South Africa
A no-brainer for us: it’s where we hold our Submerged residency over December and January every year when we are back in South Africa. It’s a beautiful, outdoor Ibiza-style club and bar, with world-class music and the Mother City’s iconic Table Mountain as its backdrop.
- OCHO
Miami, USA
This is the legendary Soho Beach House hotel’s rooftop bar. The restored Art Deco building on Miami’s South Beach has a beach bar and a rooftop bar, but it’s the one upstairs we go to whenever we’re there. The 8th-floor rooftop terrace has a taqueria, tequila bar and plunge pool with cool ocean views. No cameras allowed, epic cocktails and a great place to people-watch.
- FIREHOUSE
San Diego, USA
In 2016, we swapped Cape Town for San Diego, and our new home city has a huge variety of bars and clubs. Firehouse is our favourite right now: it’s in the chilled Pacific Beach neighbourhood and, being just a stone’s throw away from the ocean, it has killer views. It goes from mellow tapas and sundowners with a sea breeze during the day to a raging club at night. Lots of fun!
- SKYE
São Paulo, Brazil
We stayed at the incredible Hotel Unique earlier this year while playing a sold-out party for 2 500 Goldfish fans in the basement … and that should tell you what we’re dealing with. The hotel is shaped like a massive sailboat (or a watermelon, depending on who you talk to), and is a unique experience from top to bottom. The rooftop bar Skye is spectacular, with glass walls and sweeping views of São Paulo’s endless skyline.
- ESCAPE BANGKOK
Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand’s capital city has no shortage of rooftop bars, but this one in the EmQuartier mall is definitely something you should include in your itinerary. It’s new – a good friend of ours actually runs the bar and restaurant, so he really spoilt us when we were there earlier this year to play at a festival. It’s a great escape from the craziness of the city, with a cool vibe, beach-style decor, delicious Thai food and lethal cocktails.
- THE ROOF
New York, USA
This is a super-cool rooftop bar at the legendary Output Club in super-trendy Williamsburg. With a prime view of the Manhattan skyline, the terrace has two levels and lots of cushioned seating, so it’s a good place to take a breather from the madness in the two rooms downstairs (each with its own DJ). During summer weekend afternoons, there are rooftop-only events for those who like their electronica in the sun.
- SUNSET ASHRAM
Ibiza, Spain
One of the most beautiful bars and restaurants on the island, it is situated on the peak between the golden beaches of Cala Conta on the west coast. This is the place to go to witness the legendary Ibiza sunsets while listening to trippy Balearic beats and drinking mojitos – and in keeping with the island’s tradition, everyone applauds as the sun dips below the horizon. Ask any long-time visitor or local, and they’ll tell you it’s their favourite place. Come early: it will get busy.
- GRAND AFRICA CAFÉ & BEACH
Cape Town, South Africa
Set in a restored warehouse that opens out onto a private beach in Granger Bay near the V&A Waterfront, this Cape Town legend is a perfect place to watch the sunset while chilling on one of the big, comfy loungers. The food is fresh and delicious, and they have a fantastic cocktail menu. Needless to say, this spot has hosted some epic summer parties…
- SKYBAR
Los Angeles, USA
A discreet white door on Sunset Boulevard will lead you across wood flooring to the ivy-covered walls and high, white-draped windows of this swanky LA spot on top of the Mondrian hotel. By day, the city’s beautiful people lounge by the pool; when the sun goes down, the party starts. It’s one of our favourite pool parties to play at – it’s Hollywood in bikinis and board shorts.
- CAFÉ MAMBO
Ibiza, Spain
We will always have a special place in our hearts for this bar in the town of San Antonio. It was the first place we ever played in Ibiza, opening for BBC1 legend Pete Tong 10 years ago. Much of our career could be attributed to that 20-minute performance: we landed our Pacha Ibiza residency (and basically our international touring career) off the back of that. You never know when your big break is coming, or what it will look like – but when it comes, be ready! Mambo has hosted pretty much every top DJ and producer in the world; it’s a great place to watch the sunset and start your night on the island.
WORDS Sibusiso Mkwanazi
