Entertainment in Johannesburg
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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Market Theatre
The most important venue for live theatre has three live-theatre spaces (Main, Laager and Barney Simon Theatres) as well as galleries and a cafe. There is always some interesting theatre, ranging from sharply critical contemporary plays to musicals and stand-up comedy – check the program in the Mail & Guardian entertainment section.
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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.
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Roxy's
This clubbing stalwart is one of the oldest and best-known venues in Jo'burg for pop and hard rock on the weekends. It's the local clubbing multiplex, in fact, with multiple bars and dancefloors that fill up with a younger crowd of mostly university students. During the week, nights vary from comedy to theme parties to karaoke.
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Crazy 88
Hosts up-and-coming and big-name bands and a host of DJs from around the country. It’s all here – house, hip hop, rock and jazz, and there are chilled-out Sunday sessions and more raucous fancy-dress parties on Friday and Saturday night. The mixed crowd is grounded and attitude-free.
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The Red Room
The Red Room's sole focus is music. Every Saturday night The Red Room wakes up when the dance set arrive and do their thing, shaking it to new and old alternative favourites like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Billy Idol, Marilyn Manson, Wolfmother and Nine Inch Nails.
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Six
They haven't pulled out many stops decorating this place - the generous might call it 'industrial chic' - but it stays open later than most during the week, there are some decent cocktails on show, and punters come for the vibrant, unpretentious atmosphere.
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Buzz 9
Funky multilevel bar with metal banisters decorated with birds, moon, stars and even spacemen. There’s a large menu of potent cocktails, all around the R30 mark, and light snacks are available. The action spills out onto sidewalk tables when it’s busy.
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Bassline
A fantastic live-music venue, Bassline hosts major players on the South African and international music scene. It’s known for its jazz and blues performances but you’ll also catch world music, hip hop and rock.
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Tokyo Star
Anime chic and loads of plastic characterise this trendy, noisy Tokyo-style bar where young people nightly learn the rules of seduction and break the laws of attraction. Asian snacks such as tempura (around R22) are served.
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Carfax
This converted factory space is one of the most popular joints in town. Local and international DJs play house and hip hop to an eclectic crowd. Not as cool as it once was, but it’s still a fun night out.
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Cool Runnings
Reggae is a perennial favourite in Jo'burg, so it is no surprise that this franchise of Jamaican-style bars is popular. A relaxed atmosphere, thumping bass-lines and late, lively nights are a sure thing.
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Roka Lounge
Popular with students, this place hosts insane theme parties and has regular live music (jazz on Wednesdays) and DJs spin at the weekend. There are great cocktails and food is served till midnight.
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Blues Room
One of the best jazz clubs in the city, attracting jazz, blues and even rock artists from around the world and South Africa. It’s popular with after-work suits and can be a bit staid, however.
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Mo Café
This camp, retro-style affair offers beautiful people, stacks of irony and lashings of orange décor. Fashionable facial hair is a must. There's a full food menu for late-night munchies.
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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).
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Trance Sky
A loud, lively place decked out with bright colours and Moroccan lamps. The pumping tunes and two-for-one cocktails attract a young and up-for-it crowd from the local uni.
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Ruby Blue
Plays a mix of hip hop, R&B, commercial house, ’80s and ’90s, to students and young professionals who come for the unpretentious vibe and the cheap shooters.
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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.
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English Pub
Offering plenty of rough-and-tumble action and an English pub-style ambience, this is a good spot on the weekends for determined drinking and lively banter.
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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.
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Berlin Bar
Retro-chic bar full of floral ’70s-style sofas and tasselled lamps, like a funked-up version of grandma’s living room. Arty types flock here.
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