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Have a drink at the best cocktail Bars in Johannesburg
Cocktail bars are the place to be if you want to enjoy mixology—from specialty concoctions made by the establishment’s bartenders to the classics such as margaritas, mojitos, Manhattans, and martinis. Fortunately, Johannesburg has tons of these bars!
From 100% pure cocktail headquarters to full-on-service restaurants with cocktails being served on the side, this guide will give you an overview of the best cocktail bars in Johannesburg. Let’s check out these masters of mixology!
1. Dandelion Cocktail Bar
Address: Northcliff, Randburg, 2115, South Africa
Distance from JO: 57 minutes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDandelionCocktailBar/
Contact Number: +27 63 295 3188
Operating Hours
- Tuesday to Thursday, 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday, 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
The Dandelion Cocktail Bar isn’t just a great place to sample amazing beers and mixed drinks. It’s also a fun venue to feast on amazing pizza while chatting with your friends or colleagues.
It has an industrial and modern vibe to it, making it very inviting to young professionals, couples, and those who are young at heart. You can cut down on some calories by ordering their Castle Lite Beer, or you can also order their specialty martini.
Pro Tip: The Dandelion Cocktail Bar usually features seasonal specialty mixes. It previously offered a sweet and tangy drink called the Candy Apple, which had a limited run. So don’t forget to ask the bartender if they have any specials! |
2. Jo’Anna Melt Bar
Address: 7 7th St, Melville, Johannesburg, 2109, South Africa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoAnnaMeltBar
Contact Number: +27 72 733 5966
Operating Hours
- Tuesday to Saturday, 12:00 NN to 2:00 AM
- Sunday, 12:00 NN to 11:30 PM
- Closed on Monday
Jo’Anna Melt Bar has a modern vibe combined with bohemian decors adding to its appeal. However, its main draw is its comprehensive drinks selection!
It has the classics such as tequilas, martinis, and margaritas. However, you’ll probably notice a lot of customers ordering a pint of beer or Guinness, and it’s not surprising why; these drinks have that refreshing fizz thanks to them coming directly from the tap.
Pro Tip: The bar has different deals depending on the season and the day of the week. Tuesday is usually half-price tequila while other special holidays (such as Father’s Day or Saint Patrick’s Day) also feature discounted drinks! |
3. Marble Restaurant
Address: Trumpet on Keyes Corner 19 Keyes, Jellicoe Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Website: https://marble.restaurant/
Contact Number: +27 10 594 5550
Operating Hours
- Monday to Sunday, 12:00 NN to 10:00 PM
Marble Restaurant isn’t just a cocktail bar, and you’ll know it immediately once you step inside. It’s an elegant restaurant that will evoke the feeling of exclusive hotel restaurants and fine dining; it just looks stunning all throughout!
It’s decked with elegant lighting, posh furniture, and intricately plated meals all to make you better appreciate the experience. They also have a glass cabinet that they call their “cellar” where you can choose from various wines, MCCs, and champagnes.
Pro Tip: You can order from two different menus here—the regular restaurant menu and the bar menu. The restaurant menu features full meals and wines while the bar menu showcases bar snacks and their signature cocktails. |
4. The Blind Tiger
Address: 62 Tyrone Ave, Parkview, Randburg, 2122, South Africa
Distance from JO: 39 minutes
Website: https://blindtiger.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 76 030 4200
Operating Hours
- Tuesday, 12:00 NN to 11:00 PM
- Wednesday to Saturday, 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Closed on Monday
Reminiscent of an Irish pub, the Blind Tiger exudes an air of sophistication. It still has that fun atmosphere, to be sure, but this bar gives off the feeling that you can actually have a sit-down meeting here while downing drinks.
Their selection of beverages is also quite varied ranging from martinis, scotch, whiskey, bourbon, bubbly, and signature cocktails. If you don’t feel like drinking some of their alcoholic offerings, they also have some coffees on the menu.
Pro Tip: You can enjoy your food and drink in their indoor or outdoor seating. Their outdoor area though is where most smokers hang out, so unless you want to light a cigar up, it’s best to stay indoors. |
5. The Ivy Champagne Garden
Address: 2 Arbroath Rd, Bedfordview, Germiston, 2007, South Africa
Distance from JO: 42 minutes
Website: https://theivygarden.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 10 203 9054
Operating Hours
- Monday to Wednesday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Thursday, 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Friday, 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday, 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday, 12:00 to 10:00 PM
The Ivy Champagne Garden is one of the most charming cocktail bars on this side of Johannesburg. From its mostly open-air seating area, you get a fantastic view of the city skyline and the bright city lights when you visit at night.
What we liked about this establishment though is the variety of drinks and food items on offer. Ordering their cuisine and beverages here feels like travelling across the globe, as they have sushis, tapas, burgers, salads, cocktails, wines, champagnes, and more!
Pro Tip: The Ivy Champagne Garden is a reservations-only cocktail bar, so you have to book in advance to secure a slot via this link. It’s all for the best, as the place can get crowded quickly and the bar’s capacity is quite limited. |
6. SIX Cocktail Bar
Address: 90 3rd Ave, Melville, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SIXCocktailBar/
Contact Number: +27 83 623 7950
Operating Hours
- Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM
The Six Cocktail Bar is a simpler no-frills cocktail bar that doesn’t rely on a lot of gimmicks. Instead, it has a traditional bar setup handled by a professional bartender with tons of drinks and bar snacks to choose from; it’s as simple as that!
You might also get a bit of a Western or Mexican vibe from this place. The drinks are as good as they can get with the likes of Cosmopolitan, Senorita Caliente, and their Strawberry Champ Cocktail.
Pro Tip: There are snack items you can order here too if you’re planning on drinking the night away with friends or colleagues. Their best-seller is cheesy nachos, and it’s something you should definitely order and pair up with their drinks! |
7. Sin+Tax
Address: Corner of Bolton & Jan Smuts Roads, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
Website: https://sintaxbar.com/
Contact Number: +27 10 900 2559
Operating Hours
- Wednesday to Friday, 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Saturday, 3:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Closed from Sunday to Tuesday
Sin+Tax can be described as an artsy cocktail bar filled with interesting trinkets, artwork, and woodcraft. The bar is also pretty laid-back with seats designed for comfort and convenience.
They also offer some of the most interesting signature cocktails such as the Afrogoni, Cape Old Fashioned, Leaf Litter, and Dry Martini. If you want to enjoy these special drinks in the comfort of your own home, you can also order them bottled!
Pro Tip: Try their three-bottle pack. This collection includes their top three best-selling mixes—Afrogini, Cape Old Fashioned, and Dry Martini—all for ZAR 1,070. |
8. A Streetbar Named Desire
Address: 144 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Randburg, 2193, South Africa
Distance from JO: 22 minutes
Website: https://www.streetbar.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 11 268 6485
Operating Hours
- Monday to Sunday, 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Paying homage to the classic movie (A Streetcar Named Desire), this cocktail bar oozes with artistic flair, and we love them for it! Their walls are decked with classical paintings while the DJ’s podium has quirky prints on it adding to the place’s eclectic charm!
Instead of the standard per-glass cocktail, they serve by the bottle but with a generous number of mixers thrown in (6 mixers to be exact). Their best-sellers such as the Don Julio Reposado and Glenmorangie 10 Yr Old are a must-try!
Pro Tip: If you’re planning to hold an event or a group party, the bar can also provide special set menus for up to 100 pax. These packages come with drinks and bar snacks that will ensure your guests enjoy your party! |
9. Tiger’s Milk
Address: Melrose Arch, Shop 004H3 4 High Street, Melrose North, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Website: https://tigersmilk.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 10 035 6707
Operating Hours
- Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
With its combination of industrial and modern decor in its facade and its interiors, Tiger’s Milk is a sure winner for young professionals and adults. Here, you can kick back and relax comfortably in your chair as you enjoy the drinks prepared by the bartender.
Some of these beverages include their signature cocktails like Silver Summer, Summer Fruit Collins, and their special Coconut Margarita. We highly recommend that you try out their in-house beer called Tiger’s Milk Lager, which you can buy straight from the tap!
Pro Tip: If you’re vegan, then this cocktail bar might be what you’re looking for. They offer gluten-free and vegan menu items such as their vegan pizza, feta and avo, and halloumi salad. |
10. Social on Main
Address: 1 Posthouse Street Corner Main Road and, Posthouse St, Bryanston, Sandton, 2021, South Africa
Distance from JO: 44 minutes
Website: https://socialonmain.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 76 609 5585
Operating Hours
- Monday to Thursday, 12:00 NN to 11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday, 12:00 NN to 1:00 AM
- Sunday, 12:00 NN to 9:00 PM
Social on Main prides itself on being a neighbourhood eatery serving comfort food, but believe us when we tell you this cocktail bar is anything but ordinary. In the morning and during lunch, it looks like an upscale restaurant that serves to-die-for drinks and mixers!
They have plenty of options ranging from cocktails, sparkly and fruity drinks, wines, tequilas, and champagnes. The bar also offers beers on tap such as Heneiken, Jack Black, and CRC amber along with gin tonics and a garnish of your choice!
Pro Tip: Check out their social media page for any promos. They usually have specials during specific days of the week such as their recent promo of bottomless mimosas every Sunday from 12:00 NN to 4:00 PM. |