First Thursday has emerged and it provides a much needed excuse to get out into the City and celebrate the beginning of a new month. Although we as South Africans are facing some harsher restrictions, we still have some freedom to enjoy!

If this is your first First Thursday, it might seem intimidating. Where do you start, and how do you make sure you get the most out of your evening?

Here is a small survival guide for newbies – or those who want to plan their night a bit better this time around.

Remember to adhere to health and safety protocols at all times, sanitise when entering and leaving a new place and always keep your mask on.

Map your route

It’s helpful to plan which galleries you want to visit, and where you want to get your much-needed refreshments in between. Look up the galleries, restaurants and spots you like or are interested in and have a look at where they are situated. This way you won’t waste time searching for places you can’t find or wandering about aimlessly.

Take your jacket, no matter how gorgeous your outfit is

Capetonians, we can’t deny that it’s Winter anymore. We know many of you love your looks, and so do we! But remember to stay warm because nothing can ruin your night quite like being bitterly cold.

Wear comfortable shoes 

You will inevitably walk a lot, so be kind to your feet. You’ll probably spend the better half of the night out on the town (well, before curfew) so a good bet will be to wear sneakers or flat shoes.

Always move in a group

Stick with your tribe. Always move in a group when going out at night, and keep your wits about you. As much as we love our city, we can’t let that blind us to the very real crimes that happen. Don’t visibly carry valuables in your hand and don’t stop to talk to strangers if they approach you. Have the local police station or security station’s numbers stored on your phone, because it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Set a budget 

It’s easy to get caught up in all the festivities and end up spending way more money than you intended. Set a budget for yourself so you know what you’re working with. You’ll thank yourself later.

Picture: Unsplash

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