Island Bar at Southern Sun Hyde Park

For delicious cocktails, a fun vibe, and great music with a classic and elegant feel, pay a visit to Island Bar at Southern Sun Hyde Park. It’s the perfect spot for after work socialising with colleagues and friends. Grab a cocktail and dig into a light meal while watching the Highveld sunset from their rooftop pool deck. Sundowners with a stunning view of the city? It can’t get any better than that!

Jolly Cool, Parkhurst

This one has been around for many years! To this day, it’s still one of the coolest hangouts in Parkhurst. Head through to Jolly Cool to play a few rounds of pool. Where you can grab a bite to eat, hang out with your mates. Furthermore, you can have a few drinks to unwind, and have a jolly good time. This popular hangout is the place to be after 17:00, so make sure that you arrive early (finding parking can be a nightmare). With reasonably priced food and drinks, this is the best way to chill out. Don’t leave without grabbing one of their pizzas!

Jolly Roger Restaurant & Pub

Directly across from Jolly Cool is the Jolly Roger Restaurant & Pub. From the moment you walk into this one, you instantly get the feeling of a traditional British pub. It’s crowded, rather loud and can be smokey but the vibe is homey and friendly. Along with the warm atmosphere, there’s also beer on tap, delicious pub food and friendly service.

SIX Cocktail Bar

This stylish and upbeat little spot is a gem in the Melville precinct. It gives you great music, a social environment and drinks. Moreover, you are given a choice of 60 different cocktails and meals. (in case you get a little hungry with all that drinking) all rolled up into one trendy, exciting and interesting venue. Happy Hour lasts for seven hours, from 12:00 until 19:00 daily (yes, EVERY DAY!), and during this extended hour you can enjoy their special of two-for-the-price-of-one cocktails. Go easy on the Long Island Ice Tea though, two of those and you’ll be under the table if you’re a lightweight.

Billy the B.U.M’s, Fourways

This one is an oldie but a goodie! Billy’s is a bar/cocktail lounge that caters for a more mature scene. With a variety of over 60 different cocktails and mixed drinks, good food and awesome tunes, this is the ideal spot to wind down the week. Sit and chill in the seated areas and socialise with friends or, if you feel like busting a move, there is a DJ playing the latest music – feel free to make requests if you want to dance to your favourite tunes (there’s always a great 80s track in the line-up).

The Baron

Everybody knows The Baron! And luckily, this one can be found all over the city. There’s one in Bedfordview, Kyalami, Fourways, Bryanston, Sandown and Woodmead, so take your pick, call up your mates and head down to the bar for a cold one (you can find us at the Sandown and Fourways venues more often than not). You can expect a good atmosphere, outstanding service, vintage wines, interesting cocktails and good food. What’s nice about this place is the fact that you can visit as a family for a good meal or for a night out on the town. It’s versatile, relaxed and easy-going. Also, it’s a FREE WiFi spot! You can’t go wrong with this after work spot!

011 Dainfern

Brought to you by The Baron, 011 Dainfern is an upmarket hotspots offering a lovely setting to relax after your hectic day of meetings, deadlines, presentations, fussy clients and millions of emails. Order a martini just the way you like it, tuck into something delicious from their menu (we love the sound of the lamb curry, especially if it’s a little chilly outside) and be a little daring by trying out one or two of their refreshing and interesting cocktails.

Hogshead

Hogshead is a great hangout after work if you’re in the mood for grabbing a few drinks and meeting up with your mates. It’s one of the more popular restaurant/pubs in the city and offers everything from beer and burgers to a bar and even a kid-friendly section if you’re visiting with the family. To help you relax, you can catch various sporting events on their TVs or make use use of their Wi-Fi to update your Facebook check-in or Instagram or even finish some last minute work (if you have to).

The Radium Beer Hall 

Enjoy a night on the town in one of Joburg’s oldest bars. Expect live performances by local musicians and song writers, check out the new talent on the music scene, have a drink at famous Barman Larry’s Savannah Dry bar; and enjoy a great meal. With walls covered in old memorabilia, posters from ‘back in the day’ and newspaper clippings that have recorded the Radium Beerhall’s history, this bar definitely does give off the vintage vibe.

Hell’s Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen is a rockabilly-themed bar in the heart of Melville. It’s got amazing décor that’s sure to catch your eye from the minute you set foot inside! Their food is very tasty and is best washed down with their signature Hellfire Whisky! Perch yourself on one of the comfy leather couches. Wind down while you listen to their awesome lineup of rock music. Let the mayhem begin!

Social On Main

If it’s cocktails you want, it’s cocktails you’ll get at Social On Main. Their cocktail menu is amazing and comprehensive. It has something for all tastes and palates, and the food…. so delicious! This one is a must if you find yourself in Bryanston and need an after work hangout.

Colony Arms

From karaoke and Ribs & Chips specials to live music and beer on tap, Colony Arms has it all to turn your frown upside down. Especially when you have the weekday blues. Why not make your visit even better by inviting a few of your colleagues or friends along for a fun evening out? Need a place to chill after a hectic work day? Colony Arms is all about having a good time surrounded by awesome company.

Looking for more watering holes? Then be sure to head to Pretoria and find the best 5 Sizzling Gin Hotspots for a Gintastic Time on the other side of town!

Remember that our “Top Picks” are not paid for and are compiled at the discretion of the journalist. We only write about what we love.