Braamfontein

Braamfontein is Joburg's student-and-creative quarter next to Wits University — street art, the free Wits Art Museum, Saturday's Playground market (which replaced Neighbourgoods), and the revived Kitchener's, a bar pouring since 1906. Go for the weekend energy, keep your phone pocketed on quiet blocks, and don't wander far off the main strips after dark.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What is there to actually do in Braamfontein?

The Wits Art Museum is free and genuinely world-class for African art (Tue-Sat, 10:00-16:00). Add street-art murals, indie coffee shops, The Playground market on Saturdays, and Constitution Hill — the old prison-turned-Constitutional Court — on the neighbourhood's eastern edge.

Is Kitchener's still open?

Yes. Joburg's oldest operating bar (1906) wobbled and briefly closed, but the Play Braamfontein team reopened it in early 2025 with a pizzeria attached. It's still the neighbourhood's beating heart for live music and DJ nights.

How do I get to Braamfontein without a car?

Take the Gautrain to Park Station and grab a short Uber up the hill — walking from the station with luggage isn't recommended. Rea Vaya BRT also runs through Braamfontein. Ubers are cheap and plentiful; that's how most visitors move around.

Is Braamfontein worth visiting if I'm not a student?

Yes, if you want to feel the real, young, creative Joburg rather than a mall. It's grittier than Rosebank or Parkhurst — that's the point. Pair it with Constitution Hill for a genuinely great half day.

Is the Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein still open?

No — the famous Saturday Neighbourgoods Market shut during Covid. The same rooftop-adjacent spot at 73 Juta Street now hosts The Playground, a Saturday artisan food-and-music market running roughly 09:00-18:00. Different name, similar vibe, still worth your Saturday.

Can I visit Constitution Hill from Braamfontein?

Yes, it's on the eastern edge of Braamfontein and one of the most important sites in the country — the old fort prison that held Mandela and Gandhi, now home to the Constitutional Court. Budget about two hours and take the guided tour.

Is Braamfontein safe to walk around?

On the main strips (Juta, De Beer, Melle) during the day and busy weekend nights, yes — there's security presence and plenty of foot traffic. Keep your phone out of sight, don't flash valuables, and take an Uber rather than walking after dark, especially on empty side streets.

Is Braamfontein good for nightlife?

It's one of Joburg's best nights out — young, loud, and mostly student-priced. Kitchener's and the Play Braamfontein venues anchor it, with clubs and rooftop spots around De Beer and Juta. Thursday to Saturday nights are when it actually comes alive.

Nearby in Ask Johannesburg

• Kitchener's Carvery BarBar0.05 km · 1 min walk
• Wits Art MuseumMuseum0.15 km · 2 min walk
• Untitled Basement BarBar0.18 km · 2 min walk
• The Blind PigBar0.57 km · 7 min walk
• Origins CentreAttraction0.63 km · 8 min walk