Melville is best known for its vibrant entertainment, nightlife and parties. As you can expect, the streets are full of trendy bars, restaurants and nightclubs. If more outdoorsy entertainment is what you're after, try a stroll through the rolling hills of the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve, or enjoy the weekend markets.
What Are You Looking For?
Nightlife
The Anti Social Social Club
The Anti-Social Social Club is a modern, Asian-style bar and restaurant in Melville. If your idea of a night of entertainment means good food, company and delicious drinks, this is the place for you. The menu at the Anti Social Social Club is light and pairs perfectly with their equally-delicious cocktail menu.
Visit The Anti Social Social Club.
Jo'Anna Melt Bar
Located on always-trendy 7th Street, Jo'Anna Melt Bar is an ultra-stylish and sophisticated bar located in Melville. You'd be forgiven for asking what a melt bar is - it's a new idea, after all! Simply put, everything coming out of the kitchen has cheese on it. To complement these delicious cheesy dishes, patrons can enjoy a range of craft beers. Jo'Anna Melt Bar is essentially a place for sophisticated guests to hang out, relax and enjoy delicious food and great company.
Ratz Bar + Diner
A real Melville institution, Ratz Bar + Diner has been entertaining Melville residents for 24 years! Ratz is Melville’s premier LGBTQI+ friendly restaurant and cocktail bar. Ratz has a reputation for delicious food, tasty cocktails, and hits from the 70s til the present day to dance the night away to. If you’re in the mood for a night of music, drinks, and dancing, Ratz Bar + Diner is definitely the place for you!
Smoking Kills Bar
Smoking Kills is an unusually old-fashioned place. It rejects the label of restaurant, pub or nightclub. What is it then, do I hear you ask? They describe themselves as nothing more or less than a bar, an "unapologetic watering hole". If you love rum, Smoking Kills Bar is the place to be. Though they aren't a restaurant, you can enjoy a light bite to eat with your drink, but nothing fancy. If a fun night out on the town with friends is what you're after, Smoking Kills is where you'll want to start.
Hell's Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen is an American-style, rock-themed bar and restaurant in Melville. Known for its iconic “Be Naked When I Get Home” neon sign, 1920s New York speakeasy glamour, and secret poker room hidden away behind the bookcase, Hell’s Kitchen is an iconic and fun place to go for a night out. Enjoy live entertainment, delicious bar food, and good company while savouring some Jameson’s whiskey. Bliss!
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Outdoor
27 Boxes Night Market
If barhopping isn't quite your thing, the 27 Boxes Night Market could provide the night-time entertainment you've been searching for. Located at 27 Boxes, Melville, the Night Market takes place on Wednesday evenings from 17:00 to 21:00. The event is pet-friendly, and features a variety of local vendors, arts and crafts, live music and more!
The Green Market Melville
For all enthusiasts of the “organic cannabis lifestyle”, The Green Market Melville is essentially paradise. You can find The Green Market on the rooftop of 27 Boxes on Saturdays, and from there, the choices are endless. Cannabis-themed food, therapeutic products, oils, ointments and even dog treats can be purchased here. Enjoy live music and drinks at the bars nearby, it's an experience not to be missed.
Visit The Green Market Melville.
Melville Koppies Nature Reserve
The Melville Koppies Nature Reserve is a nature reserve and Johannesburg Heritage Site located in Melville. The Koppies are a perfect spot for a day trip if you're even slightly interested in the history and geography of Johannesburg prior to the discovery of gold in 1886. Its geology dates back 3 billion years, and there is evidence of both Stone Age and Iron Age man. The ridges themselves are also remarkable, as their vegetation is entirely indigenous - a rare thing so close to the City of Johannesburg.
Visit The Melville Koppies Nature Reserve.
Melville Food and Farmers Market
Do you love organic fruit and veggies, fresh milk and bread, baked goods and more? If so, a trip to the farmer's market is in order! The Melville Food and Farmers Market has been supplying the Melville and local community with fresh produce for a long time, and has appeared in various iterations throughout the years. Support your local farmers and have a great time in the fresh air!
Visit The Melville Food and Farmers Market.
Image Source: Unsplash
Klipsrivierberg Nature Reserve
Johannesburg's Jewel of the South is a 700 hectare nature reserve in the southern suburbs of Johannesburg. This park has an array of wild life and flora, which are available to view on any one of the 10 trails. Trails include the Bloubos, Dassie, Beacon, Sunbird, Ruins, Kiepersol, Legae, Bakwena, Gifbol and Wildebeest. The reserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset and the entry is free.
Contact details: 011 9433578 / 4 4th St, Johannesburg South / [email protected] / klipriviersberg.org.za
Rietfontein Nature Reserve
Located in Sandton, this 24 hectare rocky ridge reserve offers short and easy hiking trails. This is perfect for kids and families, as well as those wanting a quick hike but who are short on time. The hike trails over ridges, where there are spectacular views of Sandton and surrounds. The reserve is open daily from 06:00 - 18:00 and the entrance is free.
Contact details: 011 943 3578 / 138 Holkam Street, Rietfontein Ridge, Paulshof / [email protected] / www.friendsofrietfontein.org
Melville Koppies Nature Reserve
This nature reserve and heritage site is tucked away in Randburg. It holds the last conserved remains of the Johannesburg Ridges, the remaining kraal wall from the Iron Age and indigenous highveld grasses, flowers and trees. The reserve is divided into three sections: East, West and Central. Melville Koppies East and West are open daily for hikes and walks but they advise going on scheduled walks in the West section.
Contact details: 011 482 4797 / 4 Judith Rd, Emmarentia, Randburg / [email protected] / www.mk.org.za
Kloofendal Municipal Nature Reserve
Once a gold mine, this 128 hectarre nature reserve now offers concerts, organised walks and hikes. This is a great place to go experience nature as it is a transition zone of Bankenveld, Drakensberg and Savana ecosystems. Spend the day exploring one of the many hiking trails and maybe catch a glimpse of a jackal, duiker, reedbuck, dassie, mongoose or gerbil.
Contact details: 011 760 9143 / Veronica St, Roodepoort / www.jhbcityparks.com
Golden Harvest
Although not a hiking trail or nature reserve, this 55 hectare park is still big enough for a quick hike in the city. The indigenous bushveld and pristine dam make for lovely hiking scenery. The park features a foot path to the dam, as well as a koppie with ancient smelting remains. This is a great spot for hiking with the family and dogs. And afterwards, have a delicious picnic while the kids run around and play.
Contact details: 011 712 6600 / 1st Rd, Northgate, Randburg / www.jhbcityparks.com
Sugarbush Day Trail
Located in Krugersdorp, this 8km hiking trail covers rocky paths, wooded grasslands and old mine shafts. The starting point is a stone's throw from the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens and covers land protected by the Cradle of Human Kind World Heritage Site. And the hike ends with picturesque views of Magaliesberg. The draw to this trail is the abundant sugarbush shrubs, which flower pink-red blossoms throughout summer.
Contact details: 071 951-3667 / Robert Broom Drive, Krugersdorp
Modderfontein Reserve
This reserve is the second largest privately owned reserve in Gauteng. The aim of the reserve is to preserve the local plant and wildlife of the area. Animals here include buck, jackals and eagles. The grassland and hills surrounding various dams, including the Modderfontein Spruit, make this the perfect place for leisurely strolls and picnics. But if you prefer ready-made food, they have a café on site. The reserve also offers functions, cycling, Parkruns and guided walks. Access to the reserve is R30 per adult and R15 per child.
Contact details: 079 519 1589 / Modderfontein Reserve, Arden Road (off Ardeer Road), Modderfontein / [email protected] / https://www.modderfonteinreserve.co.za
Klipsrivierberg Nature Reserve
This reserve is also known as Johannesburg's Jewel Of The South and is the largest nature reserve in Johannesburg. They have a large variety of game including zebra, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, dassie, hare, gennet, fox, civet, otter and various buck. They also boast about 230 species of birds including heron, barbet, eagle and even owl. This is a great spot for nature lovers and hikers. The reserve is open daily, sunrise to sunset and entrance is free.
Contact details: 011 943 3578 / 4 4th St, Johannesburg South / [email protected] / http://klipriviersberg.org.za
Melville Koppies Nature Reserve
This reserve and heritage site is the last remaining site of the Johannesburg ridges from before gold was discovered. The reserve is made up of highveld grasses, trees and flowers, which include gladiolus, orchid and proteas. Animals here include gennet, civet, mongoose, hedgehog, rat, shrew, hare, rabbit, mouse and many bird species. The reserve is divided into Central, East and West. Access to Central is limited to organised tours and hikes, East is open daily for walks and West is open daily for scheduled walks. Strictly no braais, camping, picnicking, radios, mountain bikes or vehicles.
Contact details: 011 482 4797 / 4 Judith Rd, Emmarentia, Randburg / [email protected] / http://www.mk.org.za
Rietfontein Nature Reserve
Based in Paulshof, this nature reserve is a 24-hectare bushveld and rocky ridge reserve. The reserve is open from 6am - 6pm. It offers walking trails, picnics and day outs. The reserve mainly features flora and bird life, but a lucky few may be privileged enough to spot some buck. This is a perfect spot for those who want to spend a relaxed day surrounded by nature, without travelling too far.
Contact details: 011 943 3578 / 138 Holkam Road, Paulshof / http://www.friendsofrietfontein.org
Norscot Koppies and Kingfisher Nature Reserve
This 16-hectare reserve is tucked away in Douglasdale. They are home to a multitude of flora species and a few fauna like blesbok and duiker. This reserve is only open twice a month, usually in the beginning and again towards the end of the month. Norscot Koppies has a clearly marked self-guided walking trail, where you can learn all about the vegetation of this park.
Contact details: 011 704 5428 / 15 Alexander Ave, Douglasdale, Randburg / https://www.norscotkoppies.co.za/
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
This 4000-hectare reserve came to be in effort to increase the drinking water supply to Pretoria. Entrance to the reserve costs R59 per adult, R32 per pensioner and R11 - R32 for children. The reserve is open at 05:30 - 17:00, September to March and 06:00 - 18:00, May to August. They offer environmental education, tours, guided hikes, night drives, horse trails and camp tours.
Contact details: 012 358 1811 / Rietvlei Nature Reserve, 14 Game Reserve Avenue, Irene / [email protected] / http://www.tshwane.gov.za
Groenkloof Nature Reserve
This reserve holds the title of oldest nature reserve in Africa. If that isn't reason enough to visit, they also offer hiking, mountain biking, game drives, horse riding and 4 x 4 routes, as well as game and bird viewing. Entrance to the reserve is R43 per adult, R27 per pensioner, R13 - R27 per child and R120 per vehicle. The reserve is open from 06:00 - 19:00 in summer (September to April) and 06:00 - 18:00 in winter (May to August).
Contact details: 012 358 1757 / Christina De Wit Ave, Road, Pretoria / [email protected] / http://www.tshwane.gov.za
Faerie Glen Nature Reserve
Faerie Glen Nature Reserve, which used to be a part of Farm Hartbeespoort, protects the critically endangered Bronberg ecosystem. The reserve consists of Gold Reef Mountain Bushveld and Marikana Thornveld and has various species of bird, impala, red hartebeest and zebra. They have an easy (2.3 km), medium (3.2 km) and hard (4.2 km) hiking trail and two lookout points. They offer guided hikes and allow picnicking (no braaing permitted). Entrance is R12 per adult and R6 per pensioner or child.
Contact details: 012 358 1510 / January Masilela Dr, Faerie Glen, Pretoria / [email protected] / http://www.tshwane.gov.za
