Must see nightlife in Johannesburg

A superlative addition to Jozi's inner city, Mad Giant offers excellent craft beers (brewed on-site) paired with delectable Asian-inspired tapas dishes at…

Mooteebar – a play on the Zulu word muthi – serves upscale cocktails inspired by South African traditional medicine. The hand-drawn menu describes the…

Fun and friendly Great Dane is one of the mainstays of the ever-changing Braamfontein bar strip. The music is very danceable and staff make you feel like…

This plant-packed oasis offers great city views of Jo'burg. Enjoy cold beers, cocktails and bar snacks as you watch the city go by at this rooftop jungle…

This slickly designed members' club and co-working space in Rosebank's most trendy location throws open its doors each day at 4pm to anyone who would like…

There's a cool 1920s prohibition feel to this welcoming space with a long wooden bar and outdoor tables right on the Tryone Ave shopping strip. It's hard…

True to its name, A Streetbar Named Desire is a trendy bar overlooking the street. The first-floor balcony offers a nice view of busy Jan Smuts Ave; at…

Bertrand is a Jo'burg coffee shop that feels more like a charmingly cluttered Parisian flat. Crammed with comfortable couches and second-hand knick-knacks…

Tilt is a welcome addition in Melville, which has many great restaurants and bars but few great coffee shops. This tiny, Cape-Dutch-style building is just…

Jail cell bars from the old prison at Constitutional Hill form part of the decoration of this rough chic cocktail bar run by the social enterprise Dlala…

Artisanal coffee, tea and a few baked treats is all you’ll get at this roaster but, man, are they good. The espresso is dark and intense, brewed by…

Craft Coffee is hidden on a side street surrounded by graffiti-painted industrial buildings and art studios. Originally founded as a commercial coffee…

It's best to make a reservation for this unsigned speakeasy-style cocktail bar as it's a pretty intimate place. Pull up a seat at the bar and the friendly…

Six has single-handedly shifted the 7th St dress code, thanks to its so-far-above-average cocktails and so-better-looking-than-you clientele. This is a…

Toninos is a classic Jo'burg dive bar, complete with pool table, Wednesday evening karaoke, and a DJ playing 80s and 90s pop hits until late into the…

The sheer length of the bar makes this high-end Braamfontein haunt worth a visit, and the length of the drinks menu is reason enough to stay. There's also…

Flynn Coffee is in an unexpected spot for a hipster coffee shop – in a tiny brick building outside a furniture warehouse in the industrial suburb of…

The massive, rectangular bar takes centre stage in this lively place awash with people getting jolly on the abundant cocktails and craft beers. The decor …

In a town with few outwardly LGBT-friendly bars, Ratz nails its rainbow colours to the mast, offering cheap cocktails (just R35 until 8pm), ‘80s rock and…

In a neighbourhood filled with university students, Artivist proudly bills itself as a bar for the working class (ie. working professionals). Artivist…