Written by: Leah Reed Forbes
Joburg is a famously friendly city. Where Cape Tonians are accused of ditching you at the last minute because it’s a great day for the mountain, and Durbanites have a wave to catch, all we really have is each other. It means that here, community is everything.
While you watch stories of people joining running clubs and logging PBs at Hyrox, you might find your personal taste as a hobbyist to be of the less conventional variety. There’s plenty to do in Joburg, and finding your people is as easy as finding your community. This is a guide to the unique hobbies that Joburgers are doing every week.
Rock Climbing
CrossFit isn’t your vibe, but you’re down for a hobby that gets you strong, teaches you new skills, focuses on community, and encourages outdoor exploration? You’ll probably love rock climbing, as long as you’re not afraid of heights. Two major rock climbing gyms in Joburg include CityROCK, which has bouldering and high wall facilities, and Friends and Allies, which is a community-based bouldering gym. Both have a yoga studio and fitness training zones.
Community is essential in rock climbing, and you’ll find friendly faces willing to help - although “spraying beta” (giving unsolicited advice on how to solve a puzzle) is frowned upon, so if you want help, you’ll have to pluck up the courage to ask for it.
These are great spaces to foster “belaytionships” and find yourself out in the mountains with a crew of experienced climbers who want to support your journey into sending it. City Rock is at 46 Fourth Ave S, Fontainebleau, Randburg Friends & Allies is at 304 Tungsten Rd, Strydompark.
Improv Comedy
For the extroverts who think quickly on their feet, there’s a community just for you. Improv comedy is not only a theatrical space to express your creativity, but an important skill in honing confidence for life. Quick-thinking, creative reactions, and of course, the “yes, and-” are the keys to finding a sense of play in a community of fun people who love to think outside the box. It’s a collaborative art form where an ensemble works together to create a scene from games and prompts.
The Assembly Improv offers a weekly class schedule for all levels, as well as a free drop-in class once a month. No experience needed - they believe anyone can do improv. Find them at 47 Main Street, Linden.
Pottery & Mosaic
There are a number of mosaic classes in Joburg, offering a space for absolute beginners or more experienced creators. Learn to combine materials like stone, tiles and shells together to form a completely unique piece. If you love hands-on arts and crafts, a skill like pottery might be the best way to create one-of-a-kind pieces for gifts or for your home.
There are plenty of pottery studios in Joburg, like The Melville Mudroom and All Things Clay. Between you and me, I’ve found that doing something creative with my hands is the single best way to get away from screen time. Not only that, but a chance to do something expressive without being overly attached to the outcome has been spectacular for my mental health.
Tabletop Gaming Roll for initiative because the Joburg geek community is alive and well! Nexus Hub is located in Ferndale and pride themselves on being a leading destination in all things gaming and geek. They sell video games, board games, comics and collectables but the real draw card here is the community.
They have a fully outfitted LAN section and an events hall that hosts weekly Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! tournaments, quiz nights, board game evenings and Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. For someone looking to dip their toes into the tabletop gaming world, this is the perfect place to find your people. There’s also a South African Dungeons & Dragons Facebook group for anyone looking to connect with fellow campaigners.
Pole Dancing
If getting fit and learning new skills is your idea of a good time, consider challenging yourself with a pole dancing or aerial class. Excellent for anyone looking to improve their core strength, make new friends and feel confident in your body.
Pole dancing is a sport that has many faces; if you’re looking to feel sexy there are sensual classes that can facilitate that, and if you’re more interested in getting strong and fit you can do that too. Try a beginner class at The Poling Station in Blairgowrie to get going. Be warned: side effects include bruises and a radical increase in self-love.
Sword Fighting For history buffs and LARPers alike, Ésprit de Combat exists to make Historical European Martial Arts more accessible and is the largest club of its kind in South Africa. They focus on teaching weapons skills from the 17-19th centuries like sabre, broadswords and smallwords, as well as bayonet fencing. They provide basic weaponry and protection for beginners. They’re currently based in Brooklyn, Pretoria.
Whether it’s alternative fitness activities or something more creative, Joburg is a dream for anyone looking for a hobby outside the mainstream. Find community, grow your skills, and most importantly, put your phone away for an hour and do something that leaves you with a sense of profound accomplishment as you explore unconventional hobbies in Joburg. For everything in between, check out Hobby-x from 30 April to 3 May 2026 at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit.