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Nightlife in Johannesburg is lively and dynamic. From shebeens and pubs to fancy cocktail lounges and clubs, the city has something for everyone. Melville is one of the most popular areas: there are dozens of little bars around Seventh Street. More affluent party animals favour Rosebank, Norwood, Rivonia and Orange Grove, while in the Central Business District, Newtown is a big draw. For listings on nightlife in Johannesburg, visit www.jhblive.com
Bars
Catz Pajamas
In Melville, Catz Pajamas is a 24-hour restaurant and pub housed in an old building with an iron balcony where you can watch the sun come up over breakfast after a night's partying. From insomniacs to fashionistas, it has big appeal.
Main Road
Tel: (011) 726 8596.
Website: www.catzpyjamas.co.zaCool Runnings
This spot has a reggae theme and hosts weekly live comedy in the Dungeon on a Sunday.
Fourth Avenue
Tel: (011) 482 4786.
Website: www.coolrunnings.co.zaRadium Beer Hall
One of the city's oldest bars. The Radium Beer Hall started life as a tea room in 1929, was converted to a beer hall in 1944 and has never looked back. The long bar is the original bar from the Ferreirastown Hotel from the early mining days. Decorated in vintage posters and press clippings, it has a great ambience.
282 Louis Botha Avenue, Orange Grove
Tel: (011) 728 3866.
Website: www.theradium.co.zaKatzy's
Also in Rosebank in the mall attached to the Park Hyatt, Katzy's is very popular with the northern suburbs affluent residents and offers fat sofas, chunky bricks, soft blues music and a top-of-the-range selection of cigars, cognacs and whiskies. The adjoining Grillhouse restaurant specialising in steaks adds to its allure.
The Firs, Hyatt Shopping Centre, Oxford Road
Tel: (011) 880 3945.
Website: www.thegrill.co.zaMelrose Arch
This is a trendy piazza-style complex with a number of fashionable places to eat and drink.Try the stylish bar in the Melrose Arch Hotel with its stylish dark wood bar, leather armchairs and unique modern African décor.
Corlett Drive, Melrose
Website: www.melrosearch.co.zaClubs
Monsoon Lagoon
When it comes to nightlife in Johannesburg, this is the city's most upmarket club. Monsoon Lagoon offers extravagant décor, high-tech sound equipment and a team of professional dancers who strut their stuff on podiums.
Emperor's Palace Casino in Kempton Park
Tel: (011) 928 1000.
Website: www.monsoonlagoon.co.zaTokyo Star
Melville has its fair share of trendy nightclubs. Tokyo Star is decorated in Japanese pop culture décor and sushi is available.
Fourth Avenue, Melville
Tel: (072) 478 2592.Horror Café
In Newtown, the Horror Cafe is decorated with horror movie memorabilia and plays African music including the infectious kwaito at the weekends.
15 Miriam Makeba StreetThe Rock
This is one of Soweto's trendiest clubs, which again features kwaito and jazz, a large bar, roof deck and dance floor.
1987 Vundla Street, Rockville
Tel: (011) 986 8182.Reality
One of the favoured venues for raves are Reality which has three dance floors and offers a blend of hip hop, house and drum'n'bass.
248 Jeppe StreetWildwaters
Big Brother Productions hosts regular h1O parties at Wildwaters, a water theme park in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.
Website: www.clubzone.co.zaLive Music
The Bassline
The Bassline is one of the most popular jazz and blues venues in Johannesburg, hosting great local live bands.
Newtown Music Hall in Newtown
Website: www.bassline.co.zaThe Songwriter's Club
Also in Newtown, The Songwriter's Club hosts up-and-coming musicians including township hip-hop artists.
Carr Street
Website: www.thesongwritersclub.comBlues Room
Rosebank has the best jazz and blues venue in town, the Blues Room in the Village Walk complex.
Rivonia Road
Tel: (011) 784 5527.
Website: www.bluesroom.co.za
