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38 NIGHTLIFE Casinos Emperor’s Palace 64 Jones Rd, Kempton Park, tel. +27 11 928 1000, www.emperorspalace. co.za. Inspired by the famous Las Vegas casinos, Emperor’s is a Romanthemed venue not afraid of showing off its opulent side. A grand colonnade of fountains greets you before you enter the marbled and frescoed interiors. There are over 1 700 slots and close to 70 tables as well as exclusive high-roller areas and a hold ‘em poker room. Other entertainment options include the Theatre of Marcellus and the Odeon Showbar. QOpen 24/7. Gold Reef City Northern Parkway, Ormonde, tel. +27 11 248 5000, www.goldreefcity.co.za. One of Gauteng’s premier entertainment complexes, Gold Reef City is an intimate gambling experience with close to 100 slot machines and 15 gaming tables, as well as private lounge areas. Inspired by Joburg, the City of Gold, the casino is dripping with sparkling golden trimmings. It has two theatres, various restaurants and a theme park across the road.QOpen 24/7. Montecasino Cnr William Nicol Dr and Witkoppen Rd, Fourways, tel. +27 11 510 7000, www.montecasino.co.za. The huge entertainment and casino complex is designed to resemble an Italian Tuscan village. It has over 1 700 slot machines and a whopping 70 tables, as well as a private lounge and a smoking casino. Entertainment options include two theatres, a highly rated comedy club, cinema, bird gardens, and bowling and arcade games. Throughout 2014 the famous dining-theatre-acrobatics spectacular, Madam Zingara, is in residence. Gautrain buses leave from outside the bird gardens, shuttling visitors to the Sandton Gautrain station.QOpen 24/7. Clubs Kong Cnr Jan Smuts and Tyrwhitt Aves, Rosebank, tel. +27 11 447 0993, www.kongsa.co.za. This hugely popular nightclub is unashamed about announcing its intentions, boasting ‘Kong caters to the elite and sexy’. If that sounds like you, you may well fit in here with the city’s rich and beautiful set. Friday is ‘urban’ night with R&B and hip hop, while Saturdays are for fans of dance and electro.QOpen Fri–Sat 21:00–05:00. Sankayi 90 Degrees Shopping Centre, cnr Kelvin Dr and Rivonia Rd, Rivonia, tel. +27 83 859 5826, www. sankayi.com. A glamorous lounge and nightclub with a glitzy pan-African clientele. Mixing a range of hot African house, R&B and Latino sounds, it is very popular with the city’s well-off African expat community. This is an upmarket spot with a strict dress code to match, so dig out your sexiest, swankiest outfit, and leave your shorts and sandals at home.QOpen: Wed 19:00–04:00, Thu 20:00–04:00, Fri–Sat 21:00–04:00, Sun 19:00–04:00. Closed Mon, Tue. Taboo 24 Central, cnr Fredman Dr and Gwen Ln, Sandton, tel. +27 11 783 2200, www.taboo.co.za. A swanky Sandton nightclub which lives by the motto that ‘it’s impossible to overdo luxury’. It goes without saying that you need to be impressively dressed to pass the velvet rope into the dark and slinky interiors. Once there you’re surrounded by the pumping sound of top local and international DJs. It has a chic deck and plush lounge areas.QOpen Fri, Sat 22:00–04:00. Johannesburg In Your Pocket Live music and jazz Amuse Café 34 5th St (cnr 4th Ave), Linden, tel. +27 84 555 5252, www.facebook.com/pages/Amuse-Café. This quirky little bar in the cute suburb of Linden hosts live music from local bands Thursdays through Saturdays. The music policy is based purely on showcasing local artists rather than specific styles – anything from soulful girls with acoustic guitars or groovy new afro-jazz stars playing to a packed out room to serious teenagers attempting progressive rock in front of a handful of diehard fans. It’s a long way to come for live music, so check out the lineup on the bar’s Facebook page in advance.QOpen Tue–Sun 12:00–24:00. E Bassline B-4, 10 Henry Nxumalo St, Newtown, tel. +27 11 838 9142, bassline.co.za. Bassline is a legendary inner-city live-music venue which has seen every South African legend of the past 15 years grace its stage. The statue in front of the club of one of the country’s biggest stars, the late Brenda Fassie, and is testament to the importance of this venue in South African music history. Today the club still prides itself as a champion of hot new local talent. Well-known for its jazz and blues, you’ll also find funk, afro-beat and even slam-poetry on the line-up.QOpen only for performances. Check the Bassline website for the gig schedule. ’Fro Music Lounge 2 7th St Melville, tel. +27 78 856 8782, www.facebook.com/ FroMusicLounge. A brilliant bar that is wholeheartedly dedicated to pushing the agenda of getting people together over drinks and great local bands. As the name suggests, there’s an emphasis on African sounds and, if you’re lucky, you could find yourself holed up long into Melville Darren M. Smith the night listening to some of the best new bands the city has to offer. When the bands aren’t playing this is a chilled hangout for an easier-going night amid the bustle of the city’s most popular bar street. QOpen 12:00–24:00. Closed Mon. Katzy’s The Firs, cnr Cradock Ave and Biermann Ave, Rosebank, tel. +27 11 880 3945, www.katzys.co.za. One of Joburg’s most highly rated jazz bars, Katzy’s is a slinky, stylish and all-round sophisticated joint recalling the atmosphere of an old Chicago jazz club. Order one of their many fine malt whiskies and a vintage cigar, sink into a big leather couch and enjoy the sounds of some great local jazz. There are gigs most nights, although it is worth checking their online schedule to see what’s coming up.QOpen Mon–Sat 12:00–24:00. E Pata Pata G-4, Main Street Life, 286 Fox St, Maboneng, City Centre, tel. +27 73 036 9031. By day Pata Pata is an informal café-style restaurant. Inspired by the 1960s township jazz scene it is filled with eclectic second-hand bric-a-bac and big vintage sofas, perfect for sinking into with your Ethiopian coffee. At night an abundance of candles and live music from funky afro-jazz bands creates a simultaneously upbeat and romantic atmosphere ideal for enjoying cocktails with friends or a bottle of wine with someone special.QOpen 08:00–23:00. E Go to johannesburg.inyourpocket.com for more live music, concerts and festivals johannesburg.inyourpocket.com
WHAT TO SEE 39 Historical places of interest, excellent museums, art galleries with contemporary art that is putting South Africa on the global map – the city is worth exploring. From history to cuisine and street art, local tour guides can let you in on Joburg’s otherwise best-kept secrets. See our special feature on Chinese Joburg for something out of the ordinary. Museums Apartheid Museum Cnr Northern Parkway and Gold Reef Rd, Ormonde (Gold Reef City), tel. + 27 11 309 4700, www.apartheidmuseum.org. This extraordinary museum brings to life the horrors of apartheid. The fascinating story of South Africa’s struggle for democracy is compellingly told with powerful displays and interactive elements. It is not to be missed, but children younger than 10 should not visit. The museum is located in the Gold Reef City Casino complex.QTue–Sun 09:00–17:00. Closed Mon. Admission: R65 for adults, R50 pensioners and students, school-going children R20. UBK Constitution Hill D-1/2, Cnr Joubert and Kotze Sts, Braamfontein, tel. +27 11 381 3100, www.constitutionhill.org.za. The buildings of Constitution Hill reveal the horrors of some of the darkest hours of 20th-century South Africa while also showcasing the country’s bright future in the modern Constitutional Court. The large complex is split into four parts: the Old Fort, the Women’s Gaol, the Number 4 prison block and the Constitutional Court. In addition to the extensive permanent exhibits, the complex also hosts regular art and photography exhibitions and lectures, and has an impressive art collection. The Old Fort At the centre of the Constitution Hill complex, it was built in 1893 by President Paul Kruger as a fortress to protect Joburg from the threat of British invasion and also to keep watch over the miners flocking to the growing settlement. Following the end of the Anglo-Boer war the fort became a jail for white prisoners. One notable exception is Nelson Mandela who was briefly imprisoned here when he was arrested in 1962. His cell is now part of a permanent exhibition. Make sure you take a walk around the fort ramparts for a fantastic view of the skyscrapers of the City Centre. Women’s Gaol The grand-looking brick buildings were built in 1909 and held black and white female prisoners (and often their babies too) in separate sections. During apartheid many major political activists such as Albertina Sisulu, Ruth First and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela were imprisoned here in humiliating conditions and subjected to months of solitary confinement. The museum includes many moving testimonies from former prisoners, detailing their struggles behind bars and the shockingly absurd reasons for their arrests. Number 4 The notorious prison block is not for the fainthearted and wandering its bleak yards and dank cells is at times a harrowing experience. It was used from 1904 until 1983 as a prison for ‘native men’ whose crimes ranged from political activism and communist party membership to murder, robbery, petty crime and, most commonly, the infringement of the racist passbook laws. Before leaving, pause at the humbling exhibit on Mahatma Gandhi, who was imprisoned here in 1906 for his political activism. Constitutional Court The court was opened in 2003 and was built using bricks from the old awaiting-trial prison block. The bright, inviting and modern building is filled with hundreds of South African artworks, which alone are worth a visit. Visitors are allowed to attend court hearings and visit the court chamber.QMon–Fri 08:30–17:00, Sat 10:00–15:00. johannesburg.inyourpocket.com February - April 2014
Page 1 and 2: Hotels Restaurants Cafés Nightlife
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS 3 Out of Town: Pretoria 61
Page 5 and 6: NEWS 5 Mandela’s Joburg Nelson Ma
Page 7 and 8: BASICS 7 Languages South Africa has
Page 9 and 10: BASICS 9 Navigating the city Street
Page 11 and 12: GETTING JOBURG DISTRICTS AROUND 11
Page 13 and 14: GETTING AROUND 13 The Gautrain Maps
Page 15 and 16: HISTORY 15 1886 Australian prospect
Page 17 and 18: CULTURE & EVENTS 17 Venues Venue Al
Page 19 and 20: CULTURE & EVENTS 19 Cultural organi
Page 21 and 22: CULTURE & EVENTS 21 05.03 Wednesday
Page 23 and 24: WHERE TO STAY 23 The Peech, Melrose
Page 25 and 26: WHERE TO STAY 25 Welcome to Johanne
Page 27 and 28: WHERE TO EAT 27 Regal Palace 110 Li
Page 29 and 30: WHERE TO EAT 29 Fish The Fishmonger
Page 31 and 32: WHERE TO EAT 31 Chateau Gateaux Sho
Page 33 and 34: NIGHTLIFE 33 Joburg has it all - fr
Page 36 and 37: 36 NIGHTLIFE Lamunu Restaurant and
Page 40 and 41: 40 WHAT TO SEE MOAD G-4, 281 Commis
Page 42 and 43: 42 WHAT TO SEE Little Addis E-4, Je
Page 44 and 45: 44 WHAT TO SEE Public art People wh
Page 46 and 47: 46 WHAT TO SEE Graffiti tour, Newto
Page 48 and 49: 48 WHAT TO SEE: SOWETO Lebo’s Sow
Page 50 and 51: 50 SHOPPING Finders Keepers Market
Page 52 and 53: 52 SHOPPING Love Books Bamboo, 53 R
Page 54 and 55: 54 SHOPPING Jewellery They don’t
Page 56 and 57: 56 GAY JOBURG Gay Joburg Luiz DeBar
Page 58 and 59: 58 SPORT & OUTDOORS Golf and golf c
Page 60 and 61: 60 JOBURG FOR KIDS Child-friendly r
Page 62 and 63: 62 OUT OF TOWN: PRETORIA Duncan Yar
Page 64 and 65: Johannesburg In Your Pocket johanne
Page 66 and 67: 66 STREET INDEX: CITY CENTRE 1st St
Page 68: GAUTENG’S TOURIST ATTRACTION OPEN

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