21/05/2025
We’ve partied in the warehouse for 3 years in a row — this year, we’re doing something new.
But first, a bit of history:
Back in early 2004, Antonio (from Gandalf’s, One Ring, ROAR, Mordor, Pandemonium, Trenchtown) came to me and said:
“Stef, I want you to open a goth club.”
It had always been my dream, so I said no — it felt too big to be real.
But a little later, he asked again. This time, I agreed to check out the venue he had in mind.
He showed me 89 Lower Main Road in Observatory. It had potential. I said yes. With the help of my friends, we did it. The rest as they say, is history.
That’s how Gotham 1 was born — it opened on Saturday, January 15, 2005.
Then on March 24, 2012, Gotham 2 opened next to Gandalf’s.
We had an amazing run. I’ll always be grateful to Antonio for enabling us to have a place that felt like home —
a safe space where goths/likeminded people could just be themselves, dance, and relax.
Even after Gotham closed, Antonio always helped us keep the scene alive by letting us use his venues for goth and dark alternative parties. (After I stopped hosting the regular events, Ike and Gothic the resurrection, as well as Re-animator with Sanctuary stepped in)
Without him, Cape Town’s goth/dark scene wouldn’t be where it is today.
Without those early days, World Goth Day (WGD) Cape Town might not have become what it is now — this year marks our 16th year being part of it!
Now to the present:
This year, we’re celebrating World Goth Day Cape Town at Trenchtown.
Here’s what you can expect:
We have the entire venue — once you're through the door, it’s all WGD!
2 dancefloors - Main floor, and chill room/floor. Bela Lugosi's listening lounge (Gotham institution) is making a comeback.
Your purveyors of dark sounds on the night are
Lilith - Corvus - Lucien - Cruella de Bellville - Minstrelprincess - Neverwhere - Reanimator - Myster-I
Full WGD décor
Lights, smoke, and all the party vibes
2 bars
Lots of seating
Delicious food (Trenchtown pizzas are some of the best in Cape Town)
A market area
Extra security (to walk people to their cars or Ubers after — this was super important for us)
Entry: R100 (Cash or card at the door)
Doors open: 8 PM
Let’s show Antonio how much we appreciate everything he’s done for us all these years.
