Johannesburg nightlife – pubs, clubs & bars
Posted on 16. Mar, 2010 by Crystal in Johannesburg
Nightlife in Johannesburg is particularly buzzing and varied with the party scene here renowned as some of the liveliest in the country. Johannesburg bars span the spectrum with everything from down-to-earth traditional pubs to chic champagne lounges. Many Johannesburg bars also have their own African and international kitchens and serve great grub into the night. Clubs in Johannesburg are also more plentiful than in other South African cities and you can find somewhere to dance your socks off every night of the week.
If you are wandering where to go out in Johannesburg, we have all the answers here in JF’s guide to Jo’burg nightlife. The best Johannesburg pubs can be found in the city’s Central East area, whereas most of the trendy Johannesburg bars and clubs are located in the north. For fun and down-to-earth nightlife and live music in Jo’burg head to the Central West area or the Central Business District.
Check out these Johannesburg bars, pubs and clubs:
North
Aruba Lounge
Banbury Cross Village, Corner Hans Strydom and Olivenhout Str, Northriding, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)82 604 5597
Aruba lounge has huge cocktail and sushi menus and big name DJs rock commercial dance and house tunes every Thursday and Saturday nights
Billy the Bum’s
Pine Slopes Centre, Corner Witkoppen Rd and The Straight, Fourways, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 4652621, Email: info@billythebums.co.za
‘Bums’ means ‘Basic Up Market Socialite’ and this is the crowd you can expect to find here. Great cocktails served with a rowdy atmosphere
Black Orchid
Northlands Deco Park, Corner Witkoppen and Newmarket Rds, Northriding, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 462 8702
Black Orchid is for discerning professionals, hosting various events and upmarket performances. The music is varied but the dress code is strict
Olive Lounge
Shop 24 Olivedale Corner Shopping Centre, Corner Pres Fouche and Olive Road, Tel: +27 (0)11 704 6549
Olive Lounge is super-trendy but also laid-back. The music is varied and they host fun parties every weekend
Paddy’s Sports Cafe
Canterbury Crossing, Corner Bram Fischer and Hunter Street, Ferndale Ferndale, Tel: +27 (0)11 781 3826, Email: paddyspool@mweb.co.za
Paddy’s Sports Cafe does what it says on the tin. It’s an Irish sports bar. It also serves good pizza and western bar food
Manhattan
19 Wessels Road, Rivonia, Sandton, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 803 7085
Manhattan is a classy club that plays a wide range of music from old-school to modern. There are a total of eight bars around the busy dance floor
Central East
Afrodisiac & Voodoo Lounge
Corner Civin Dr and Linksfield Dr, Linksfield, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)82 218 3698, Email: info@theafrodisiac.co.za
The Afrodisiac and Voodoo Lounge grill house serves up authentic African cuisine and hosts party nights with top dance DJs.
Blue Naartjie
8th Street, off Louis Botha, Orange Grove, Johannesburg
Blue Naartjie is a down-to-earth and grungy bar that makes a change from the pretentious Jo’burg venues in other areas
Die Kneipe
Queenstreet, Corner Langerman Drive, Kensington, Tel: +27 (0)11 616 8760
Die Kneipe is a German pub with good food and a variety of imported beers
Radium Beer Hall
282 Louis Botha Ave, Orange Grove, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 728 3866, Email: radiumbarandgrill@telkomsa.net
Radium Beer Hall claims to be the oldest pub in Johannesburg. Plenty of memorabilia fill the walls and it boasts great food and live jazz music four nights a week
Central West
Cool Runnings Melville
27 4th Ave, Melville, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 482 4786
Cool Runnings is a chain Jamaican-style bar with good reggae and dub music, nice cocktails and fun comedy nights
Back 2 Basix
167 Perth Road, corner Perth and Lancaster Road, Westdene, Johannesburg, Tel +27 (0)11 726 6857, Email: info@back2basix.co.za
Back 2 Basixs is opposite the University of Johannesburg but not overrun with students. One of the best venues in the city for live rock and indie music
Unplugged on 7th
Shop 4, Stand 245, 7th Street, Melville, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 482 5133
Unplugged on 7th is home to an old-school jukebox and runs cheap drinks promotions. It is one of the most popular bars in this area
Moloko
160 Jan Smuts Avenue Rosebank, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)82 458 0675, Email: moloko1@telkomsa.net
Moloko is an upmarket bar/lounge frequented by a mature crowd. Music is anything from Latino to hip-hop and Thursdays and Saturdays are strictly over 25 nights
Cats Pyjamas
12 Main Rd, Melville, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 726 8596, Email: melville@catzpyjamas.co.za
Cats Pyjamas is open 24 hours a day so is a great place to go if you want to keep drinking until dawn. The kitchen is also constantly open for after hours snacks
Gin
12 Gleneagles Rd, Greenside, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)82 925 5674
Gin is a trendy bar with a great cocktail list comprising mainly of gin. The balcony is a great spot for people watching. Thursdays are the best nights here
CBD and around
Belavista Lounge
Corner Bertrams Roadd and Carnarvon Street, Bertrams, Tel: +27 (0)83 248 1207
Belavista Lounge is a laid-back pool club with a great rooftop viewing deck. They host regular live music nights with a great backdrop of the Johannesburg sunset
Foxies
Shop 1, Greenside Quarters, Corner Barry Hertzog and Gleneagles Drive, Tel: +27 (0)11 486 1312
Foxies boasts golf machines, pool tables and pretty bar girls. It is a traditional pub with some good live music
Vacca Matta
Shop 66, Montecasino, Fourways, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 511 0511, Email:
info@vaccamatta.co.za
Vacca Matta hosts many themed parties, student nights and special events. The music is anything from dance to hip-hop and it even attracts the odd local celebrity
Carfax
Carfax, Newtown Street, Johannesburg
Carfax hosts many live gigs with performers from all over Africa and the world
Citrus Lounge
38 Rogers Road Cnr Webber & Selby, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 493 4887, Email: citruslounge@telkomsa.net
Citrus Lounge is a trendy bar/club in an art-house setting. The music is varied and the crowd is fun
GoldBar
160 Jan Smuts Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, Tel: +27 (0)11 788 7380, Email: rosebank@goldbar.co.za
GoldBar is an industrial-chic lounge with good food and a trendy crowd. It is also a laid-back cafe in the day
