Johannesburg is one of the most intriguing cities on an endlessly fascinating continent. Planning a trip here soon? Check out the boutique hotels and Vrbo vacation rentals for your accommodation needs. Less than a quarter of a century ago, South Africa was still very much in the end years of a political regime that divided citizens by race, and Jo'burg (one of many nicknames for the city) was considered to be as dangerous as a war zone, if not more so.
Today, Jozi (another nickname) is a shining light within the continent of Africa - showing investment, urban renewal and a newly confident populace - which means nightlife. And when you’re talking nightlife in Johannesburg, you are more than anything talking about rooftop bars - they’re springing up all over the city, in different districts and offering various takes on the concept. Here are the top rooftop bars in Johannesburg, South Africa.
1. Copper Bar - Bryanston: Breathtaking views in a simple setup
Bar owners the world over are prone to give their bars esoteric, undefinable names - dare say, there’ll be a few in this list. Copper Bar is so called because it has a copper bar, which is reassuringly straightforward. That’s not all it has, however: it’s got stunning views over Johannesburg and great food and drink. Two people visiting can expect to spend roughly 200 ZAR in a night or about 14 USD.
Copper Bar
Address: Corner Main Office Park, 2 Payne Road, Bryanston, Sandton, 2191
Website: Copper Bar
2. Levelthree Premium Venue - Kramerville: Popular bar in the design district
Levelthree Premium Venue is a popular hangout in the chic Kramerville design district of the city. It plays host to trendy pop-up nights, such as Gin Fusion: a cool place to visit and sip the finest drinks while enjoying high-quality food at decent prices. It’s 100 ZAR (7 USD) to get in, and drinks are highly affordable, thereafter. One of the great things to do alone is hang out in this one of the best bars in Johannesburg.
Levelthree Premium Venue
Address: 14A Kramer Rd, Kramerville, Johannesburg, 2190
Website: Levelthree Premium Venue
3. Katy's Palace - Sandton: Opulent style and nights to remember
Fast becoming a Johannesburg institution, Katy’s Palace is one of the most stunning venues in the entire city. It’s a huge open plan warehouse with a minimalist glass-and-metal design. Food comes in the form of a buffet, from which you select what you want to eat, the staff weigh it and then you pay and eat it.
Drinks? That’s up to you - the cocktails are popular, but you’re in South Africa, so why not try one of the many excellent local wines?
Katy's Palace
Address: Top Floor, 6 Desmond St, Kramerville, Sandton, 2090
Website: Katy’s Palace
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4. Skyline Gardens - Braamfontein: Tapas and more in a chic setting
It’s hard to say what’s the greatest attraction of Skyline Gardens. The food? Tapas can be pretty hard to beat, admittedly. The drinks? Again, they’re excellent, as is the stylish interior. However, for many people, the view of Jo'burg’s legendary landmark, the Nelson Mandela Bridge, really makes this a place to see and be seen. A recent addition to the city’s roll of honour, this is a place well worth visiting.
Skyline Gardens
Address: 1 Biccard Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Website: Skyline Gardens
5. The Living Room - Maboneng: Where better to relax?
The Living Room is a rooftop bar, but more in the cafe-bar sense than the classic nightlife one, which is one of the bests Sunday chill spots in Johannesburg. That’s not a criticism: it’s an excellent cafe-bar, and it really comes into its own on Sunday afternoons, as they turn into evenings. It’s 80 ZAR to get in and 120 to book a table (6/9 USD), and the food is healthy meze-style - tasty and filling and excellent with a drink!
The Living Room
Address: Main Change Building, 20 Kruger St, City and Suburban, Johannesburg, 2094
Website: The Living Room
6. Marble - Rosebank: A sit-down eatery with a stunning interior
Mark another one down for straightforward naming - the interior here is, as you might have guessed, picked out tastefully in marble. Like the popular food markets of Johannesburg, this bar also offers a wide range of food. The restaurant owners, however, particularly pride themselves on their flame-grilled dishes. Of particular interest for carnivores is the fillet steak, while the grilled cauliflower is widely recommended for vegetarians.
Marble
Address: 19 Keyes avenue, 3rd floor Trumpet Building, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196
Website: Marble
7. Randlords - Braamfontein: A truly exclusive venue, but worth the effort
Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed
The bad news first: you can’t just walk up to Randlords and order a drink. It’s an exclusive venue, open by appointment only so, unless you hire it yourself, or are invited, it will remain just a story to you. If you do get in, though, it’s so worth it. On the 22nd floor, it has a truly 360-degree view of the city and you’ll be served designer cocktails, as well as hand-crafted tapas dishes that have to be tasted to be believed. Best start hoping you can get an invite, really.
Randlords
Address: South Point Towers, 41 De Korte St, Johannesburg, 2001
Website: Randlords
8. Elevate - Marshalltown: The venue is high, the prices are not
If you want a bird’s eye view of Jozi and can’t get an invite for Randlords, then Elevate is a more than worthy alternative. It’s on the 16th floor, overlooking the central business district, and a typical main course is 80 ZAR (around 6 USD). The food is excellent, ranging from innovative canapes and tapas to larger, plated meals, including paella, tapas and much more. It is one of the best hangout spots in Johannesburg, which is a great place to enjoy an evening out in style.
Elevate
Address: 58 Anderson St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2001
Website: Elevate
9. The San Deck - Sandton: Fine food and drinks at sky level
If you’ll excuse the pun in the name - it’s a sun deck, it’s in Sandton - then you’ll find the San Deck a fabulous place to spend an evening. It’s located in the Tsogo Sun Hotel and is open from early in the morning for breakfasts, until late for meals and drinks. This property in Johannesburg has a rooftop venue that plays home to three fire pits and regular live music.
If you want to eat well, then try one of their gourmet Bunny Chows - a South African speciality, which features a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with a tasty curry.
San Deck
Address: Sandton Sun Hotel, 5th St, Sandton, 2196
Website: San Deck
10. Four Seasons Westcliff - Johannesburg: Refined style with a panoramic view (from USD 453)
Tours are not the only way to experience the best views of the city. One of Johannesburg’s finer hotels, the Four Seasons Westcliff is located on a hillside, which makes the views from its rooftop bar an absolute joy to behold. There are several dining options indoors, but with such a splendid view, why not take some light bites and a cocktail or two and take in the sights of Johannesburg from the perfect angle?
Four Seasons Westcliff
Address: 67 Jan Smuts Ave, Westcliff, Johannesburg, 2132
Website: Four Seasons Westcliff
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff
Address: 67 Jan Smuts Avenue
Accommodates: 6
Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Sauna
Joy in Jozi: Pick your perfect venue and enjoy your night
When you have so many excellent views in a city, it makes a lot of sense to have as many rooftop bars as Johannesburg does. In a city which has seen some sorrow over the years, it’s nice to see so much joy and as Jozi continues to develop, there will be all the more exciting venues for tourists and residents alike. Just be sure to check out the best hotels in the city if you’re still not sure where to stay.