Johannesburg, known as Egoli or the City of Gold, combines apartheid history, street art, Soweto heritage and easy day trips to the Cradle of Humankind and Pretoria.
Johannesburg nightlife is spread across several suburbs rather than one district: Sandton for upscale rooftops and supperclubs, Rosebank and Melville for cocktails, Maboneng and Jeppestown for late-night bars, and Soweto for shisa nyama. Use Uber or Bolt door to door after dark.
Cocktail culture is strong, led by Rosebank's Sin+Tax, while Sandton's Alto234 offers sky-bar views from the 57th floor. Melville's 4th Avenue and 3rd Avenue hold casual bars, and Soweto's shisa nyama venues mix grilled meat, DJs and sport on big screens.
At a glance
- Peak hours
- Friday and Saturday 21:00-02:00; Sunday afternoons at Soweto shisa nyama venues
- Average drink
- Beer R35-R60 (~$2.10-$3.70); cocktail R90-R180 (~$5.50-$11); spirits and mixers R40-R80 (~$2.40-$4.90)
- Dress code
- Smart casual in most bars; smart and dressy at Sandton clubs and Alto234; casual at Soweto and Melville venues
- Cover charge
- Venue hours and door policies change often. Check each venue's social media before going and always take a ride-hailing car rather than walking between venues.
Nightlife districts
Where the action happens after dark.
Melville
Bars along 4th Avenue and 3rd Avenue near 7th Street
Best for: Cocktails and low-key drinks
Sandton
Sky bars, hotel lounges and supperclubs around Nelson Mandela Square
Best for: Dressing up and skyline views
Rosebank
Speakeasy cocktail bars and rooftop restaurants near Keyes Art Mile
Best for: Craft cocktails
Maboneng and Jeppestown
Cocktail bars and late-night venues east of the city centre
Best for: Late nights with locals
Soweto
Shisa nyama venues and Vilakazi Street restaurants with music
Best for: Braai, beer and DJ sets
Bars & pubs
Where locals drink.
Sin+Tax
Reservation-friendly speakeasy in Rosebank; call +27 10 900 2559 or email awe@sintaxbar.com.
Known for: Speakeasy-style cocktails; the only African bar to reach the World's 50 Best Bars list
Corner Bolton Rd and Jan Smuts Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196
Alto234
Sky bar with 360-degree views over Sandton and Johannesburg; book at alto234.co.za.
Known for: Sunset cocktails on Africa's highest urban bar
57th floor, The Leonardo, 75 Maude St, Sandown, Sandton 2196
Six Cocktail Bar
Melville staple with a casual crowd and late hours; cocktails around R90 to R150 (about $5.50 to $9).
Known for: Affordable cocktails and live music
90 3rd Ave, Melville, Johannesburg 2092
Smoking Kills Bar
Edgy Melville bar with rock, alternative and DJ nights; also on the World's 50 Best Discovery list.
Known for: Creative drinks and alternative music nights
78A 4th Ave, Melville, Johannesburg 2092
Shakers Cocktail Bar
Busy cocktail bar in the Maboneng area; phone +27 78 032 0025. Use Uber or Bolt to arrive and leave.
Known for: Themed cocktails, birthdays and late-night parties
300 Commissioner St, Jeppestown, Johannesburg 2043
Clubs
For dancing into the early hours.
Monarch Sandton
Supperclub in Sandton's 24 Central precinct known for high-energy DJ nights.
Cover: Varies by event; check Monarch's Instagram or Facebook
Hours: Evenings, mainly Thu-Sat; confirm on the venue's social pages
Chaf Pozi
Soweto shisa nyama at the Orlando Towers; book on +27 81 797 5756 or bookings@chafpozi.co.za.
Hours: Fri-Sun until 02:00 in winter; summer Fri-Sat 11:00-24:00, Sun 11:00-20:00; Mon-Tue by arrangement
Ubuntu Kraal Kasi Beer Garden
Kasi-style beer garden and brewery a short walk from Vilakazi Street.
Hours: Confirm by phone on +27 11 982 8290; typically afternoons and evenings, busiest Fri-Sun
Live entertainment
Music, theatre, and performance venues.
Moyo Melrose Arch
Sakhumzi Restaurant
Constitution Hill and Newtown theatres
Nightlife tips
Stay safe and have fun.
Use Uber or Bolt door to door after dark; do not walk between venues
Carry photo ID; door staff check age (18+ in South Africa)
Check venue hours on social media as they change and some bars close on Sundays and Mondays
Keep phones and wallets out of sight on the street
Book tables at Sin+Tax, Alto234 and Monarch for weekends