Posted on 20 July 2010 by Bradley Kirshenbaum
Is Roger the new Henri? Hopefully. Roughly a decade ago when Joburg’s happy and gay district on Henri Street, Braamfontein, closed all it’s doors, we thought we were doomed to the northern suburbs forever. Now Roger Road in Selby, on the southern side of the CBD, is home to two new gay bars, Rawbar and SimplyBlue. Nestled in between CitrusLounge and Lemon8, Rawbar is a welcome and stylish addition to Joburg’s rather flaccid gay scene (which includes Risque in Fourways). The CitrusLounge crew have again shown their skills at creating spaces that are conducive to, um, crowded and fun times. Promoted as an “all male cruise and booze bar”, this place isn’t for girls. Or sissies.
38 Roger Rd (corner Webber), Selby
+27 82 094 0029
Posted on 10 July 2010 by Nora A.Remark
If your idea of nightlife is about nineties nostalgia then The Oxford on Oxford Road, Illovo is the place for you. If you’re impressed by heavily made-up bottle blondes and mammoth bouncers in ’smart’ shoes, then this club will be right up your alley. Problem is – it’s not up an alley. It’s in a office block/car-park/restaurant court. You even have to exit the club and face the fluorescent lighting of the centre to get to the loo. Clubbing in Johannesburg is best when it’s about downtown discos, sublime djs, sexy views and no pretension. The Oxford feels more like a pop-up club with dated trimmings. Thumbs down.
Posted on 16 June 2010 by Nora A.Remark
Brett Bailey’s ‘House of the Holy Afro’ is finally showing in Joburg after six years of performances in Europe and Australia. It’s a show and a party in a space that’s usually a theatre but is now a pop-up club.
Hi energy, super slick, crosses many musical genres and celebrates everything we’re celebrating right now – the fabulousness of 21st century Africa. It’s original, inspired and quirky – from the 11pm starting time to the Afro kitsch outfits, from the camp drama to the disco make-up. Think Zulu Lulu on steroids – in a glitter pit.
On every night at 11pm (except Mondays) until 11 July – so a perfect party spot after the evening match.
Market Theatre Laboratory, Newtown.
Posted on 19 August 2009 by Bradley Kirshenbaum
The concept is simple; get a bunch of happy people drunk, and then only play the best sing-along songs. A little on the expensive side, but the customers are encouraged to dance on the tables…
Cnr Oxford Road and Corlett Drive. Illovo
Posted on 16 April 2009 by Bradley Kirshenbaum
There is a very particular reason why we’ve taken a photo of the sign outside The Woods as opposed to any images of the inside.
Every time Im trying to explain to people why
Newtown and the
city centre is so great, The Woods always seems to come up as the case study. The reason for this is simple; every bar owner and his cousin can go down to the Design Quarter in the north, buy up all the fancy flat screens and fancy designer couches, and have themselves a funky cool spot. I always mention The Woods when Im explaining how a unique concept, and all the subtle detailing can really make a place have so much more charm adn overall purpose in society. The Woods replaced the just-as-amazing Fuel Cafe, and has been one of the best providers of the Saturday night party since it opened its awesome big wooden doors.
Go in, and look around. Look at the stencils on the windows, look at how every hanging lightbulb is in its own unique wire bird cage. At the back bar, look at the kitchen sinks hanging above the bar counter, and at the front main bar, check out how they stack the liquor.
After this rant, I will however like to add, its also just one great party. They get big names, both DJ and band, all of which combined makes for a good sweat on the D floor, and you being able to dance like an idiot.
corner Carr and Quinn St. Newtown.
Posted on 29 March 2009 by Bradley Kirshenbaum
It wasn’t long ago I was peering through the bolted doors, imagining the beauty of the dormant theatre that lay beyond. Then all of a sudden, it got itself a backer, and the place got a facelift and hope at entertaining the people again. The newly invigorated theatre opened with a season of Broadway hit Rent, but the real success, came in the form of the party series The End is Nigh. For these, the auditorium is closed, and the event takes place on the large stage.
The thick steel stage door separates you from the auditorium, and spray painted on it, are the archives of the theater’s previous shows. With performances of Grease in the 80’s and other plays as far back as the 70’s, its great to be continuing the heritage.
36 Stiemens Street. Braamfontein.
083 474 6036. peaches@thealex.co.za
check out the official site
Posted on 28 March 2009 by Russell Grant
Posted on 15 March 2009 by Russell Grant
The name Tokyo Star holds a place in the heart of every hipster in Johannesburg. The club was once the mecca for many in Old Melville for the last 5 or 6 years, up until last year. Many online guides will still tell you its there! But in the winter of 2007, the club closed its doors and began rebuilding itself in the more luscious pastures of Greenside.
At that point, a scene had lost its meeting point, and many found themselves fumbling around on thursday evenings, craving an electro dance party. Gin quickly ended that dark age, and Greenside quickly became the new pretty girl in school. Once the new Tokyo Star opened, many of its converse wearing followers, looking for their long lost foozeball table, got put off by how fancy the Tokyo was, but beef was quickly put aside and a more grown up, classier club was able to flourish. Gin had now found a partner in crime in its new friend Tokyo Star, and now the two work together in providing an often very seamless party strip experience.
Nights of mention include a live acoustic music every wednesday evening.
Join their facebook group
Posted on 14 March 2009 by Russell Grant
We’ve had our eye on this place for a while. Lying quietly in the corner of Braamfontein. For a long time now, the bar has only ever really been supported by its group of dedicated locals.
The bar holds the official title of being the second oldest pub in Johannesburg having opened in 1903, and its got all the original wallpaper and detailing to back this up. The film Fuzzy John had its first public screening there in December 2008, and so people under 40 living in Johannesburg now knew where this little gem was. Since then, others are slowly starting to give it a chance, and enjoying some successful parties. Its nice and cosy, so its perfect for small intimate events. The result of this, have made the place a nice reliable venue. So any Thursday, Friday, or Saturday with little do…you know theres a spot selling sold beer, with some disco ball vibes in corner.
Join the facebook group for info on events there
Cnr Juta and De Beer, Braamfontein
