The Best Cocktail Bars in Johannesburg

Rooftop bars are an excellent way to make the most of great weather and magnificent cityscapes
Rooftop bars are an excellent way to make the most of great weather and magnificent cityscapes | © David Buzzard / Alamy Stock Photo
Heather Mason

South Africa has historically been a beer- and wine-drinking country. But the artisanal cocktail movement has exploded in recent years, together with the craft gin movement. Today, there are many great spots in Jo’burg with sophisticated, carefully curated cocktail menus without a Long Island Iced Tea or Sex on the Beach in sight.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

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A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

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SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

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SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

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EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

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ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

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From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

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An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Johannesburg has a number of cocktail bars suitable to all tastes

Sin + Tax

Modelled on the concept of an American speakeasy, Sin + Tax is hidden behind an unmarked door in an alleyway in Jo’burg‘s Parkwood neighbourhood. (To find it, look for the giant elephant graffiti mural painted on the wall.) Like any respectable speakeasy, the inside of Sin + Tax is dark, without any windows. Acclaimed bartender/owner Julian Short creates a new seasonal menu several times yearly. The drinks, each one carefully concocted with mostly house-made ingredients, are served with free popcorn.

Mix Cocktail Bar

Mix Cocktail Bar is at the back of the swanky, members-only Mesh Club in Rosebank’s Keyes Art Mile. The private club opens to the public at 4pm, when the party starts at Mix. The bar’s decor is modern and bright, and the outdoor balcony has a great view of the sunset over Jo’burg’s northern suburbs. Each cocktail is a work of art, incorporating as many seasonal ingredients as possible.

Tonic

Tonic, as the name implies, is a gin bar specialising in gin and tonics. Located in the friendly-yet-trendy suburb of Linden, Tonic is known for its lovely interior featuring a graffiti-like portrait of a young Queen Elizabeth II. A cursive neon sign reads: “When life hands you lemons, make a G&T.” Tonic has a massive selection of gins that can be constructed into cocktails of all shapes, sizes and colours. The adjoining restaurant, Tanen, is under the same ownership and offers excellent tapas to Tonic’s drinkers.

The Little Fox

The Little Fox is also a gin bar, hidden in an old warehouse at the end of an alleyway in the downtown 1 Fox Precinct (around the corner from Urbanologi restaurant). The Little Fox adjoins the Ginologist, a local gin distillery. The Little Fox is somehow grungy and elegant all at once; the dark furniture and elaborate light fixtures create a steampunk-like feel. Hungry customers can order pizza from the Mad Giant Brewery next door.

Smoking Kills

Smoking Kills is the closest thing Melville has to a speakeasy, with an entrance that is nearly invisible during the day when the bar is closed. At night, Smoking Kills becomes a high-end cocktail joint masquerading as a dive, specialising in rum drinks and Cuban sandwiches. Only the coolest of the cool know Smoking Kills exists, yet the vibe is fun and unpretentious. True to its name, Smoking Kills somehow manages to flout South African law and allow smoking inside.

A Streetbar Named Desire

Many of the city’s bars have sophisticated cocktail menus

Obviously named for the classic Tennessee Williams play, A Streetbar Named Desire is one of Jo’burg’s hottest Friday night hangouts. The first-floor balcony, which overlooks the busy corner of Chester Road and Jan Smuts Avenue, does have the feel of a 19th-century New Orleans mansion, although curiously the menu is Mediterranean tapas and bar snacks. (Go figure.) But Streetbar’s food is tasty, and the cocktail names – “The Kindness of Strangers”, “A Woman’s Charm”, “Epic Fornications” and “Coarse Behaviour”, to name a few – evoke Williams’ sultry prose. Arrive early on weekend evenings to avoid the crowds.

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