If you haven't burnt up all your energy during the day exploring the city, Johannesburg offers a range of happening nightclubs and cocktail bars with live music and DJs spinning beats. Here is a selection, from hardcore dance spots to more laidback venues.
Nightclubs
@115
Address: 115 Anderson Street
Hours: Fridays 10pm to 6am
Tel: +27 76 217 5476
@ 115 plays deep house and drum 'n bass. Last Saturday of every month is live band night. This club has been rated the best for deep house grooves. If you are in the mood for heavy partying you've got the right address.
Back o' the Moon
Gold Reef City Casino
Tel: +27 11 496 1423
Website: www.goldreefcity.co.za
Open: Tuesdays - Saturdays from 12pm to 2:30pm and 6pm to 10:30pm, Sundays from 12pm to 2:30pm and 6pm to 10:30pm
Get the pulse racing with some gaming in the casino. Chill out afterwards by taking in some smooth contemporary and traditional jazz at the Back o' the Moon Restaurant.
Back2Basix
Address: Cnr Perth and Lancaster roads, Westdene
Hours: Mondays to Sundays 10am till late
Tel: +27 11 726 6857
Web: www.back2basix.co.za
The club hosts evenings with local musicians and rock groups such as Freshlyground, Tamara Dey and others.
Bassline
Address: 10 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown
Tel: +27 11 838 9145
Open: Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm
An Afro-jazz club, Bassline is a live events club that also hosts kwaito and hip hop artists.
The Blues Room
Village Walk, cnr Rivonia and Maud St, Sandton
Tel: +27 11 784 5527
Website: www.bluesroom.co.za
Open: Tuesdays - Saturdays from 4:30pm in the bars, from 7pm in the restaurant till late
The Blues Room has earned itself a reputation as a top-class live music venue, and has been voted the best jazz and blues venue in Johannesburg for four years in a row. It's an American-style club with a superb sound system and is frequented by local and international artists five nights a week. The Blues Room also offers a varied and tasty menu.
Cool Runnings
27 4th Ave, Melville
Tel: +27 11 482 4786
Open: every day, 12pm till late
This reggae bar and eatery epitomises Rastafarian culture. Wooden outdoor tables and floors, grass roofs and the Jamaican colours of red, green and yellow transport you to another world. Enjoy an exotic cocktail or shooter and some time out with your friends. Light meals are available. Cool Runnings is also a venue for live comedy on Sundays from 8pm. Rates are less for students. More info on comedy performances: www.johnvlismas.com or tel: +27 11 482 4786.
DJ's Bar Lounge
1198 Ngculu St, Orlando East, Soweto
Tel: +27 11 935 7460
Open: Mondays-Sundays from 10am to 2am
Eat affordable African dishes whilst you listen to live music played on request. Call before you go to find who is playing.
The Radium Beer Hall
282 Louis Botha Ave, Orange Grove
Tel: +27 11 728 3866
Website: www.theradium.co.za
Open: Mondays - Saturdays 10am - 12am
Established in 1929, this is a great venue for a wide variety of food and live music, situated not far from Grant Avenue in Norwood, an area packed with happening restaurants and bars. It was once a favoured hangout of celebrated South African author Herman Charles Bosman. The walls are covered in memorabilia, adding to the ambience of the Radium. The first Sunday of the month, the Fat Sound, an 18-piece jazz band plays. Booking is essential.
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The Red Room
Address: Cnr Juice Street and Beyers Naude Drive, Honeydew
Hours: Saturdays 9pm till late
Tel: +27 11 463 8901
Web: www.redroom.co.za
The Red Room has been around since 2003 and every Saturday night they play alternative classics, past and future, with their regular DJs Tyron and Ashton.
Katzy's at the Grillhouse
The Firs, Oxford Road, Rosebank
Open: Mondays-Saturdays from 5pm till late
Tel: +27 11 447 5162/+27 11 880 3945
The 'who's who' hang out at this trendy venue in Rosebank, though it's really open to everyone. Situated at The Firs mall, Katzy's is the perfect place for that pre-dinner cocktail or post-dinner cigar. There's the popular Grillhouse opposite, where many of the early diners are often headed.
Katzy's specialises in whiskeys, cognacs and cigars. It is based on two piano bars in the US - Jillys in Chicago, once owned by Frank Sinatra, and Don't Tell Mama's piano bar on the Upper West Side in New York. Katzy's plays soft music, classical music and there is a blues band.
Tanz Café
The River Road, cnr Bryanston Drive, Riverside (Entrance on The River Road)
Tel: +27 11 463 3128/ 5937
Website: www.tanzcafe.freeservers.com
Open: Mondays-Saturdays 9am till late
Tanz Café is a combination of a European and Argentinian dance café. A seasonal menu is on offer and there is also a comfortable bar to relax at if you prefer to watch others doing the dancing. Look out for the live music and cabaret evenings.
Café Vogue
Address: Corner Ninth and Wessels Road, Rivonia
Tel: +27 11 234 9515
Music: R&B and hip hop on Thursdays and fusion on Fridays on two dance floors featuring regular DJs Bionic, Chivaz and Blaze.
Dress: smart casual, no jeans or sportswear
If you are into urban culture, especially R&B, then there's no where else to be on Thursday nights.
Carfax
Address: 39 Pim Street, Newtown
Tel: +27 11 834 9187
Website: www.carfax.co.za
E-mail: carfax@mweb.co.za
Open: Weekdays 9pm to, Fridays/Saturdays 9:30pm till late
Music: depends on event, mainly funk house
Carfax is an institution, boasting possibly the most progressive arts scene in Johannesburg. It is the showcase for upcoming and established music, fine art, theatre, dance and other variations falling under the category of "arts". A venue for those into alternative things.
Monsoon Lagoon
Address: Caesar's Palace, 64 Jones Road, Kempton Park
Tel: +27 11 928 1280
Website: www.monsoonlagoon.co.za
Open: Tuesdays to Saturdays 9pm till late
Music: Depends on the night
Dress: fashionably smart
Wednesday nights are dedicated to the ladies, R&B nights are on Saturdays, featuring DJ Sebastian and other guest DJs.
Nite Fever
Address: Waterford Shopping Centre, corner Witkoppen and Douglas, Fourways
Tel: +27 83 456 9955
Open: Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Music: commercial dance, 80s music
Dress: Smart Casual
On Fridays and Saturdays you get free drinks between 8pm and 10pm. This club carries an age restriction of 23 for men and 22 for women.
The Rock
Address: 1987 Vundla St, Rockville, Soweto
Tel: +27 11 986 8182
Open: Weekdays from 9pm to 11pm, weekends from 9pm to 2am
Music: House, Kwaito, Jazz
Truly rocks on the weekend nights when many party goers come in from the city. There's an in house DJ but live music can be arranged on request.
Roxy's Rhythm Bar
Address: 20 Main Road, Melville Tel: +27 11 726 6019
E-mail: roxy@acenet.co.za
Open: Mondays to Saturdays: 8pm till late
Music: deep funk, classic, garage, hip-hop, drum 'n bass, live (varies according to night).
Wednesdays are student nights, which means drinks on the house. On most nights live bands perform.
Saints
Address: Rivonia Boulevard, Rivonia.
Tel: +27 11 803 0093
Open: Fridays and Saturdays Music: R&B and house
A massive and stylish venue.
On both days it's R&B with a mix of laid back house grooves too.
Tempos
Address: Hans Strydom Drive, Randburg
Tel: +27 11 708 3498
Open: Tuesdays-Thursdays from 10am to 6pm or 7pm. Weekends closes at 8pm or 9pm
Music: varies, mostly live events
Tempos is both a nightspot and a place for family days out. Saturdays feature the Battle of the Bands starting at 6pm. On Sundays enjoy the sounds of big band music.
The Lounge
Address: 100 Albertyn Road, Weirda Valley, Sandton
Tel: +27 11 784 0519
E-mail: ward@lounge.co.za
Open: Mondays to Saturdays 12pm to early morning.
A very upmarket strip club-cum-sushi bar. On Saturdays the entrance fee starts at only 99c at 5pm, increases to R75 at 7pm but after 10pm it takes R250 to get in so make sure you plan your schedule.
The Mansion
Address: cnr Atkins and Alexander roads, Midrand
Tel: +27 78 444 6999
Website: www.themansion.co.za
Open: Daily 10am till late. Wednesdays to Sundays club night
Music: Wednesday is ladies night, playing R&B, hip-hop and house. Thursday is comedy night, with some classic hip-hop and R&B. Friday and Saturday is R&B, hip-hop and house, while Sunday is time for a soul session - and a little classic hip-hop and R&B. The fully air-conditioned venue has two dance floors and can cater for more than 2 000 people. It also has a five-star restaurant and conference centre.
Gay clubs
DCM
On Fridays this venue opens from 10.30pm till late, playing cutting edge house music with DJs from London and some of the best in South Africa. Saturdays are theme parties with dancers and DJ Surge and other guests on the turntables.
Address: Cnr Juta and Henri Street, Braamfontein
Tel: +27 11 339 3330 / +27 11 339 3335
Website: www.heartlands.co.za
Rhino Bar
Thursdays is naked night at Rhino Bar, with DJ Naked playing hip-hop and black house, with appearances by Yfm DJs on other nights.
Address: Cnr Juta and Henri Street, Braamfontein
Tel: +27 11 339 3330 / +27 11 339 3335
Website: www.heartlands.co.za
Sugar Reef
The venue opens on Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am till late. Daytimes are aimed at nearby students, with reasonable prices on food and drinks. Thursday nights are girls’ nights - no boys allowed. Sunday nights are drag show nights with the Cookie Cups a drag group.
Address: Cnr Juta and Henri Street, Braamfontein
Tel: +27 11 339 3330 / +27 11 339 3335
Website: www.heartlands.co.za
Cruise
Cruise opens on Tuesdays to Sundays from 6pm till late. The venue plays commercial music, has theme parties on Fridays and a strip show on Wednesdays.
Address: Cnr Juta and Henri Street, Braamfontein
Tel: +27 11 339 3330 / +27 11 339 3335
Website: www.heartlands.co.za
Loading Zone
The club plays different genres of music from hip-hop, jazz, house to pop, rock ’n roll and ballads. Every now and then you can enjoy strip parties, theme nights and drag shows.
Address: 440 Louis Botha Avenue, Highlands North
Tel: +27 11 485 5989
Hours: Mondays to Sundays 12pm till late
Rec Room
This club specialises in steam baths such as jacuzzi and sonar. Different music channels are always on.
Address: Hans Strijdom Drive, Phoenix Centre, Randburg
Tel: +27 11 792 1288
Hours: Mondays to Fridays and Sundays 12pm to 1am, Saturdays 12pm to 7am
The Men Factory
The club plays different types of music from rock 'n roll, ballads and house, with DJ Super C. Every first Friday of the month is leather night. The video lounge offers music from different music channels. Only men allowed.
Address: 6 6 th Street, Doornfontein
Tel: +27 83 965 2227
Hours: Mondays to Sundays 12pm to 7am
Destiny
Destiny plays rave, house and R&B music, invites DJs every now and then and has theme parties every Saturday.
Address: 38 Market Street, Boksburg
Tel: +27 72 267 5308
Hours: Mondays to Sundays 7pm till late
Simply Blue
Simply Blue hosts theme nights once a week and plays house, rock ‘n roll and rave music.
Address: 40 De Korte Street, Braamfontein
Tel: +27 72 478 4921
Hours: Mondays to Sundays 12pm till late
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