Tshwane nightlife – Pretoria bars, pubs & clubs
Posted on 29. Apr, 2010 by admin in Pretoria
If you feel like letting your hair down and having a night out in Pretoria, there’s plenty to keep you up until dawn. Whether you’re after a night sipping cocktails in an elegant lounge or an evening shooting shots on a packed dance floor, nightlife in Pretoria is varied enough to let you do it all and more. The lively suburb of Hatfield, particularly Hatfield Square is one of the best spots for bars and clubs in Pretoria, and locals and visitors flock here every night of the week. There are also many great live music venues in Pretoria with everything from jazz to heavy metal on offer. Other places to go out in Pretoria include the city’s trendy malls and the surrounding neighbourhoods. Check out JF’s guide to nightlife in Pretoria.
Laid back bars and pubs in Pretoria:
If you fancy starting off your night out in Pretoria slowly or simply want a chilled one with friends, there are plenty of low-key venues to have a few relaxed drinks in. The pubs in Pretoria are down to earth and friendly and many bars are a lot less pretentious than they look.
Firkin
Lougardia Building No2, Embankment Road, Centurion, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)12 663 4213
As well as a pub and restaurant, Firkin is one of the most popular live music venues in Pretoria. Local mainstream bands strut their stuff here and the vibe makes for a typical urban South African evening.
Cool Runnings Cafe
Burnett Street, Pretoria, Tel: : +27 (0)12 362 0100
This chilled out bar chain can be found in cities all over South Africa. Drinks are cheap and the music and atmosphere are truly Caribbean.
Café Barcelona
Barnard Street, Delmas Road, Elardus Park Centre, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)12 345 3602, Email: info@cafebarcelona.co.za
With great food and great gigs, Café Barcelona is a popular nightlife spot in Pretoria. The bar is well stocked and different bands play here most weekends.
Dros Restaurant Wine Cellar
Garsfontein Road, Corner of Rubenstein Drive, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)12 998 3010, Email: info@dros.co.za
If you’ve got a nose for good wine, Dros Restaurant and Wine Cellar is a bar in Pretoria you cannot miss. Wines from all around the world are served up here alongside curry, pizza and vegetarian food. Spirits and beer can also be ordered but the wine here is arguably the best selection in the country.
Herr Gunther’s Zapfhaus
Burnett Street , Hatfield Square, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)12 362 6575
This pleasant German pub and eatery is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon in the beer garden or a cosy evening in the snug. Herr Gunther’s also has a great selection of international beers and a hearty German menu.
Mask Bar
Corner of N4 and Graniet Street, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)13 741 4222, Email: H2918@accor.com
With locally inspired cocktails and a great selection of spirits, Mask Bar in Pretoria is a relaxing place to spend an evening with friends. Light snacks are also available for those who get peckish.
Raging Bull Sports Lounge & Grill
77 Biccard Street, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)15 297 7440, Email: skordi@mweb.co.za
Probably the best place in town for both breakfasts and seafood, the Raging Bull Sports Lounge & Grill has all night music, both indoor and outdoor areas, and of course all the major sporting fixtures on the big screen. There is also a children’s area and a good selection of beers, wines and cocktails.
Steak & Ale
66 Botha Avenue , Lyttelton, Tel: +27 (0)12 664 5155, Email: info@steakandale.co.za
This local favourite has been around for years and it’s easy to see why with is excellent hearty food, live music and the vast selection beers and ales.
Tings ‘n Times
1065 Arcadia Street , Hatfield Galleries, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)12 430 3176, Email: info@tings.co.za
This Jamaica themed reggae bar is super chilled and serves great food and cheap cocktails. Some funky live bands also play a Tings ‘n Times and it’s a favourite among locals and visitors alike.
Swanky bars and clubs in Pretoria:
If you feel like have a real night on the tiles while in town, you can sip Champagne with the socialites or get down and dirty in a Pretoria club. Most venues don’t have dress codes but it pays to look a bit smart if you don’t want to be starred at in the trendiest places. The nightlife in Pretoria is lively and fun, although it pays to keep your wits about you if you’re new in town.
Jazz Time Cafe
Middle Street, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)12 346 4296
The food is American themed and the music is strictly jazz in this cool Miami-style cocktail bar. The food is great and the bar tenders are particularly talented at stirring and shaking.
News Café
Corner Howick and Uagrabies Avenue, Shop 22, Value Mart Rustenburg Mall, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)14 537 3711
Despite the low-key name, the News Café is actually more of a nightclub with great DJs and a lively atmosphere. There is also a huge list of original and tasty cocktails to work your way through.
Rustenburg Sports Cafe
189 Beyers Naude Street, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)14 597 3210
A nightclub and sports bar rolled into one, the Rustenburg Sports Cafe is a friendly place to spend an afternoon in before letting your hair down on the dance floor until dawn.
Stables Club
Nelspruit Showgrounds, Rivier Street, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)13 755 4697, Email: management@stablesclub.co.za
As one of the most popular nightclubs in Pretoria, the Stables Club is a fun place to go most nights of the week. With a Wild West theme, drink promos and regular theme nights, the crowd here is generally young and rowdy. The music is whatever happens to be the latest on the scene at the time.
Vistas Bar
Sun City, Cascades Resort, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)14 557 5840
This al fresco bar is in a picturesque setting by the lake in the Cascades Resort. Vistas Bar is strictly super-stylish with a live pianist tickling the ivories in the early evening and well made cocktails to die for. The lunch menu is also pretty tasty.
Zeplin’s
Lavender West, Braam Pretorius Street, Wonderwaters Centre, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)82 787 9532
Zeplin’s has a strict dress code of no sandals and sports tops but it’s the place to go if you want to dance until dawn. There are no less than six dance floor here surrounded by four bars and there are countless special events held here throughout the year.
Crystal Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
525 Duncan Street, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)12 362 8888, Email: info@crystalrestaurant.co.za
Live Africa contemporary jazz is the flavour of every week at Crystal Restaurant & Cocktail Bar in Pretoria. There is a bar area and an eating area and international bands sometimes grace the stage.
DropZone
Burnett Street , Hatfield Square, Pretoria, Tel: +27 (0)12 362 6528, Email: info@clubdropzone.co.za
This chilled out club is the place for socialising rather than dancing, although the Latino grooves and house beats might make your feet a little itchy. There are also pool tables and a juke box plus a well stocked spirits bar.
