However, Johannesburg is much more than the beautiful landmarks, fancy restaurants and cafes that are continually featured on the Instagram accounts of visitors. There is another side to Johannesburg, which is filled with undiscovered restaurants, hit jazz clubs and excellent shopping spots. This is the alternative guide to that side of Johannesburg.
Johannesburg, South Africa, March 29-2018: Long exposure of busy city street with modern buildings in skyline.[/caption]
Culture and Heritage
There is no shortage of culture and heritage in the Johannesburg arts scene. The Market Theatre is a legendary Johannesburg space, filled with history and cultural significance, while the Soweto Theatre, managed by Johannesburg City Theatres, is situated in the vibrant cultural precinct of Jabulani. It’s an amazing venue and an architectural gem in its own right. As for the visual arts, the Bag Factory is a place where you can meet some of the top visual artists in South Africa and buy directly from them. You can also visit the Wits Art Museum in Braamfontein, which also features a vibrant schedule of shows, activities, exhibits and performances. Art Africa in Parkview is another spot that should not be missed as it features art pieces and artisanal creations from across the African continent. If you want something slightly edgier and more fun, King Kong on the Troyeville border is a happening spot located in an old industrial area. King Kong is a nightclub and performance artist hangout that features amazing views of the city and really fun parties.Live Music, Jazz Bars and Night Clubs
If you enjoy live music, Johannesburg has a range of highly rated jazz and music clubs. The Orbit Jazz Lounge in Braamfontein is one of the clubs in Johannesburg that is solely dedicated to live music performances and the ambience and acoustics in the club are second to none. Two other hidden bars that are excellent for settling down with a cool drink and taking in the music are The Bassline’s jazz room, and Kitcheners in Braamfontein. Kitcheners is an especially fun bar because it hosts a wide variety of clientele. In the morning and afternoon, older people visit to order a drink, chat and listen to music. Later on in the evening, students arrive and are noisy, boisterous and excited about hearing new music. The acoustics are not excellent at Kitcheners, but the crowd is almost always enthusiastic and ready to have an extremely good time. [caption id="attachment_132706" align="aligncenter" width="659"] Johannesburg, South Africa, March 29-2018: Long exposure of busy city street with modern buildings in skyline.[/caption]
