Presley's
Presley's is a nightclub and bar in Boksburg, offering the best in local and Afrikaans music. They often have shows with the likes of Fokof Polisiekar, Jack Parrow, Locnville, Spoegwolf, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Theuns Jordaan, Francois Van Coke and Dirk Van Der Westhuizen, among others. The venue features bars, a DJ lab, dance floor, stage, VIP lounge and restaurant.
Contact details: 011 826 1989 | Cnr Gibb Rd & North Rand Rd, Boksburg | [email protected] | https://www.presleys.co.za
Hi-Flyerz
This aviation museum bar in Barlett features aviation memorabilia, beverages, craft beer and dining. They host a live band every Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and have top performances by DJs from 22:00. Central to the venue is an original Boeing 747 “classic” ZS-SAL flight deck with real air traffic control transmissions being played in the background.
Contact details: 011 897 0106 | Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre
Viewpoint road, Bartlett, Boksburg | [email protected] | http://www.hiflyerz.com/
Coolz
Not to be confused with Cool Runnings, Coolz is technically in Benoni. But it's less than a kilometre out of Boksburg. This Jamaican inspired bar, restaurant and day time cafe offers over 100 beers, delicious cocktails and tantalising pizzas. They host regular quiz and karaoke nights and often have great drinks and food specials.
Contact details: 081 379 7905 | Lakedene Shopping Centre, Lakefield, Benoni | [email protected] | http://www.coolzcraftycorner.co.za
Top Shots
This bar refer to themselves as the "best western saloon in the east". That pretty much tells you everything you need to know. The saloon has DJs on Wednesday nights, karaoke on Thursday nights and live music and dancing on Fridays and Saturdays. The venue has a bar area, pool tables, a jukebok, a dance floor and outside seating away from the noise. The outside area also has a kids play area to keep the kids busy.
Contact details: 083 324 5432 | 686, Flamingo Centre, Trichardts Rd, Boksburg | https://www.facebook.com/topshotssaloon
Trotters
Established in 2000, Trotters Pub and Grill offers the best in night life with live bands, DJs, quiz nights, events and karaoke. This pub has a bar, inside seating, stage, outdoor seating and kids play area. They have competitive prices, good food, great service and fresh draught.
Contact details: 011 918 1409 | 22 Dakota Rd, Impala Park, Boksburg | [email protected] | https://www.trottersboksburg.co.za/index.html
The Brazen Head
In the spirit of an authentic Irish pub, The Brazen Head offers a fantastic wine list, yummy pub grub and ice cold suds. The menu features an array of starters, burgers, seafood, casseroles, pies, grills, snack platters and traditional Irish Boxty. They also have a large beer menu with many local and international beer, as well as flavoured and non-alcoholic beers.
Contact details: 010 010 0743 | Parkrand Piazza Shopping Center, 44 Van Wyk Louw Drive, Parkrand, Boksburg | [email protected] | http://brazenhead.co.za/the-brazen-head-boksburg/
The Irish Club, Linden
Since its opening in 2002 by the Irish Ambassador to South Africa, The Irish (as it's known to the locals) has been the go-to spot for cheap beer, cheaper whiskey and even cheaper comfort. The bar is stocked and a big screen TV is fitted right above it, showcasing major rugby, football and F1 events. The only problem you'll encounter is visiting the Irish Club when South Africa plays Ireland, and the tension so thick, you could cut it with a knife!
Gilroy's Brewery
Steve Gilroy's beer is so famous that it somehow made its way into the James Bond novel, Carte Blanche, as Bond's drink of choice while staying at a hotel in Cape Town. Even better, Gilroy's Brewery is set right on our doorstep here in Johannesburg. Good news for sports fans - the bar counter is right opposite the big-screen TVs. The beer and food are good, and the vibe is something special, especially when master brewer, Steve Gilroy, addresses the crowd in the special way only Steve can.
Hooters
If you're looking for a bar with a massive selection of big-screen TVs showing a whole lot of different sports all at the same time, head to Hooters in Ruimsig. The place gets pretty packed but at least the beer's always cold, and the curly fries with jalapeno cheese sauce are enough to make you return the next time a big match is being aired. The boneless chicken wings are a winner too.
Green and Gold
If there's a place that can boast real pub food served in a gourmet style and enough TVs to make an appliance store jealous, it's Green and Gold. Inspired by our men and women in green and gold, it's often the number-one spot to be whenever our team takes to the field, track, pool or pitch.
Paddy's
Whether you're looking to play a few rounds of pool, hang out with your mates, grab an ice-cold beer or catch some sporting action on their screens, Paddy's in Randburg is just the place to be. It's rather chilled by day, but as soon as the sun sets this spot becomes rather rowdy, especially over the weekend and during sport seasons like the FIFA World Cup.
The Weekend Market
For a spot that's more family and less bar, the Weekend Market offers live sport screenings, entertainment for the kids, a market to stroll through if you're looking to stretch your legs in between games, as well as good food and drinks. Click here to find out which games they'll be screening over the next few weekends.
The Brazen Head Sandton
The Brazen Head Sandton is always a good option. It's a restaurant that boasts a semi-private library and a separate bar that opens up onto the veranda, which has both smoking and non-smoking areas. The bar area and veranda is equipped with TVs for those sport enthusiasts and, last but certainly not least, guests are offered a choice of seven different beers on tap, as well as a wide variety of bottled beers from both local and imported sources. What more do you need?
Know other pubs, bars or spots that are suited to watching sport? Let us know below!
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.