Entertainment in South Africa
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Hatfield
There are several bars and nightspots in trendy Hatfield, catering for all types. Yet again, Hatfield Square is a good place to start, but remember that 'guns, fireworks and motorbikes are strictly prohibited'. Unusually for South Africa, Burnett St offers a high density of bars, eateries and clubs, all cut through with lashings of backpacker bravado and student shenanigans.
You can wander between venues easily and safely, saving the endless taxi journeys that usually punctuate a night in a big South African city. It's the easiest pub crawl in the country.
reviewed
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A
Amadoda
Attempting to pull off a township braai (barbecue) and shebeen atmosphere à la Mzoli’s, but not quite matching the real thing, is this slickly decorated venue tucked away down a side road beside the railway tracks. The juke box is stacked with African, jazz and house music tracks and the butchery will provide whatever kind of meat you’d like to have grilled with your beer or rum and coke. Worth checking out late on a weekend evening.
reviewed
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B
Kink Bar & Boutique
Downstairs this seductive café-bar, with a secluded garden courtyard to the rear, specialises in ‘sensual’ food and drinks – think cocktails with names like the G-Spot, Anoymous Fondle and the Fetish (aka a classic mojito). Once you’re in the mood, go upstairs to peruse the lacy lingerie and sex toys (including leather paddles, whips and cuffs made in South Africa). Burlesque shows are promised!
reviewed
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C
Green Dolphin
This upmarket jazz venue and restaurant at the Waterfront holds the Guinness Book of Records award for highest number of consecutive nights of jazz. Shows kick off at 8.15pm. If you don’t mind an obstructed view, the admission charge is a little lower.
reviewed
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D
Rick’s Café Americane
No Sam to play it again, but everything else looks like it could be straight from Casablanca (including the famous neon sign) at this movie-themed bar and restaurant. Wear a fedora and make like Bogie and Bergman.
reviewed
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E
Herr Gunther’s
Loud, brash Germanic answer to the Irish bar, Herr Gunther’s blares out loud chart music, and platters of chips and wurst (German sausage) are washed down with gargantuan jugs of lager.
reviewed
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F
Amsterdam Action Bar
The action is mainly on the upper level where dark rooms and cubicles provide a venue for punters to dabble in whatever or whomever they fancy. At ground level, an older gay set tends to gather.
reviewed
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G
Brooklyn Mall Cinemas
The Brooklyn Mall Cinemas are among the most popular in Pretoria, but to save yourself time, it might be best to call Ster-Kinekor for listings and bookings.
reviewed
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H
Ratz Bar
This dark, cubby-like bar has rats daubed on the walls rather than running across the floors. Try one of its tasty and well-priced cocktails (R25).
reviewed
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Harvey Wallbanger’s
A smart, trendy spot on the top floor, above its very own restaurant.
reviewed
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Out in Africa: SA International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
Focusing on gay-themed films, both drama and documentary. Held in September in 2008 but dates change so check website.
reviewed
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Cape Town International Convention Centre
Since opening for business in 2003, the R582 million CTICC has barely paused for breath, packing in a busy annual program of exhibitions, conferences and other events such as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and Design Indaba. There are plans to demolish the Customs House on the other side of the raised freeways and extend the CTICC towards Table Bay, almost doubling its size and making it South Africa’s first six-star green-rated building. Step inside the main entrance to admire the giant relief sculpture in the main hall, Baobabs, Stormclouds, Animals and People, a collaboration between Brett Murray and the late San artist Tuoi Steffaans Samcuia.
reviewed
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J
Theatre in the District
The original St Philip’s Church, built in 1885, is one of the few surviving remnants of District Six. It now serves as a community theatre and arts project base. From October through to April come here on Monday night to see Woza Cape Town, a highly energetic production by a talented bunch of youngsters combining dance, song, poetry and a little drama. The show starts at around 7.15pm; arrive an hour earlier if you want to also eat the pre-show Cape Malay meal.
reviewed
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K
Labia
Now stop that sniggering! This lifeline to the nonmainstream movie fan is named after the old Italian ambassador and local philanthropist Count Labia. It is Cape Town’s best cinema in terms of price and programming. The African Screen program is one of the rare opportunities you’ll have to see locally made films. Also check out what’s playing at the two-screen Labia on Kloof, in the Lifestyles on Kloof centre around the corner.
reviewed
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L
Kippie’s Jazz International
Kippie’s, named after saxophonist Kippie ‘Morolong’ Moeketsi, has long been renowned as one of Jo’burg’s most famous establishments and one of the best places to see South African jazz talent. At the time of writing Kippie’s had closed down with renovation work slated to begin in February 2009. When it reopens it should be even bigger and better, and with a bronze statue commemorating the great Kippie outside.
reviewed
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Ster Kinekor
There’s no shortage of cinemas showing all the latest international releases, as well as a decent selection of art-house movies. Big multiplexes – run by Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro – can be found around town. For the multiplexes the best night to go is Tuesday when the usual R35 entry price drops by half to R18. See the local press for listings of films and where they are showing.
reviewed
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M
Ellis Park
The spiritual home of Jo’burg rugby is Ellis Park, just east of the city centre, which was the scene of one of the new nation’s proudest moments – victory in the 1995 World Cup. Rugby supporters are fanatical: a Saturday afternoon at the rugby can be an almost religious experience. The stadium is no longer just for rugby, however. It also hosts football matches and, for now, is home to the Orlando Pirates.
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N
Gin
A very young crowd inhabits this bar, which is part shabby Caribbean shack, part gallery, with ramshackle whitewashed furniture and pop art plastered on the walls. There’s a tiny upstairs balcony overlooking the street, tables out on the pavement, and a psychotic-looking wooden moose-head watching the action from above the bar. Cocktails are the pièce de résistance here, and house and hip hop keep the crowd happy.
reviewed
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O
Nu Metro
There’s no shortage of cinemas showing all the latest international releases, as well as a decent selection of art-house movies. Big multiplexes – run by Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro – can be found around town. For the multiplexes the best night to go is Tuesday when the usual R35 entry price drops by half to R18. See the local press for listings of films and where they are showing.
reviewed
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Stones
A popular college hang-out with funky Japanese pop art on bright-red walls, throbbing music and lots of pool tables. If the noise is making your head pound, step onto the 2nd-floor deck, play a game of table tennis or just check out the action below on Second Ave. Live bands rock the place on weekends, and there are special students’ and ladies’ nights – check out its Facebook page for the entire scoop.
reviewed
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P
Baxter Theatre
Since the 1970s the Baxter has been the focus of Capetonian theatre. There are three venues here – the main theatre, the concert hall and the studio – and between them they cover everything from kids’ shows to African dance spectaculars. They have an ongoing relationship with the Royal Shakespeare Company thanks to Capetonian actor Sir Anthony Sher who has performed here.
reviewed
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Mama's Shebeen
This faux shebeen has the air of a Jamaican beach bar about it, decked out in bright red, yellow and green rasta colours. The zebra-print walls, wire animal sculptures, and huge pic of Mandela let you know what it’s all about though, as do the (top-notch) cocktails with names like Bo-Kaap Blues and Cape Flats Colada. There is a small food menu too. Chicken stew and pap costs R45.
reviewed
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Q
Mystic Boer
Bloem’s most popular long-standing pub and live-music venue provides an eccentric twist to Afrikaner culture – check out the psychedelic pictures of long-bearded Boers on the walls. One ‘big’ band plays per month, and there are regular gigs by unsigned rock and hip-hop outfits. The bar specialises in tequila, while pizza and burgers provide the fuel.
reviewed
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Grandwest Casino
Cape Town’s long-gone Victorian post office served as the model for the florid facade of this casino. Even if gambling isn’t your thing, there’s plenty to keep you entertained, including a six-screen cinema, many restaurants, a food court, an Olympic-sized ice rink at Ice Station, a kids’ theme park, music shows and a bowling alley.
reviewed
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R
La Med
Sinking a sundowner and munching pizza at this al-fresco bar with a killer view down the length of the Twelve Apostles is a Cape Town ritual. Inside DJs and the likes of electro jazz band Goldfish play gigs later in the evening. It also gets jammed when international rugby games are screened. Keep an eye out for the easily missed turn-off, on the way to Clifton from Camps Bay.
reviewed