Back o the Moon Gold Reef City Casino, Tel: 011 496 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.
Bassline Address: 10 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown, Tel: 011 838 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: 011 784 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. Its 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: 011 482 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: 011 880 0444.
DJs Bar Lounge 1198 Ngculu St, Orlando East, Soweto, Tel: 011 935 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.
Horror Caf 15 Becker Street, Newtown, Tel: 011 838 6735 Open: Mondays to Fridays 11:30 am to 6pm, Saturday 1pm till late The sound is rich African beats, combined with traditional acid house and hip-hop, resulting in a unique and exciting sound. Visit on Fridays for the weekly poetry session.
The Radium Beer Hall 282 Louis Botha Ave, Orange Grove, Tel: 011 728 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.
Katzys at the Grillhouse The Firs, Oxford Road, Rosebank, Open: Mondays-Saturdays from 5pm till late Tel: 011 447 5162/011 880 3945 The whos who hang out at this trendy venue in Rosebank, though its really open to everyone. Situated at The Firs mall, Katzys is the perfect place for that pre-dinner cocktail or post-dinner cigar. Theres the popular Grillhouse opposite, where many of the early diners are often headed. Katzys 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 Dont Tell Mamas piano bar on the Upper West Side in New York. Katzys plays soft music, classical music and there is a blues band.
Tanz Caf The River Road, cnr Bryanston Drive, Riverside (Entrance on The River Road), Tel: 011 463 3128/ 5937 Website: www.tanzcafe.freeservers.com Open: Mondays-Saturdays 9am till late Tanz Caf is a combination of a European and Argentinian dance caf. 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.
Caf Vogue Address: Corner Ninth and Wessels Road, Rivonia, Tel: 011 234 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 theres no where else to be on Thursday nights.
Carfax Address: 39 Pim Street, Newtown, Tel: 011 834 9187 Website: www.carfax.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.
Horror Caf Address: 15 Becker Street, Newtown, Tel: 082 767 6785 or 082 850 9887 Open: Mondays to Fridays 11:30 am to 6pm, Saturdays 1pm till late Music: Acid house, hip hop, African beats The combination of the these very different sounds, results in a unique experience at this theme caf. Also visit on Fridays for the weekly poetry session.
Monsoon Lagoon Address: Caesars Palace, 64 Jones Road, Kempton Park, Tel: 011 928 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: 083 456 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: 011 986 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. Theres an in house DJ but live music can be arranged on request.
Roxys Rhythm Bar Address: 20 Main Road, Melville Tel: 011 726 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: 011 803 0093 Open: Fridays and Saturdays Music: R&B and house A massive and stylish venue. On both days its R&B with a mix of laid back house grooves too.
The Songwriters Club Corner Quinn and Carr Street, Newtown, Tel: 011 833 1317 E-mail: live@thesongwritersclub.com Open: Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm Entertainment starts at 9pm with a full restaurant and bar. Open nights from Tuesdays to Fridays - no cover charge. Entertainment: Hottest new artists ranging from Jazz to Hip Hop, African/World Music Special events and shows: Drumming evenings, Contemporary Poetry, Comedy Showcases, acoustic sets, Sirens (Female Performers), The Songwriters Club is a platform for artists to develop and grow and where many forms of art have a stage.
Tempos Address: Hans Strydom Drive, Randburg, Tel: 011 708 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: 011 784 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.
Who Zoo Address: cnr Atkins and Alexander roads, Midrand, Tel: 083 283 4916 Open: Fridays and Saturdays 9pm till late Music: Rave and funky house on Fridays, R&B, hip-hop and commercial house on Saturdays. Most Yfm theme parties are held here. There are two dance floors and its air-conditioned.
Open: Tuesdays-Thursdays from 10am to 6pm or 7pm. Weekends closes at 8pm or 9pm