Top 15 Bars & Pubs in Johannesburg

South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg is among the top 100 largest urban areas worldwide and has the most glorious nightlife for all seasons. From live music to the cocktail lounge and fancy pubs, the city has everything for each one of you. There is DJ, comedy shows, happy hours, and an innumerable list of exquisite drinks in the bars of Johannesburg.

Here are the top 15 bars in Johannesburg for the best nightlife experience:

1. The Living Room

The living room bar is the Urban Oasis for all nature lovers tucked between Johannesburg's scenic beauty. This rooftop cafe bar profiles a 360-degree breathtaking view of the city skyline and has greenery all around. A wide range of exotic beers from the black label, castle light, and flying fish, to devils peak lager, along with a collection of classics like margarita, mojito, living room sunset, whisky sours, and sours. To a company, the drinks there is a wide range of snacks like homemade falafel balls, stir-fried veggies, burgers, and ice creams. Sunday nights in the living room are even better with the DJ and the crowd.

Location - 20 Kruger Street 5th Floor, Main Change Building, Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
Timings - Sunday - 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday to Wednesday - 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Thursday to Saturday 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Approx price for each - ZAR 150 

2. Kitchener's Carvery Bar

Visit the 100-year-old classic bar at 71 Juda Street of Johannesburg, the Kitchener's Carvery Bar. This old quint bar has all the original fittings and takes pride in its exceptional music policy and hosting the best DJs in the city. You can enjoy memorable live gigs on Thursday and Saturday nights. Enjoy the famous Lourensford Merlot at ZAR 300 or the Robertson Chapel White at  ZAR 99. If you are a champagne lover, try the Graham Back Brut NV at just R 350. Entry charges are only applicable from Wednesday to Saturday from 7:00 PM onwards.

Location - 71 Juta St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
Timings - 12:00 PM to 4:00 AM
Approx price for each - ZAR 500

3. Six Cocktail Bar

Located in Melbourne, the Six Cocktail Bar is an all-time favourite and is fully decorated with contemporary art. From teenagers to older adults, this bar consists of all kinds of trouts and is best known for its diverse type of drinks and old-school hip-hop and RnB music. The best seller is the Excitabull infused with vodka berries Red Bull, the hint of Stroh, and the classic Six in the City signature drink.  Enjoy the bar's laid-back vibe with a free entry Monday night comedy show, Wednesday night jazz with famous artists from all over the neighbourhood, or a Saturday night happy hour. Other must-have drinks options include Legendary Long Island, Palindrome, or the classic margarita accompanied with mystic pizzas and pasta.

Location - 7th Street, Melville at 3rd Avenue 2092 Johannesburg
Timings - 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Approx price for each - ZAR 150-200

4. Shakers Cocktail Bar

Located in Maboneng Precinct of Johannesburg, Shakers cocktail bar is the perfect place to enjoy your drink with your friend and understand the local ambience of Johannesburg. There is the classic cocktail special Tequila Gold and Silver, ice cold beer, and unlimited entertainment. You can find many local people in this dimly lighted, old, quaint cocktail bar. Enjoy live  Friday night music, a quality DJ, and a perfect combination of cocktails.

Location - 300 Commissioner Street Maboneng 2094 Johannesburg, South Africa
Timings - 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM late, Monday closed
Approx price for each - Entry fee depends on events, ZAR 50 

5. Great Dane

Located in Braamfontein, the Great Dane pub earns special mention because of its beautifully designed copper-coloured 5-cents floor. You can notice the entire flooring is made up of five cents, having an opposite courtyard and a happening bar. The overwhelming list of drinks includes Fruity Fix with Vodka, Long Island Ice Tea, Moscow Mule, Frozen Margarita, and many more. The speciality is the bloody Mary and the Cuba Libra with dark rum, cola and lots of lemons. Live DJ and 1980 power ballad are in the background to keep your entertainment throughout.

Location - 5 De Beer St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
Timings - Wednesday - 7:00 PM to 4:00 AM,Thursday to Saturday - 12:00 PM to 4:00 AM
Approx price for each - ZAR 100

6. Alto234

The grand view of the rooftop bar Alto234 from its 57th floor is out of the world. This upscale bar in Johannesburg is located in the Leonardo in Sandton, providing the best bird's eye view of the city. Enjoy the luxurious Tapas menu and range of signature drinks from cocktails, gin, whiskey, champagne, and red wine to rum, rose wine, white wine, and many more at Alto234. The bar is split into seven areas, including the extended lounge suite and dining spaces. It has an exquisite experience section offering the Afternoon Experience from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, Sunset Experience from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM, and the Night Light Experience from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The dress code is smart casual.

Location - 75 Maude St, Sandown, Sandton, 2031, South Africa
Timings - 12:30 PM to 11:00 PM
 Entry Fee - ZAR 300 each

7. Sir James van der Merwe

Sir James van der Merwe is located in Kramerville and part of Katy's Palace Bar. This venue was invented in Johannesburg with the sole quest to find a perfect place to enjoy drinks. This converted warehouse space is decorated in a retro theme. Enjoy the buffet-style snack boards, the billiard table, and some local twists on the list of cocktails. One of the most looked after events spaces in sandstone, a Wednesday night from 4 PM onwards at sir James with the breathtaking view of The sandstone Skyline is a must experience.

Location - 6 Desmond Street, Johannesburg 2090, South Africa
Timings - Only on Wednesday 4:00 PM onwards
Approx price for each - ZAR 200

8. The Radium Beerhall

The Radium Beerhall is situated in the orange group and is now owned by Manny Cabeleira. Initially, it was started as The Radium Tearoom by the Khalil family from Lebanon. Late In 1942, it became the Radium Beer Hall, a man-only bar. Serving for over 20 years now, this is the local favourite of Johannesburg and serves some of the classic menus in the city. For starters, you can try the potato focaccia or oysters and dive into the famous musos pizza. Enjoy your drinks with live jazz in this oldest surviving bar and grill in Johannesburg.

Location - 282 Louis Botha Ave, Orange Grove, Johannesburg, 2192, South Africa
Timings - 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Approx price for each - ZAR 100 

9. Die Kneipe German Pub

Die Kneipe German Pub, also known as the Local Pub, was founded in 2000 by Urs and Inge. This bar was opened with the sole aim of opening a pub where people can enjoy the local ambience and have tasty traditional German food. You can enjoy the Greek salad, authentic German sausage platter, and Goulash in the main course. Do not forget to enjoy a glass of iced beer along with this.

Location - 139 Queen Street Queen Place, Kensington, Johannesburg 2094 South Africa
Timings - Tuesday to Saturday - 12:00 to 11:00 PM, Sunday - 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Monday - 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Approx price for each – ZAR 80 - 100

10. A Streetbar Named Desire

Apart from the attractive name, A Streetbar Named Desire bar is one of its kind and has Turkish Israeli and Lebanese cuisine like no other in Johannesburg. The emerald green interiors, marble-topped bar, and the luxury theme maintain inside are straight out of a movie scene. There is also an open terrace to enjoy the outside view. For cocktails, the option is endless, ranging from Beautiful Blanche at ZAR 90 to Them Apples at ZAR 75. You can find exquisite Bombay Sapphire gin, Appleton Estate signature blend rum, Dusse cognac, and Ballentine's most fine whiskey. For food, you can try the smoked baba ganoush, hummus with a veg patch, Iraqi spice chicken breasts, lamb kofta kebabs, and much more.

Location -  144 Jan Smuts Avenue, Unit 2 Parkwood Mansions, Parkwood, Johannesburg, 2193
Timings -Monday to Thursday - 4:00 PM till late, Friday and Saturday - 12:00 PM till late, Sunday - 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Approx price for each - ZAR 150 

11. C4 Grill Lounge

Located in the south of Johannesburg, C4 Grill Lounge presents to you a supreme experience with unnumbered options of drinks in the heart of the city. The crazy and charismatic ambience of the lounge bar is perfect for chilling and enjoying the special DJ nights with drinks. There is the famous Graham Beck Bliss Demi Sec NV and Krone Night Nectar at ZAR 300, Sunkissed Natural Sweet White wine at ZAR 120, and lots of father options in gin, vodka, brandy, and whisky. Together with some drinks, you can also enjoy some meat platters or a Mogodu Monday at just ZAR 60.

Location - 18 Crownwood St, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, 2091
Timings - 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Approx price for each - ZAR 150

12. Jo'Anna Melt Bar

Located in the neighbourhood of Melville, Jo'Anna Melt Bar is the perfect amalgamation of entertainment with excellent flavours in a single place. This urban Jozi bar is crowded with artists, musicians, locals, and tourists on all days, especially on Thursday Karaoke nights, Tequila Tuesdays, and Open Mic every Sunday from 2:00 PM onwards. The most exciting thing about this bar is that it is a melted bar, meaning everything served has melted cheese. Enjoy your white range of craft beer, classic cocktails, a Cosmopolitan, Pina Colada, Martini, or a vodka-infused Black Russian on your visit to Jo'Anna Melt Bar.

Location - 7 7th St, Melville, Johannesburg, 2109, South Africa
Timings - 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Approx price for each - ZAR 90

13. Crafter's Rooftop Bar

Enjoy the panoramic view of the city from Crafter's Rooftop Bar located in Norwood of Johannesburg. Established in 2016, this bar has become famous for locals and tourists, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. This enclosed rooftop bar is open to host parties and host amazing life bands and karaokes. From tasting healthy salads to tasty chicken mini wraps, everything is available at Crafter's. The crafted beer and varied cocktail list make this bar apart from others.

Location - 72 Grant Ave, Norwood, Johannesburg, 2117, South Africa
Timings - 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM
Approx price for each - ZAR 150-200

14. Sin+Tax

Located in the Rosebank neighbourhood, Sin+Tax Bar is your ultimate choice to experience world-class cocktails in Johannesburg. With its good collection of drinks, this bar also made its mark in the world's 50 best top bars 100 in 2019. The speciality is the bottled cocktails made with the finest botanicals and local spirits like the Afrogroni, Leaf Litter, and Dry Martini, all at just ZAR 349. Sin+Tax only serves drinks, and do not miss the classic negroni for a scintillating memory of Johannesburg for a lifetime. This place has its cocktail yard and is managed by Julian Short, the legendary mixologist. 

Location - Corner of Bolton & Jan Smuts Roads, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Timings - Wednesday to Friday - 5:00 PM until late, Saturday and Sunday - 1:00 PM until late
Approx price for each - ZAR 150

15. The Majestic Bar

To enjoy the local ambience of Johannesburg, visit the Majestic bar. From serving local drinks to organizing live music, this bar is one of the most affordable bars here. The old, tainted appearance of the bar can help you guess the age of iChoose from a white range of beer, wine, and vodka to enjoy the night. You can also order a bowl of fish chips or burgers for a change, too.

Location - 2, HIS Majesty, Joubert St, Johannesburg CBD, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
Timings - 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Approx price for each – ZAR 70 

Bars in Johannesburg offer a diverse range of drinks and entertainment. Some bars require an entry fee, also. Dress up in your casual best and enjoy the vibes of Johannesburg.