Categories > Guides and Tips
Birthdays in Gauteng: The Best Destinations for a Fun-filled Celebration
Your birthday is one of the most important days of the year, which is why it’s worth the penny and the effort to plan and make it a special celebration.
As we’re spoilt for choice in Gauteng, we handpicked some of the top locations in the locale to spend your birthday.
Where can you spend your birthday in Gauteng?
In this article, we featured the following venues where you can celebrate your birthday in Gauteng:
| Venue | Best for | Must tries |
| The Blades Hotel | Intimate to large gatherings (Up to 200 PAX) amongst nature | AmenitiesWater sports |
| AtholPlace House & Villa | Exclusive small to medium gatherings (Up to 40 PAX) | Wellness servicesDedicated services form the chef, butler, and housekeeper |
| Katy’s Palace Bar | Rustic-themed/barn-type celebrations | Live musicFireplaceBarDelicious food |
| The Ivy Champagne Garden | Small and casual outdoor gatherings (Up to 80 PAX) | FoodTaking photos of Johannesburg’s city skylineLive music |
| Prosopa | Medium-sized rustic-themed celebrations | Mediterranean-inspireded foodWine |
| Chartwell Castle | Medium to large outdoor celebrations | Hedgerow mazeCateringLuxurious accommodations |
| Riverside Castle | Small to large romantic and elegant celebrations (Up to 400 PAX) | Elegant ambienceDelicious food |
| Shepstone Gardens | Medium-sized garden celebrations (Up to 200 guests) | In-house decor teamFlower arrangements |
| Villa San Giovanni | Small to medium fine dining celebrations (Up to 200 PAX) | Authentic Italian food |
| God’s Gift Events | Small to medium cottage core-themed celebrations (Up to 120 PAX) | Main dishesStreetfoodBar |
Read on to learn more about each one below!
1. The Blades Hotel
| Website | https://theblades.co.za |
| Address | Kameeldrift Road, Kameeldrift East, Roodeplaat, South Africa |
| Contact details | +27 12 161 0802 |
| Rates and inclusions | Available upon request |
The Blades Hotel is a wonderful place to celebrate a birthday in Gauteng. It’s situated on a 10-hectare expanse amongst the peaceful suburb of Kameeldrift East and boasts stunning views of the Roodeplaat Dam and African bushveld.
The hotel has both indoor and outdoor venues that are perfect for birthday parties, accommodating small intimate celebrations or larger events with up to 200 guests.
The indigenous vegetation, landscaping and waterfront make everything feel so natural. We’re just obsessed with how stunning the view is here, especially during sundown.
It’s quite breezy outside too; and the mild chill was really enjoyable whilst socialising with friends and family.
Another feature we love about this hotel is its top-notch amenities, including a restaurant and bar, conference facilities, a spa, a swimming pool, and a deck with a view of the dam.
Additionally, for adventurous guests, The Blades provides opportunities for water sports such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and fishing.
The hotel even has a helicopter pad for those who want to arrive in style and just envisioning that scenario is jaw-dropping.
The accommodation at The Blades is luxurious and features elegant decor, comfortable beds, and en-suite bathrooms. Guests can choose from a variety of room types, including standard rooms, executive suites, and a presidential suite.
2. AtholPlace House & Villa
| Website | https://morukuru.com/ |
| Address | 90 Pretoria Ave, Atholl, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa |
| Contact details | +27 11 783 7553 |
| Rates | AtholPlace House – Allows for up to 40 guests priced at R 27 000AtholPlace Villa – Allows for up to 8 guests priced at R 18 000 |
| Inclusions | Safe and secure parkingComplimentary Wi-Fi throughout the venueFunction venue set upStandard function/conference equipmentService staffExclusive use of all facilities incl. swimming pool, private garden, bar and libraryCatering |
AtholPlace House & Villa is a boutique hotel and villa popular for its sophisticated decor, exceptional service, and excellent amenities.
This is a great choice if you’re planning a short guest list and are going for a free and easy staycation vibe. We just love how the tranquil gardens and pool area offer a peaceful ambience, making it an excellent location for a relaxed daytime celebration.
It actually features two rentable venues: the house, which can accommodate up to 40 guests, and the villa, which is designed for smaller celebrations and can accommodate up to eight guests.
AtholPlace’s villa is a standalone property that provides complete privacy and exclusivity for more significant birthday celebrations, so no need to worry about noise and disturbance from other guests. You’ll definitely have the space to yourselves!
The villa has three en-suite bedrooms, a spacious living area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private pool.
The hotel’s accommodation includes nine spacious suites, each uniquely decorated with luxurious furnishings and amenities such as Nespresso machines, minibars, and flat-screen TVs.
Guests can also enjoy the services of a private chef, butler, and housekeeper to ensure a smooth and stress-free celebration. You’ll truly feel like royalty, and you definitely could too.
We also love AtholPlace’s long list of wellness services, such as in-room massages, yoga classes, and personal training sessions.
3. Katy’s Palace Bar
| Website | https://katyspalacebar.co.za/ |
| Address | 6 Desmond Street, Kramerville, Sandton |
| Contact details | +27 72 607 4235 |
| Rates | R 35 000 |
| Inclusions | • Exclusive hire of the venue for your function• Access to the venue from 08h00 on the day of your function until 02h00• 3 Phase Power – 63amp• Backup generator• Fully equipped kitchen (if using our preferred suppliers)• Bathrooms – lower level (Including hand soaps/hand creams/towels)• Access to the cocktail-style furniture• Fully functional fireplace (1 x bag of wood)• Staffing |
If you’re looking for a spacious and chic venue, we suggest considering Katy’s Palace Bar. It’s an exceptional bar housed in a converted warehouse and has a quirky and colourful decor that includes vintage furniture, art, and unusual objects.
We love how they offer options for spaces where you could celebrate your birthday, from intimate private rooms to larger venues.
A popular option is the rooftop terrace (also our personal favourite), which offers panoramic views of the Johannesburg skyline as well as a lively atmosphere with live music and entertainment.
We also spent a lot of time at the bar area, which offers a wide range of drinks available, including specialty cocktails and craft beers. Another thing we love about this venue is its catering.
Their menus focus on global cuisine and creative dishes that will not disappoint. The food is always fresh and flavourful, ranging from tapas-style small plates to hearty main courses.
Katy’s Palace Bar is also well-known for hosting memorable events, thanks to a team of skilled event planners and staff who ensure that every detail is attended to. Their events packages are quite inclusive too, so you’re sure to get the value for your money.
4. The Ivy Champagne Garden
| Website | https://theivygarden.co.za/ |
| Address | 2 Arbroath Rd, Bedfordview, Germiston, 2007, South Africa |
| Contact details | +27 10 203 9054 |
| Rates and inclusions | Available upon request |
The Ivy Champagne Garden is a chic and sophisticated rooftop venue located in Johannesburg’s trendy Melrose Arch precinct. The venue offers stunning views of the city skyline as well as a lush, green setting, making it ideal for a birthday celebration.
We love this garden because it has comfortable seating, elegant decor, and a bar stocked with champagnes and other sparkling wines, as well as cocktails and other beverages.
Also, the food here is to die for! The menu includes everything from light bites and sharing platters to hearty mains and desserts, which are all mouthwatering.
We also like the intimate and stylish atmosphere of the venue which makes it an excellent choice for a small to medium-sized birthday celebration, housing up to 80 people.
If you plan to keep your celebration small, they also offer a private dining room.
We also love how the venue offers customisable packages, in which you can decide on including live music, decorations, and special menus, to create a personalised experience for your birthday celebration.
5. Prosopa
| Website | https://prosopa.co.za/ |
| Address | 103 Club Ave, Waterkloof Heights, Pretoria, 0181, South Africa |
| Contact details | +27 12 460 1663 |
| Rates and inclusions | Available upon request |
If you’re looking for a venue around Pretoria, Prosopa can be a promising choice. The restaurant features rustic decor, which includes exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and cosy lighting, creating a warm and inviting ambience.
The menu at the restaurant includes a variety of Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as fresh seafood, grilled meats, and vegetarian options. We just love how the food is obviously prepared with fresh ingredients, always leaving us wanting more.
Also, the restaurant has an extensive wine list, which we love. Make sure to try some of their red wine!
We also like how Prosopa offers options when it comes to celebration spaces. They have intimate private rooms available as well as a beautiful outdoor terrace.
The restaurant can seat up to 120 people, and the event spaces can be tailored to your specific requirements. They also offer their services in helping clients plan their celebrations– from menus and decorations to the programme and hosting.
6. Chartwell Castle
| Website | https://chartwellcastle.co.za/ |
| Address | 1 Hood Rd (Cnr. Watercombe), Chartwell West, Johannesburg, 2055, South Africa |
| Contact details | +27 10 227 0002 |
| Rates and inclusions | Available upon request |
Chartwell Castle is another popular birthday celebration venue in Gauteng. It’s a
guesthouse that has a formal dining room, an outdoor terrace, and a garden, which are designed for various gatherings and celebrations.
The event spaces can hold up to 120 people, and the venue offers customisable packages to meet your specific requirements.
Another feature we love about this venue is its amenities and unique design. They have a beautiful garden, a swimming pool, and the largest uninterrupted hedgerow maze, which could be a fun and unique activity for your guests.
Chartwell Castle’s catering is exceptional, with a focus on delectable flavours. The menu at the guesthouse includes buffet-style meals, plated dinners, and cocktail parties with a selection of canapes.
We definitely indulged in their delicious food, so try to wear something loose and gartered!
Chartwell Castle also provides luxurious overnight accommodations for you and your guests, featuring five suites with private bathrooms and under-floor heating, which have a sleeping capacity of 13 people.
7. Riverside Castle
| Website | https://riversidecastle.co.za |
| Address | Plot 204, Graham Road, Zwavelpoort St, 0001, South Africa |
| Contact details | +27 12 809 2676 |
| Rates and inclusions | Available upon request |
Riverside Castle is a lovely and romantic venue with stunning architecture, picturesque gardens, and a nearby tranquil river. If you’re planning an elegant celebration that looks like it’s drawn straight out of a fairytale, this is the perfect location.
Their most popular event space, the main reception hall, can accommodate up to 180 guests. We are just in awe of how detailed the architecture of this venue is – it really felt like we were dining like royalty!
But if you’re looking for a smaller or bigger space, Riverside Castle also has a summer kitchen and a piazza that can host 80 and 400 guests respectively.
We love how Riverside Castle serves delectable dishes, and that their menu can be tailored to your specific tastes. We recommend their pizzas and braai, which are both mouthwatering.
We also appreciate the staff’s dedication to helping out with events. The event coordinator is very hands-on and enthusiastic about assisting clients in planning the perfect celebration.
8. Shepstone Gardens
| Website | https://www.shepstonegardens.co.za/ |
| Address | 12 Hope Rd, Mountain View, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa |
| Contact details | +27 10 745 5192 |
| Rates and inclusions | Available upon request |
Shepstone Gardens is an event venue located in the suburb of Mountain View in
Johannesburg, Gauteng that can accommodate up to 200 guests.
They rent out a spacious hall and a fancy garden so you can decide whether to go for an indoor or an outdoor celebration.
We suggest going for the outdoor space though because we really enjoyed the lush greenery, the fresh scent of flowers, and the tranquil atmosphere.
Shepstone Gardens also has an in-house décor and floral team who are creative and eager to come up with venue setups thoroughly tailored for their clients. The team always ends up creating a magical ambience that leaves guests in awe.
We also appreciate how aside from venue hire and decorations, Shepstone Gardens also offers other services like bar and catering, DJ, audio-visual equipment setup, and event coordination.
Here’s an insider’s tip: they just recently launched their new website and the good news is, to celebrate this milestone, they’re offering huge discounts on venue hire!
9. Villa San Giovanni
| Website | https://vsg.co.za/ |
| Address | Wonderboom Airport Main Terminal Building, Linvelt Rd, Doornpoort, Pretoria, 0110, South Africa |
| Contact details | +27 12 111 8888 |
| Rates and inclusions | Available upon request |
If you’re craving Italian, why not go for a classic and consider Villa San Giovanni? They’re a popular and versatile event venue in Pretoria that features fine dining, a terrace and pizzeria, a jet lounge, a playground, and a hotel.
They’re well-known for delicious and authentic Italian dishes, which are personally prepared by the restaurant’s owner and Chef, Giovanni Maiorana.
Every time we drop by for a visit, our stomachs just grumble from the inviting smells coming from the kitchen!
The venue offers a range of event spaces for indoor and elegant setups or casual outdoor celebrations. Each space varies in style and guest capacity, ranging from 50 to 200 guests.
The terrace and pizzeria are one of their most in-demand event spaces, which are set alongside the airport runway. We just love how the space features an airy outdoor area with plenty of natural light and gentle breezes.
They also have in-house party stylists that can help you out with curating the menu, setting up decorations and hosting your birthday celebration.
10. God’s Gift Events
| Website | https://www.godsgiftevents.com/ |
| Address | God’s Gift Events, Plot 402 Graham road, Zwavelpoort, Pretoria, 0081, South Africa |
| Contact details | +27 82 773 9033 |
| Rates and inclusions | Available upon request |
God’s Gift Events is perfect for nature lovers and those looking for a venue that’s out of the ordinary. Their event space and farm are located in the tranquil suburb of Bedfordview, Johannesburg.
The venue is suitable for a range of events, including weddings, corporate events, and of course, birthday parties. With all the trees and shrubs around, we think this is the perfect venue if you’re into cottagecore!
God’s Gift Events’ venue can accommodate up to 120 guests and features a large and organic garden area with a pool, a spacious indoor area, and an intimate outdoor terrace.
The whole place feels very organic – personally, we found dining under the trees and mingling with friends and family surrounded by pretty fairy lights very magical.
One thing they’re very proud of is their food offerings, which are truly delicious and filling. Their chef is accommodating and is always up for a new challenge so feel free to customise your celebration’s menu as you please.
Another notable feature of God’s Gift Events is they also offer street food, a gin bar or beer on tap, and live music, which is just perfect for intimate celebrations.
God’s Gift Events, in addition to event spaces and catering, provides a variety of additional services to ensure the success of your birthday celebration.
Decor and styling, sound and lighting, and photography and videography are among the services offered.
