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Johannesburg has a diverse and energetic experience with respect to night entertainment amplified by music and dance. This article goes further into enlisting some of the best nightlife in Johannesburg, South Africa to ensure you know where to start and how to have the best of your night when you are in this wonderful city. From diverse rims, attractive clubs, and commercial strips to blasé industrial parks, Jo’burg boasts a fun and diverse nightlife scene to suit everyone.
10 Places For Johannesburg Nightlife
Here is a list of the best places for Johannesburg in nightlife, South Africa to help you start your night with the right atmosphere.
1. The Living Room
Photo: Colin Lloyd / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The Living Room is also a rooftop bar in Maboneng which is very popular with young people with a touch of botanical feel. This venue has beautiful manicured gardens and has a view of Johannesburg city skyline at night. The venue is also popular for sundowners or even late evenings. Visitors can taste cosy and flavorful cocktails complemented by casual dining cuisine at The Living Room. The type of music played starts from country and jazz and then gets to upbeat tunes making it a perfect way to experience Johannesburg Nightlife.
Major Attractions: Rooftop views, eco-friendly decor, live DJs
Location: Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg
Timings: Open until late
2. The Orbit Jazz Club
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To those who are fanatics of Jazz, the Orbit Jazz Club is a must-try. This club is in Braamfontein and features outstanding live jazz music acts by both South African and other artists. This gives it an intimate look which is good for times when more people intend to visit. The Orbit presents good music; this makes it a unique addition to Johannesburg’s popularity at night. It also offers great food and drinks to complement the spirit of the evening. The Orbit Jazz Club is also known for its excellent services.
Major Attractions: Live jazz, relaxed vibe, acclaimed musicians
Location: Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Timings: Varies by performance schedule
3. The Rand Club
Photo: Jerome Govender / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
It is one of the oldest and the most upscale social clubs in Johannesburg. Renowned for a selective association, it provides an aristocratic flavour of socializing in Johannesburg. The architecture of this club is opulent and ancient appearing from the exterior; interior design offers a historic feel to it. Here, there are events ranging from musical live performances to cocktail soirees. Even though private, Rand Club is often thrown open to the public for various occasions to enjoy the vibrant Johannesburg nightlife from a sophisticated angle.
Major Attractions: Historic architecture, elegant ambience, special events
Location: Marshalltown, Johannesburg
Timings: Event-specific
4. Mad Giant Brewery
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Ferreirasdorp’s Mad Giant Brewery is a creative live music bar with inspirations of a craft brewery feel. Nairobi-based Mad Giant brewery is famous for its daring interior design and beers accompanied by good street food. This brasserie brewer is relatively young and offers excellent industrial-style interiors and an atmosphere that is perfect for colourful nightlife. Popular beers, lively music, diverse people, and friendly staff make it a perfect place for night outs for beer enthusiasts.
Major Attractions: Craft beers, industrial decor, casual vibe
Location: Ferreirasdorp, Johannesburg
Timings: Open until late
5. Katzy’s Live
Photo: anna-m. w. / Pexels Commons / Image For Representation Only
Katzy’s Live situated in Rosebank should be on the list of every admirer of live musical performances. Specializing in Blues, Jazz, and Rock music, Katzy’s offers a fine dining venue in a laid-back atmosphere to watch Johannesburg’s talent. The bar has one of the largest selections of whiskies. This place is also known as the “restoration-themed” bar. Due to comfortable and soft seats, as well as exquisite services, this place is perfect for a date night as well. Specifically for those people who are looking for performances of professional musicians, the venue of Katzy’s Live will be suitable.
Major Attractions: Live blues and jazz, premium whiskies, sophisticated decor
Location: Rosebank, Johannesburg
Timings: Nightly performances
6. Sankayi Lounge
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Sankayi Lounge has adopted both nightlife and cultural tastes which are well-known for their Afro-fusion theme and live music. This lounge is in Sandton and it plays both African and international music. Sankayi has a great interior with stucolourscolors and an up-to-date theme to accommodate those in large groups as well as groups celebrating special occasions. This compound also provides the visitors with some ravishing cocktails and fusion food to make it a place of entertainment among nightlife venues.
Major Attractions: Afro-fusion vibe, exotic cocktails, energetic crowd
Location: Sandton, Johannesburg
Timings: Open until late
7. Kitchener’s Carvery Bar
Photo: Matiinu Ramadhan / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Kitchener’s Carvery Bar: If you are into hanging out at bars, then Kitchener’s Carvery Bar is one of the oldest bars you will find in Johannesburg. Kitcheners is situated in Braamfontein and has an ‘anti-establishment’ atmosphere and plays a variety of music, from Indie – Rock to hip-hop. This is a bar in an old building with warm insides and a homelike atmosphere. Kitchener’s hosts parties with DJ sets and live performances. Kitchener’s offers great drinks at budget-friendly prices and a really good crowd making it worth visiting for any true Johannesburg partygoer.
Major Attractions: Historic bar, indie and hip-hop music, eclectic crowd
Location: Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Timings: Open until 2 AM
8. The Baron
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The Baron is one of the most popular bars situated in Sandton. This bar focuses on quality and class when serving its wines, cocktails, and beers. Whoever has visited this place often will agree that it has a perfect environment for both social activities and chilling after a hard day’s work. This bar has a relaxed and classy look. The Baron is open every night, with live bands and DJs some nights. Though the look doesn’t seem a modern luxury, the Baron has a classy vibe.
Major Attractions: Fine wines, cocktails, live music
Location: Sandton, Johannesburg
Timings: Open until late
9. Sir James van der Merwe
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The Kramerville-based Sir James van der Merwe is a bar with beautiful décor and an openly inviting ambience. This place is only open on Wednesdays and is known for its kitsch retro decoration and young and lively clientele. The bar area is small and cosy and complemented by good music making it quite jovial and perfect for the mid of the week relaxation. One of the most interesting venues to visit is Sir James van der Merwe – identified by its themed interior design and beautiful panoramic view of Johannesburg.
Major Attractions: Vintage decor, social atmosphere, city views
Location: Kramerville, Johannesburg
Timings: Open until late
10. Hush Lounge
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Hush Lounge, Rosebank is an exquisite night club small and gives a feeling of class. The lounge offers a luxurious terrace accompanied by echoes of popular music. Hush Lounge is the most visited place in the city. The 18th Avenue is one of the best places to go for an upmarket nightingale with a good music selection, classy drinks, good music, and a V.I.P. lounge. With so much dance intensity, Hush Lounge makes it ideal for those who wish to dance to tunes without feeling like they are in a lowly joint.
Major Attractions: VIP area, luxury decor, upbeat music
Location: Rosebank, Johannesburg
Timings: Open until 4 AM
Johannesburg Nightlife is as exciting as it seems. After all the information in the list of venues that offer an interesting experience of nightlife, it is time to start planning your night out! If you want to see your fancy, dancing shoes turn around, or just have some cocktails on a rooftop then there is always a place to go. Plan a trip with TripXL and get to know the city’s nightlife at its best.
Cover Photo: David Thái / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
