Bucket-list bars
five South African watering holes you Should be drinking At
As dusk Approaches, grabbing a cold one to phola with a group of friends at a bar over chuckles helps you wash off a tiring day at the office. Modern bars have sleek, modern fittings that complement a dimmed interior, creating a relaxed, exclusive experience that inspires good conversation and encourages you to return.
It’s in this spirit that we at GQ share with you the top five inner-city bars worth visiting.
the Art of duplicity
“It’s luxurious, glamorous, decadent and hush-hush. Tempted?” asks its website when you make a booking. Having secured your spot, head over to its Instagram page, which will give you an idea of what to expect: jazz playing and waiters serving cocktails inside a vintage-cool former warehouse in Cape
Town’s East City.
the chairman
On the website of this Durbanbased bar, against a backdrop of images of various sections of the bar shot at night, is a caption: “A sophisticated worldclass jazz bar that stimulates the imagination and bends all rules and inventions.” It’s the place to be if you’re into luxury and finesse. (Book at least 24 hours in advance. An R150 admission fee is deducted from your bill, and there’s a strict dress code.)
Sin+tax bar
The only bar on the African continent to make it into the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2019, thanks to having renowned mixologist Julian Short as its owner. Hidden on the corner of trendy and bustling Bolton and Jan Smuts Roads in Rosebank, this gem serves bespoke, readyto-serve cocktails mixed with the finest local spirits and botanicals.
the gin bar
This haven for gin devotees has a sheltered courtyard reminiscent of that which you’d find in Italy, Spain or Greece. Summer nights spent sipping on signature G&TS are sure to tie your heartstrings into a knot of pure ecstasy.
Aurum
On the seventh floor of Africa’s highest skyscraper, Aurum is one of the freshest outdoor experiences to grace the Sandton skyline. A revolutionary line-up of young chefs caters to lounge lovers’ fine-dining needs.