The Top 5 Bars & Nightlife in Johannesburg

Johannesburg's oldest surviving bar and grill (1929), on Louis Botha Avenue in Orange Grove — Prohibition-era shebeen history, Portuguese-influenced grub, and live jazz several nights a week. A friend would absolutely send you. Caveat: the surrounding stretch of Louis Botha is scruffy, so drive or Uber and park in their guarded lot.

Joburg's second-oldest bar (1906) in Braamfontein — closed in March 2024, then rescued and relaunched in January 2025 under Play Braam with a pizzeria next door. Still the spot for cheap drinks, DJs and a young, arty crowd. Caveat: it's a refreshed version of the old dive, so expect more polish and bigger weekend queues.

A warm, well-run neighbourhood pub in Linden that locals genuinely love for its unpretentious atmosphere, solid craft beer selection, and reliable pub food. It's the kind of place where the staff know regulars by name and the vibe is more about good company than being seen. Linden is slightly off the tourist trail which only adds to its authenticity, though it means you'll need a car or Uber to get there.

A neighbourhood bar in the bohemian suburb of Melville that draws a loyal, eclectic crowd of artists, academics, and long-time locals. The cocktail list is creative without being pretentious, and the outdoor courtyard is one of the nicest spots in Joburg for a relaxed evening drink. Parking on 7th Street can be tricky on weekends, so consider an Uber.

Exactly what it promises — a dedicated gin bar on Parkhurst's leafy 4th Avenue strip with one of the most extensive gin selections in the city, including many South African craft gins. The staff are knowledgeable and will guide you through tonic pairings and garnish choices without being snobbish about it. The outdoor seating on the pavement is quintessential Parkhurst, though it fills up quickly on warm evenings.

A subterranean bar in the Maboneng Precinct that leans into its underground aesthetic with exposed brick, low lighting, and a DJ booth that comes alive on weekends. The cocktail menu is inventive and the crowd is young, creative, and genuinely diverse — a real cross-section of inner-city Joburg. Maboneng requires some street-awareness at night, so arrive and leave with a plan.

The rooftop bar attached to the acclaimed Marble restaurant offers sweeping Joburg skyline views and a polished cocktail program that punches well above average. The wood-fired cocktails and locally inspired spirits list are standout, and the open-flame aesthetic carries through from the kitchen to the bar. It's pricey and can get crowded on Friday evenings, so arrive early or book a table.

A speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked away in Sandton that takes its craft seriously, with bartenders who genuinely know their classics and their originals. The dimly lit, intimate space makes it ideal for a proper cocktail evening, and the menu rotates seasonally to keep things fresh. It can feel a touch corporate given its Sandton location, but the quality of the drinks consistently overcomes that.

The bar at this contemporary art gallery and event space is a genuinely sophisticated spot that attracts Joburg's art world alongside well-heeled Rosebank regulars. Cocktails are well-executed and the rotating art on the walls gives every visit a slightly different feel. It's not a late-night destination — the vibe is more early evening and the crowd tends to be older and quieter.