We’re doing things a little differently now. Daytime parties are the new nightclubs, sundowners now come with a sleepover, picnics are pre-booked at private gardens, and cognac cocktails are the new bubbly. We’ve rounded some of Joburg’s best spots to make and toast to your special moments.
Codfather Waterfall
Codfather Waterfall situated at the Polofields Crossing in Midrand is the new addition to the portfolio, which includes Bowl’d in Masingita Towers, Riboville Boutique Hotel & Restaurant in Waterfall and conferencing centre The Collective on West. The impressive new space has been beautifully designed with high ceilings, hanging wooden fish sculptures, and a dramatic backlit staircase that takes guests up to the private dining area. Indulge in steaks, sushi, fish and prawns and tapas, and toast to the festive season while listening to fresh summer beats. Open from 7am, seven days a week.
Bowl’d
Step into Bowl’d for an instant mood lift and head straight for the pool deck where you can sit at a table with your toes in the water, and enjoy Mediterranean, Asian and African cuisine along with your favourite summer cocktail. The resident and guest DJs will soon have you on your feet, and dancing into the sunset.
Sin + Tax
Best known as an intimate after-hours jaunt and a favoured choice for cocktails, Sin + Tax’s renovated space is complete with an outside courtyard, allowing more patrons to enter and play – starting from 2pm. Its speakeasy style is part of its charm – and you might be lucky enough to catch live jazz while you’re there.
Edge of Glory
If you’re not ready to call it a day after a mid-morning coffee or a cheeky pre-midday Mimosa at Morning Glory, slide on over to its sister eatery Edge of Glory. Get it?! Nextdoor is the newly rebranded Peeping Tom, where you can lap up the sun on the popular Bolton cnr Jan Smuts location. You’ll love the kitsch Miami-style décor, pink flamingoes and all. Its collaborative drinks partner is Sin+Tax so you can bet the cocktails are top tier. Ask them to make you the French Twist: Courvoisier, Orange Curaçao or Triple Sec, syrup, lemon juice and club soda.
Pablo House Melville
One of Melville’s best-kept secrets is this charming boutique guesthouse. Pablo is perched on the highest point of the suburb overlooking the Koppies and greater Joburg, where you can book at Dos Manos for wood-fired pizzas and grills and relax with a cocktail on the terrace. Better yet, book a night or two and unlock access to the pool where you can sip on cocktails in more private surrounds.
Beachwood Gardens
Take your picnics up a notch at these exquisitely landscaped gardens, where security is not a concern. Established by landscape artist Joanne Pym in 1945, and maintained by owners Christopher and Susan Greig for decades, the 1.4ha botanical garden is a true gem in the heart of Hyde Park featuring magnolia trees, a rose garden, a water lily lake, waterfalls and vegetable gardens – all wheelchair friendly. You’ll need to book and pay in advance – no walk-ins allowed. Arrive with a prepared gourmet picnic basket, accoutrements, and a fully charged phone battery because you’ll be snapping away all day.
Atholplace House & Villa
Situated in the affluent suburb of Atholl, the house and villa, which was formerly a hotel, is now a nine-bedroom home with a four-bedroom villa offering respite from the buzz of Joburg. The house’s bar, verdant green lawns with picturesque pool area is reserved for residential guests only … did someone say group staycation? A Christmas or New Year’s Eve gathering perhaps?
Marble
It doesn’t get any sexier than sipping on cocktails overlooking the Johannesburg city skyline from the balcony of the Marble bar. Or seated at the restaurant as the sinking sun is refracted by the glass of the stately cellar. The space just exudes modern elegance and effortless chic – from the handsome marble bar, the custom feature wall panels by Damien Grivas, Krisjan Rossouw’s photography and Peter Mthombeni’s ceramic Dolos figurines.
