Zwipi Underground Bar
Have you ever wanted to have a dinner in a bank vault? Well, me neither (I mean, that would be a weird location to dream of having a meal). But, Zwipi Underground Bar makes it work! The bar is located underground, in the United Safety Deposit bank vault. When people first heard about this place, it caused a real frenzy because people weren’t sure if it was even real. Last year, they underwent renovations to make a “real” bar and dining experience, with five themed rooms. Zwipi is open Thursday to Saturday for the public, but do check for availability in advance because the place is usually booked out.
Dr Pachanga
If you don’t mind dropping a pretty penny for quality local products, then you should head to Dr Pachanga. This brand offers high-end to ladies, men’s and children’s fashion. They combine quality design with African print. The Joburg branch of this store is located in Parkhurst. The handbags are absolutely to die for!
Gabriella’s Tea Room
As for hidden gems in the city, Gabriella’s Tea Room is definitely one you should try! Having grown up in a kitchen, this restaurant is an homage to Gabriella’s family heritage, mixing the best of Italian, South African and East Asian cuisine. They also have some of the best Falafel and pastry in the city. There’s also vegetarian, and gluten-free options available. Make sure you try some of their sweets too! Bookings are essential at this restaurant as it’s quite small and intimate.
Banele Khoza Studio
Banele Khoza Studio (BKhz) is a new gallery that opened in 2018. BKhz is located in Braamfontein, the Cool Kid Capital, and is a far cry from the traditional cold and intimidating atmosphere of galleries. With its pastel interiors and intimate feel, it provides a very welcoming vibe for all. The space showcases and celebrates both art and design, and is split into two sections: an open-plan exhibition space for artists to exhibit their work and a secluded area where you’ll find own Banele’s works on display. You’ll find mainly paintings and collages on exhibition. This gallery is special as it also houses Banele’s studio.
Hashtag Escape
The escape room fad may have died down slightly, but we’ve been wondering where we can experience this in Joburg and were introduced to Hashtag Escape. They offer three game rooms where you and your loved ones can spend an hour solving clues and puzzles to escape the room. The three rooms are The Rebel Room, the Closure Room, and the Hackout Room. It’s a lot of fun, suitable for the kids and really easy to book online. No payment is required to secure a booking either.
Street Art Walk
Not many people would consider graffiti as art, but we beg to differ which is why we’re fans of the Street Art Walks with Bongani Mathebula (of Jozy Triangle Tours). Jozy Triangle specialises in street art tours around the city of Johannesburg – the smorgasbord of unique street art. And they offer tours both day and night. But they don’t only stop at street art: they also offer Joburg Treasure Tour, which entails a full-day tour, where you explore different parts of the city. It starts in Maboneng and goes through Gandhi Square, Newtown and Braamfontein. Look on their website for all the different tours.
