TIGER, TIGER, BURNING BRIGHT

It’s another of my undisclosed jewels … just the place to go to quench an after-work thirst where they don’t necessarily know your name

Oh yes! I was telling you about places I never thought I would tell you about because they are my locals, my precious oases, and I didn’t want them to be overrun by enthusiastic, trendy, FM readers. Last week I told you about Franco’s in Parkview.

Today I am going to tell you about a bar on the same strip, a new bar, which I hope you don’t discover just yet. It’s a delicious place.

Those of you who have read this column for some time will know that I have often bemoaned the lack of a bar, a lovely long bar where, after you finish work, you pop in after 5pm, put your bum on a bar seat and ask for a drink from a smart, friendly bartender who knows how to mix a cocktail. Or two.

In Joburg, mainly, we go for afternoon drinks in hotel bars. It’s very depressing. It reminds me of

Zimbabwe or Mozambique, where diplomats descend from their lofty airconditioned embassy and consulate offices to spy on the elite gorging on the rich, sweaty buffets of the hotel restaurants. It’s as sad as a VS Naipaul novel.

Cities need bars. People need to leave the office and go get their wee dram, to take the edge off and have a conversation, before they go home.

I have been waiting for a great new bar to come along for a long time, and a few have, in places like Maboneng and Braamfontein. Though I must confess that Braamfontein is a bit young and inexperienced to really appreciate what a bar is for. I was quite shocked to see a young man throwing the beers back at a Braamfontein bar a few weeks ago. It was 10am, and he was drinking those Castle Lites fast. Mmm. He doesn’t know that drinking is incidental to a bar.

So, anyway, smack bang in the middle of my bar drought I noticed, about a year ago, that a new place had opened in my neighbourhood. It is called Blind Tiger, and what a delight is. So you walk into Blind Tiger and there’s the bar you’ve always wanted — not very long, but delightful in that New York sort of style. Around it you have famous journalists, revered lawyers, temperamental artists, photographers, thinkers, financiers, activists — all having a drink at the bar at 6pm. Behind the bar is the owner, the affable Roman, if he is not in the kitchen. Expert staff mix you mean cocktails and serve cold beer or a glass of chenin blanc.

That’s not all. Around the bar are one, two, er, five tables where more people are enjoying a drink — and something to eat. Not everybody knows your name. You can sit in a corner and enjoy your peace. The clientele is diverse and interesting. I have not yet seen a politician there, but I expect if they came they would be roasted right good and proper.

The best thing about Blind Tiger, though, is that the food is excellent. it Usually places like these have great cocktails and poor food, or vice versa. Blind Tiger excels at both. The cocktails are incredible. On the food side I am mad for their blue cheese burger and chips. Whatever you have, though, do make sure you have their chips — they should be on any self-respecting gourmand’s bucket list. You can have your dinner in the front room dining area or at the back, where there’s a bit more privacy and space for bigger tables.

I honestly don’t want Blind Tiger to be overrun by beautiful people. But believe me when I say there’s no better place, anywhere in Joburg, to go for a post-work drink with someone lovely.

Blind Tiger Café ★★★★★

62 Tyrone Avenue Parkview, Johannesburg Tel: 076-030-4200

★★★★★ Mcebisi Jonas! ★★★★ Excellent ★★★ Good ★★ Poor ★ The rand