Other entertainment in South Africa
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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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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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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 rather psychotic-looking wooden moose-head watches 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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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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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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Wanderers Stadium
The most important cricket venue is the impressive Wanderers Stadium, just off the M1 freeway to Pretoria. Either watch from the stands or head to the grassy banks near the Western Pavilion and braai yourself a steak while you watch a local limited-overs match or see South Africa’s best take on an international team.
reviewed
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Centre for Jazz
University of KwaZulu-Natal has contemporary music and jazz performances every Wednesday afternoon at 5pm during university term. Performers vary from township jazz players and professional performers (the likes of Jimmy Dludlu and Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse) to student performers.
reviewed
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Franki Bananas
This upmarket cocktail bar is the current place to be seen. It’s popular among students and young professionals, especially Thursday through Saturday. Good nightly specials are on offer – Monday is beer and burger night (R45). Note, only ever take a taxi to and fro.
reviewed
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Old City Hall
The incredibly active Cape Town Philharmonic leads the way on the Mother City’s classical-music scene, performing concerts mainly at Old City Hall as well as at the performing arts complex Artscape, the Waterfront and elsewhere around the Cape.
reviewed
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Xai Xai Lounge
This is one for the modern hippy. A crowd of arty intellectual types engage in heated conversation over cocktails, Mozambican beer and shellfish (a half-kilo of prawns is R110).
reviewed
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Clapham Grand
The newest and smartest top class, two-storey nightclub. It’s part of an international chain, and was opening at time of research. Tuesday night is student night.
reviewed
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Turffontein Race Course
There are several horse-racing tracks, but the best known is Turffontein Race Course, 3km south of the city. There are race meetings most weeks.
reviewed
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Imax
If it’s a large screen that you’re seeking, the grandest addition to Jo’burg’s entertainment scene is the Imax.
reviewed
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C
Crystal Bar
The place to come to join an attitude-free crowd of locals sipping cocktails in faux Roman–themed glory. There’s decent food here too.
reviewed
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St Tropez Sofa Lounge
An older crowd get their groove on to R&B and popular house at this fun, lively place. There are regular theme nights and live bands.
reviewed
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D
Springbok Bar
Big-screen sports, drink promotions, cheesy theme nights and inebriated students are the name of the game at this big, raucous joint.
reviewed
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Deon Nagel's Gat Party
Deon Nagel ’ s gat party is held on the first, second and last Saturday of the month.
reviewed
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Kyalami
Kyalami, off the M1 between Jo’burg and Pretoria, is the venue for motor sports.
reviewed
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Kirstensbosch Tea Room
reviewed
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E
Zanzibar Lounge
This place offers a relaxed vibe, a balcony area for lounging and a theatre where shows are held occasionally.
reviewed
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F
Pub
A sometimes rowdy joint where the beer and the steaks flow freely. It’s pub-crawling distance from Jock & Java.
reviewed
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G
Knysna Movie House
If you fancy catching a flick, try this two-screen theatre on Main St.
reviewed
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H
Tollies
Dros, the Terrace and Tollies, clustered together in the Drostdy Centre complex, just off Bird St and north of the Braak, are among the liveliest bars. Tollies brews its own beer (dark lager R8).
reviewed
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I
Terrace
Dros, the Terrace and Tollies, clustered together in the Drostdy Centre complex, just off Bird St and north of the Braak, are among the liveliest bars. Tollies brews its own beer (dark lager R8).
reviewed
