Johannesburg
In a neighbourhood filled with university students, Artivist proudly bills itself as a bar for the working class (ie. working professionals). Artivist…
Must-see nightlife in South Africa
Johannesburg
Mellow live jazz music is the background sound to this slick and sophisticated bar and restaurant hidden behind the Hallmark Hotel. Reservations are…
Cape Town
Tucked away in the courtyard of what used to be a mortuary (but set to move to the same building's upper floor), this secret little bar is the perfect…
Drakensberg Escarpment
Owner Helen bakes everything herself and has even invented two cakes: the Middle Eastern Delight (featuring almonds, Turkish apricots, nutmeg and cloves,…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
There's regular entertainment at this convivial British-style watering hole with a good selection of craft beers and pub grub. Come for karaoke on Tuesday…
Cape Town
As well as being a rather cool cafe serving Deluxe roasted coffee and various snacks (including vegan all-day breakfast dishes), this space serves as a…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
If you’re down this way – say, after a drive along Chapman’s Peak Dr – the bar above the Red Herring restaurant is a pleasant place for a craft beer and a…
Johannesburg
What used to be a grand colonial hotel is now hipster central and epitomises the contemporary swagger of Braamfontein. By day it's a popular pub, known…
Johannesburg
Combine your wine sipping in Maboneng with some contemporary art at this bar, which shares a building with the gallery Agog (www.agog.co.za). As well as…
Free State
This sprawling alcove consists of a small courtyard, a bar and back patio off Bree St. A local favourite, it’s good for a refreshing ale after an…
Johannesburg
This long-running two-storey English-style pub on the edge of burgeoning 4th Ave holds its own against trendier upstarts. Upstairs it serves good pub grub…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
This bistro and bakery is one of the loveliest belles on Camps Bay's seafront strip, and a whole lot more relaxed and less pretentious than some of its…
Cape Town
Owner-brewer Steve Peel takes inspiration from his time at the South African Antarctic research station and brings a nautical flair to this great little…
Cape Town
Devil's Peak Brewing Company make some of South Africa's best craft beers. Their taproom and restaurant provide a panoramic view up to Devil's Peak itself…
Cape Town
Ms Kefuoe Sedia has come a long way since opening a six-seater pub in her front lounge in 1990. This spiffy, two-level, 140-seat place, with mellow jazz…
Johannesburg
Like many of Jo'burg's hip craft cocktail bars, the Little Fox is intentionally tricky to find. In a small alley around the corner from the popular…
Durban
Young and old, black and white, hip and square: Connor's Pub on popular Mackeurtan Ave attracts Durbanites from all strata of society. There's nothing…
Johannesburg
The shining light of Louis Botha’s faded nightlife, the Radium, established in 1929, is reputed to be Jo'berg's oldest boozer. The memorabilia gives the…
Cape Town
Primarily this is a laundry, which is hidden behind a shopfront festooned with colourful, arty whatnots and wine, as the place triples up as a cafe-bar,…
Green Point & Waterfront
Drive past the smelly fish-processing factories to discover this glitzy mega-club and restaurant, arranged around a small, fake beach with a glass-sided…
Green Point & Waterfront
The German-themed food offering here is unlikely to win any awards, but it's a great spot to stop for an icy stein of beer. Local and international brews…
Johannesburg
Bean There Coffee Co., one of the first coffee shops in South Africa to source 100% single-origin African coffee, has its flagship location at 44 Stanley…
Cape Town
A small crowd hangs out at this gay bar after work to enjoy drinks by the open front porch. However, from 11pm Wednesday to Saturday, the doors are closed…
Cape Town
Tucked away in the courtyard of the Woodstock Exchange, these guys have a singularly appreciative hipster audience on tap to enjoy their single-origin and…
Cape Town
'Too drunk to punk' is the apt motto for this styled-to-the-max surfers' dive bar where the music is loud and the vibe edgy.
Bloemfontein
Bloem’s most popular long-standing pub and live-music venue provides an eccentric twist on Afrikaner culture – check out the psychedelic pictures of long…
Cape Town
A stylish new addition to Cape Town's growing cocktail-bar scene, Cause Effect trains its alcoholic focus on brandy – some 70 different types, all South…
Johannesburg
One of Melville's classier drinking spots, the Lonely Hearts Club boasts overstuffed leather bar stools, a stylish outdoor courtyard, and a mouth-watering…
Cape Town
There's a cafe and restaurant on the ground floor, but the big attraction lies on the roof where they've created one of the city's less pretentious…
Cape Town
The popular Woodstock-based brewery has opened a second taproom in the student-filled suburb of Observatory. Taste their whole range on tap, including the…
Johannesburg
Impi Brewing Co, which is decorated with a Zulu warrior theme, was the first dining/drinking establishment to open in Victoria Yards, an innovative arts…
Cape Town
With entrances on both Kloof St and Rheede St, and a large courtyard in between, this branch of the Tiger's Milk chain is proving to be one of its most…
Cape Town
Although it's a barbecued-meat restaurant in true township style (line up to order a platter of chicken wings, sausages or steak with various sides),…
Cape Town
Eye-popping displays of fresh fruits and vegetables lure in the Long St passing parade for the super-healthy and tasty juice mixes and smoothies here. Try…
Cape Town
On one side of this cafe-bar they serve 'libations' – hipster-speak for anything from an espresso to a glass of wine – and on the other 'victuals': grub…
Cape Town
Siki Dibela, an ex-employee of the Vida e Caffè chain, is the business brains and barista behind the township's coolest cafe. He sells his own blend of…
Pretoria
Far from sophisticated, brash and breezy Eastwoods is popular with locals, especially at lunchtime and after work hours. There’s a large outdoor deck, and…
Johannesburg
A mural of Queen Elizabeth II with a Ziggy Stardust makeover greets you at this cute bar specialising in gin. It has around 50 different and mostly South…
Cape Town
Here since 1906, the Fireman’s is a Capetonian institution. Inside, the Rhodesian and old South African flags remain pinned up alongside a collection of…
