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Have a blast with your bros with the 7 best bachelor party ideas in Johannesburg!
Bachelor parties are a great, fun time; one last hurrah before you’re off to married bliss with your soulmate. I remember when I got married, the bachelor party my boetie and close friends threw for me was jam-packed with some of the most fun and memorable experiences I’ve had!
I’ve also had to attend a great number of bachelor parties, as well as organise a few of them, and I’ve learned that there are some truly great spots for a big hangout with the bros.
Whether you’re a nerdy, sporty, or elegant groom, here are some ideas I’ve taken from the bachelor parties that I’ve attended over the years.
Drinks at Six Cocktail Bar
Media from: @sixcocktailbar
Address: 90 3rd Ave, Melville
Phone: +27 83 623 7950
Price: $$
Six Cocktail Bar is a chic, affordable bar that hosts a variety of shows. Whether you’re there for the drinks, the live music, or the stand-up comedy, it’s a fun, wonderful choice for a special night out with the boys.
This bar prides itself on serving some truly lekker food and cocktails, with their pizzas being a standout.
Their bartenders and mixologists were also quite knowledgeable and friendly. The SIX’s Godfather cocktail is their delicious, sweet specialty drink.
When I went bar hopping with my friends as part of a bachelor party, Six stood out because of the delicious food and engaging performances. We caught their stand-up night, which had us howling with laughter!
| Pro tip: Six Cocktail Bar has a 2-for-1 special during happy hour! It’s a great deal, especially if you can make it there from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. |
Paintball at Battle Zone Paintball
Media from: @battlezonepaintball
Website: https://battlezone.co.za/
Address: 43 Sloane St, Bryanston
Phone: +27 71 671 1236
Price: $$
If you and the boys are looking for one last adrenaline rush before the wedding, then Battle Zone Paintball is a great place to have some thrilling outdoor fun! While the facilities also host all sorts of other activities like laser tag, quad biking, archery, and airsoft, paintball is the star of the show here.
It’s one of the main paintball facilities in Johannesburg for both amateur and professional players. They also make sure to strictly observe the safety regulations around paintball, with protective gear being provided and rules being explained before playing.
As a complete paintball novice, I was a little concerned about heading down to Battle Zone for my younger brother’s bachelor party. Thankfully, their staff was more than willing to explain the rules and the mechanics of the games, and our team ended up winning. I even got a few good shots in!
| Pro tip: Battle Zone offers in-house catering! They’re a great option for some braai lamb and vegetables for a group of people, as well as assorted platters. |
Go-Kart Racing at RBEK
Media from: rbekelectricgokarting
Website: https://www.rbek.co.za/
Address: 50 Bath Ave, Rosebank
Phone: +27 11 764 2771
Price: $$
For some, nothing beats the thrill of going fast and living out your inner Dominic Toretto with the boys—your family, if you will. If you and your friends are into high-octane racing, then RBEK Electric Go Karting offers one of the country’s premier indoor go-kart racing experiences.
RBEK’s professional, state-of-the-art course is specially designed to give racers of all skill levels sharp turns and counters to master through practice. The course uses the Sodi RSX2 electric go-kart, which tops out at around 80 km/h and uses Formula 1-grade parts.
The groom at my last bachelor party rented out the course for the day and even held his own braai there, and it was a blast! It was exhilarating getting to compete with friends for the top score and mastering the different contours of the track.
| Pro tip: If you’re especially interested in becoming a pro go-kart racer, RBEK has an electric karting school for racers of all skill levels. |
Game Night at Nexus Hub
Media from: @dmguildza
Website: https://nexushub.co.za
Address: 21 Harley St, Ferndale
Phone: +27 11 789 8215
Price: $$
Nexus Hub is, put simply, a geek’s paradise. This gaming store and lounge has dedicated gaming areas for every facet of geek and nerd culture.
If you and the groomsmen love all things geeky, then Nexus has something for you. They have comfy console setups, spaces for card games like Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon, and even spots for tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons and Dragons.
Nexus was a big part of my friend’s bachelor party since he’s very passionate about gaming, especially Pokémon. I learned how to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game, we played a hilarious one-off session of Dungeons and Dragons, and we ended the day playing some Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart!
| Pro tip: There’s also a restaurant within the Nexus Hub that serves great food. I loved their sandwiches! |
Obstacle Courses at Acrobranch Adventure Park
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Website: https://acrobranch.co.za/
Address: James and Ethel Grey Park, Melrose St, Birdhaven
Phone: +27 21 201 1121
Price: $$
Acrobranch Adventure Park is a vast, sprawling outdoor treetop obstacle course with tons to do for you and the groomsmen. Their Johannesburg branch stands out especially because of their thrilling ziplines and Tarzan jumps; you’ll have a great time navigating everything!
It’s a fun time for groomsmen who love physical fitness and the outdoors, and even then, the facilities cater to guests of all fitness levels. They also make sure to follow safety regulations, with treetop adventurers being secured tightly with harnesses and safety gear before their excursions.
I’m not the most physically fit guy out there, and when a college friend of mine invited me here for his bachelor party, I was worried about how I’d do. I struggled a little bit at first, but braving the course with my friends and conquering new heights was such an unforgettable experience for everyone!
| Pro tip: Acrobranch offers catering through their partner business, Food For All. |
Golf at Houghton Golf Club
Media from: @houghtongolfclub
Website: https://www.houghton.co.za/
Address: Osborn Rd, Houghton Estate
Phone: +27 11 728 7337
Price: $$$
If your best man has a more refined taste, then consider playing a full game at the Houghton Golf Club. One of Joburg’s oldest and most prestigious golf courses, Houghton has some of the nicest facilities and spaces to shoot 18 holes with your buddies.
While it is still par for the course for a golf club to be expensive, this one offers a lot of value for money. Guests have the option of paying for a full day at the course with full-course catering, free parking, and special gifts and prizes!
One of my friends, who’s a bit of an ngamla, had his bachelor party at Houghton, and playing a full game of golf at the lush, tranquil golf course was tiring but really fun. They also had a tennis court, a pool, and a volleyball court, which we all had great fun playing in!
| Pro tips: Houghton also has a restaurant that serves healthy, delectable meals like pizza, grilled chicken, and burgers. Houghton’s prices go down significantly if you spring for a membership. |
Rock out at Smoking Kills Bar
Media from: @smokingkillsbar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smokingkillsbar/
Address: 78a Avenue, 4th Ave, Melville
Phone: +27 79 950 7385
Price: $$
If you love loud, abrasive, no-nonsense live music and great drinks, then Smoking Kills is a fantastic dive bar to spend a night out with the boys.
It’s an especially great spot if you’re into local, indie music and discovering new talent, as it’s often a hub for underground bands and artists to hang out and perform in. This bar shines with its DIY, down-to-earth punk aesthetic, with cool, red lighting and classic band logos plastered along the walls.
Moreover, the drinks and cocktails here are great. My boys and I got a round of their rum and Cokes, which we thoroughly enjoyed.
My friend opted to have his bachelor party during Smoking Kills’ live music night, where we got to have drinks and rock out to some of Joburg’s finest underground musicians.
| Pro tip: Smoking Kills prides itself on its fantastic community, and I can’t help but agree! If you want to meet new people in the underground music scene, then this bar is a great place to start. |
