Johannesburg In Your Pocket City Guide

Johannesburg In Your Pocket City Guide An independent, well-researched and up-to-date essential visitors guide to Johannesburg. In Your Pocket publishes city guides in more than 100 cities.

Johannesburg is the first city outside of Europe to be granted rights to publish an In Your Pocket guide (since 2014). In addition to our comprehensive online website guide and our app (available on Android and iOS) we also publish a weekly newsletter guide to what's new in the city every Thursday morning. Sign up to our newsletter here at bit.ly/InYourPocketNewsletter

You can also find our guid

es online at johannesburg.inyourpocket.com and follow us on twitter at twitter.com/JohannesburgIYP

Please contact us for advertising rates or to enquire about distribution opportunities at [email protected]

Joburg’s Chinese heritage traces back to the 1890s gold rush starting in Ferreirasdorp’s First Chinatown. Over time, the...
27/01/2025

Joburg’s Chinese heritage traces back to the 1890s gold rush starting in Ferreirasdorp’s First Chinatown. Over time, the community has flourished in Cyrildene’s New Chinatown and at sprawling China malls like Dragon City and Oriental City. There’s so much to discover in Joburg if you want an experience with the culture. Craving some authentic dim sum, on the hunt for unique ingredients, or looking for a spot to celebrate Chinese New Year from Wed, Jan 29?

Our guide to has you covered: https://bit.ly/ChineseJoburg

Joburg in one word? In 2024, we quizzed 40 fascinating personalities for our series, from artists and entrepreneurs to...
26/01/2025

Joburg in one word? In 2024, we quizzed 40 fascinating personalities for our series, from artists and entrepreneurs to thinkers, couchsurfers, craftivists, and placemakers. When asked to describe the city, their answers were as diverse as you’d expect. But there was one word that came out tops: dynamic. Join us as we revisit some of the quotes that made us laugh, cry, and fall in love with this frenetic, electric, exasperating, and unapologetic city all over again: https://bit.ly/MyJoburgBestInterviews2024

What's the word that epitomises Joburg, for you? Let us know in the comments.

Cover photo: Alastair Mclachlan ().

January isn’t just about beating the back-to-work blues – it’s also about making your rands stretch after those holiday ...
25/01/2025

January isn’t just about beating the back-to-work blues – it’s also about making your rands stretch after those holiday splurges. Even in the City of Gold, having fun needn’t be costly. Explore public parks, find great restaurant deals, or take an art tour. There’s plenty to enjoy on the cheap.

See our guide to Joburg on a budget: https://bit.ly/BudgetJoburg

What’s happening in Joburg’s culinary scene? A sandwich chain with a cult following gets ready for Rosebank, while many ...
24/01/2025

What’s happening in Joburg’s culinary scene? A sandwich chain with a cult following gets ready for Rosebank, while many of the city’s favourite restaurants are on the move. Chef Candice Philip brings graceful plates to The Houghton Hotel with fine dining spot Cyra Restaurant, and a brand-new kid on the culinary block comes to Craighall Park, all aflame.

A high tea in high demand is now a permanent fixture at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg. Plus, Norwood welcomes friendly Ethiopian fare, and say hello to a cute coffee shop called Kohi (from the man who made vintage denim a Johannesburg staple) that’ll keep you coming back to 44 Stanley Avenue. Illovo’s got fresh bars to light up the night, and the Joburg institution that is Kitchener’s is here to stay – with a cheesy twist.

Get the full scoop: https://bit.ly/FreshlyPlatedJan2025

Corporate advertising covered an iconic Dbongz_one mural of Esther Mahlangu in Maboneng. Damaged, but uncovered, we are ...
24/01/2025

Corporate advertising covered an iconic Dbongz_one mural of Esther Mahlangu in Maboneng. Damaged, but uncovered, we are left to wonder… who owns the city?

In an Instagram post on Wed, Jan 15, lamented, “My heart is sore. My favourite piece by my favourite artist is now covered. I’m sure the intentions are good, but there was nothing ugly and needing cover about that work of art.”

The Standard Bank wraps that covered up Dbongz’s artwork declared “We Love These Streets” with a call to action to keep the city clean, sending an ironically mixed message. “Are the streets being cleaned of us?”, was Dbongz’s own question to the bank, and many have expressed their horror at seeing an important contribution to the city so carelessly erased.

To call this situation unfortunate is to sweep the gravity of it under the rug. And yet, we do want to make the case for stopping, listening, and learning, rather than leaping to conclusions and pressing the cancel button. Joburg is a complex patchwork of communities, a place largely without official stewards and no ultimate ownership. The streets and boardrooms don’t meet easily – and that needs to change.

If we are to be here, in this leaky boat together, we need to learn to protect the fragile things that add beauty to what is a broken-down city, and seek direction and work together with those who know these streets. The city needs us all to save it.

Keep reading: https://bit.ly/DBongzStandardBank

Art City is heating up… here are our exhibition picks for the week to come, and some dates to diarise: https://bit.ly/Jo...
24/01/2025

Art City is heating up… here are our exhibition picks for the week to come, and some dates to diarise: https://bit.ly/JoburgWeeklyExhibitions

📌 One week left to catch the group show ‘Summer Muse’ and two excellent solos by Solomon Omogboye and Odette Graskie respectively at Candice Berman Gallery and Berman Contemporary at 223 Jan Smuts Creative Hub. Closing Sun, Feb 2. (Top pic: DuduBloom More)
📌 ‘Migration Through Borderless Light’ is the title of Wayne Barker's solo at Everard Read Gallery Johannesburg, new works "made in his garden at the edge of nowhere". How can we resist? Until Fri, Feb 28.
📌 A William Kentridge solo is not a thing to miss. Expect drawings, works on paper, small sculptures, puppets, and film in ‘To Cross One More Sea’ at Goodman Gallery. Opening Sat, Jan 25.
📌 See the work of early Joburg portrait photographer Sara Buijskes for one day only at Rand Club, with a talk by photo historian Carol Hardijzer. Fri, Jan 24.
📌 Attend the open studio of Rhona Mühlebach and Chloë Reid, artists in residence at Nirox Foundation, as they work towards their installation-based performance ‘ Neither Hideous nor Tedious’. RSVP with [email protected]. Sat, Jan 25 from 10:00.
📌 David Krut Projects' The Blue House gallery kicks off its programme for the year with Bevan de Wet's paper pulp paintings in the solo ‘Surface Tension’. Opening Sat, Feb 1 from 11:00.

Sip, sing, thrift, and laugh your way through the week. ‘My Fair Lady’ brings London charm to Joburg, go green (both in ...
23/01/2025

Sip, sing, thrift, and laugh your way through the week. ‘My Fair Lady’ brings London charm to Joburg, go green (both in style and produce) at markets, and catch fresh comedic talent on stage. Here’s what’s happening in the city:

📌 Timeless melodies, enchanting transformations, and all the Broadway magic await in Pieter Toerien’s ‘My Fair Lady’ at Montecasino. Thu, Jan 23 – Sun, Feb 23. (Top pic: Pieter Torien)
📌 Dress up in green for a day of thrifting and more at Picnic & Thrift’s market at Rivonia Recreation Club. Sat, Jan 25.
📌 Make crochet your cardio with a House of Bo crochet class at Newtown Junction. Sat, Jan 25.
📌 Newbies and pros can hit the pavement with the Burnt Running Club. Sat, Jan 25.
📌 Find fresh produce, baked goods, and handcrafted goods – all at the Melville Market. Sat, Jan 25.
📌 Soulection and Friends makes a stop in Joburg for a party filled with good music and giving back at The Nest. Sun, Jan 26.
📌 Fresh comedians battle it out at The Savanna Newcomer Comedy Showcase hosted by Tumi Morake at The Maslow. Sun, Jan 26.
📌 An eclectic mix of rock and pop at The Troyeville as The Dookies, Euphoria, and Drum J Experience hit the stage. Sun, Jan 26.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/WeeklyEventsJHB

200 black and white prints unearthed by Michael de Nobrega at a Mossel Bay antique shop have brought the work of a pione...
23/01/2025

200 black and white prints unearthed by Michael de Nobrega at a Mossel Bay antique shop have brought the work of a pioneering Joburg portrait photographer Sara Buijskes to the fore. Despite her career that spanned decades in the 1900s, working from a studio at the Barbican building in Rissik Street, she remains relatively unknown in the local canon.

A rare, one-day-only exhibition of her work on Fri, Jan 24, organised by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation seeks to change that.

Buijskes’ images have been described as unique, creative, and outstanding. She made striking use of light and shadow to capture the essence of her subjects – with a particular affinity for extravagantly bearded men. The rediscovery of her work marks a welcome addition to the country’s repository of portrait photography.

Join the JHF for the showcase at Rand Club with a talk by South African photo historian Carol Hardijzer on Fri, Jan 24 from 17:30. Book your tickets here: https://bit.ly/JoburgPhotographerSaraBuijskes

Alastair Findlay’s painting of Winnie Mandela Drive has us reflecting: Where is the city headed, and who is leading the ...
23/01/2025

Alastair Findlay’s painting of Winnie Mandela Drive has us reflecting: Where is the city headed, and who is leading the charge? It’s a big year for Joburg, with preparations afoot for the G20 Summit and hopes for transformation riding high.

Our mission: to be a force for change in a city that has long lost its official caretakers. And we wish for you to join us. Unlike your work commute; on this journey, the more, the merrier.

Read our latest newsletter here: https://bit.ly/TheLatestNewsletter-Jan232025

📌 This week we dive into the saga of a truly iconic Dbongz artwork that got in the way of a corporate project intended to do good.
📌 Celebrate a unique community in Joburg as Chinese New Year rolls around. Read our guide to exploring the riches of this community.
📌 We revisit our interviews with stand-out figures to find the definitive 2024 word used to describe this place. Hint: it rhymes with panic.
📌 Dig a little deeper in Joburg and gold is never far away. After decades of obscurity, a chance find in an antique shop unearths work by little-known 1900s portrait photographer Sara Buijskes.
📌 If your best friend is the couch, make a th*****me with MyFrenchFilmFestival.com.
📌 We made you a list of other ways to stretch those January bucks.
📌 In regular fixtures, our curated guides to events and must-see exhibitions are full of good ideas.
📌 Consider an endorphin rush at The Zone @ Rosebank with its cutting-edge gyms and wellness stops.
📌 Tickle your taste buds with , the most delicious round-up of food news, star chefs, and dining hotspots.

Movie lovers will be pleased to know the annual MyFrenchFilmFestival.com is back and still free to livestream from the c...
22/01/2025

Movie lovers will be pleased to know the annual MyFrenchFilmFestival.com is back and still free to livestream from the comfort of your home! Catch the best in contemporary French-language cinema from Fri, Jan 17 – Mon, Feb 17. It’s a cute date idea, and Janu-worry friendly. From comedies, thrillers, and documentaries to animated films and drama, the selection is a welcome departure from the kinds of flicks that typically break box office records.

This year, My French Film Festival’s 15th edition presents 10 feature films and 10 short films for you to enjoy. Find out what’s on here: https://bit.ly/MyFrenchFilmFestivalJoburg2025 and head to myfrenchfilmfestival.com to sign up.

Rock fans, especially Green Day fans, get ready for a special afternoon at The Troyeville on Sun, Jan 26. Green Day trib...
21/01/2025

Rock fans, especially Green Day fans, get ready for a special afternoon at The Troyeville on Sun, Jan 26. Green Day tribute band The Dookies; Euphoria, whose sound is an eclectic mix of rock, afrobeats, and pop; and Drum J Experience light up the stage at The Hangout, the venue's popular music series.

Doors open at 13:00, with music kicking off at 14:00. Enjoy rooftop views and tasty food and drinks while soaking in the sounds. Grab your tickets now: https://bit.ly/TheDookiesEuphoriaTheTroyeville

With 2025 officially in full swing, it’s time to gear up for an exciting year in Joburg! From delicious food festivals t...
20/01/2025

With 2025 officially in full swing, it’s time to gear up for an exciting year in Joburg! From delicious food festivals to the high-fashion buzz of SA Fashion Week, the city is packed with events. Experience electrifying beats at Ultra South Africa or check out Jazz in the Lights at Joburg Zoo, where The Brother Moves On joins the line-up. Save the date for Joburg’s major art fairs, from the contemporary offerings at FNB Art Joburg to open studios festival Contra.Joburg. Plus, don't miss all that's on at the theatre, and so much more!

Check out our top picks and get to planning your year: https://bit.ly/JoburgEvents2025

Joburg snapshot: we put our feelers out to give you the lowdown on some of the most important news stories of January 20...
19/01/2025

Joburg snapshot: we put our feelers out to give you the lowdown on some of the most important news stories of January 2025. Is there hope for the Johannesburg Art Gallery? Well, it depends who you ask. But this local institution has its champions rallying to get the space host-ready before the G20 Summit hits Joburg, and we’re all for it. It warmed our hearts to see Donald MacKay Park in Berea getting some Jozi My Jozi love, and we’re delighted to announce that Braamfontein’s own secret park is now open to the public — find out how to visit. Plus, the Grand Prix may be zooming to a race track near you, while some cultural landmarks are making a comeback: taking you from prehistoric caves to the furthest reaches of the known universe, with time for a drink at one of the city’s oldest bars. Read all about it: https://bit.ly/JoburgNewsJanuary2025

New year, new you – let’s make those resolutions stick! Whether you’re picking up a new sport, mastering a handcraft, be...
18/01/2025

New year, new you – let’s make those resolutions stick! Whether you’re picking up a new sport, mastering a handcraft, becoming a kitchen whiz, exploring fresh hiking spots, or learning a new language, Joburg offers scores of opportunities to level up. Plus, learning with others makes it even more fun.

Check out our top picks to help you kickstart 2025: https://bit.ly/Learn-a-new-skill-inJoburg

Crossing the sea with William Kentridge, early Joburg portrait photographer Sara Buijskes shines at Rand Club, and be on...
17/01/2025

Crossing the sea with William Kentridge, early Joburg portrait photographer Sara Buijskes shines at Rand Club, and be one of the first to watch a doccie starring Karel Nel. Joburg’s must-see art exhibitions and dates to diarise: https://bit.ly/JoburgWeeklyExhibitions

📌 Encounter Vibha Galhotra’s architectonic sound sculpture, ‘Future Fables’, and attend an artist-led walkabout at NIROX Sculpture Park. RSVP with [email protected]. Sat, Jan 18.
📌 Recognised internationally but relatively unknown in the local canon, the life and work of Sara Buijskes is celebrated by Johannesburg Heritage Foundation in a rare exhibition at Rand Club. Book tickets for a talk by photo historian Carol Hardijzer. Fri, Jan 21.
📌 Save the date for William Kentridge’s solo at Goodman Gallery, ‘To Cross One More Sea’. Expect new drawings, works on paper, small sculptures, puppets, and film from this Joburg-based legend. Opening Sat, Jan 25.
📌 Head to Strauss & Co for the launch of ‘Close and Far’, a publication unpacking Karel Nel’s curious, far-reaching art practice, and be one of the first to watch a documentary starring the artist. RSVP online. Thu, Jan 30.
📌 “You do not know yourself; you know points and some intervals,” writes Mame-Diarra Niang. Her photography solo at Stevenson, ‘Æther’, explores the ever-changing territory of self. Until Sat, Feb 22.

Hey Joburg! Share your Janu-worry tips with us. Best budget-friendly meals, buys, and outings in the city? Our comments ...
16/01/2025

Hey Joburg! Share your Janu-worry tips with us. Best budget-friendly meals, buys, and outings in the city? Our comments are open 📝

Pictured: One of our favourite spots for a free adventure is Delta Park. It’s looking positively lush right now with grasses flowering and dragonflies out in their hordes. To keep you busy, here's our list of Joburg’s loveliest green spaces: https://bit.ly/bestjoburgparks

Play your cards right at a fun games night, sip mimosas at Sunday Brunch Club, and catch Tyla’s fiery Homecoming tour fi...
16/01/2025

Play your cards right at a fun games night, sip mimosas at Sunday Brunch Club, and catch Tyla’s fiery Homecoming tour finale. Here’s some of what’s happening in Joburg this week:

📌 Pop star Tyla heats things up for her Homecoming tour finale show at SunBet Arena, Pretoria. Sat, Jan 18. (Top pic)
📌 Roll the dice, shuffle the cards, and crack some laughs at Board Games Night at Democracy Bar in Illovo. Thu, Jan 16.
📌 Enjoy cinematic gold with the 15th edition of My French Film Festival from the comfort of your own home. Fri, Jan 17 – Mon, Feb 17.
📌Smooth R&B and hip hop beats at The Hangout with ShooterKhumz and D Phault on the decks at The Twenty Twenty Club, Hallmark House by BON Hotels. Fri, Jan 17.
📌 Step into connection and community at Socially Gathering’s free women’s walk at James & Ethel Gray Park. Sat, Jan 18
📌 Make Sundays your favourite at Besos’ Sunday Brunch Club, Craighall Park – mimosas, brunch, beats, and more. Sun, Jan 19.
📌 The Troyeville rooftop comes alive with great music from Wendy Oldfield and Tim Parr. Sat,Jan 18.

Find out more:https://bit.ly/WeeklyEventsJHB

Return. We always do. To our homes, to our places of work, to our people. To a city that traverses the entire spectrum: ...
16/01/2025

Return. We always do. To our homes, to our places of work, to our people. To a city that traverses the entire spectrum: terrifying and beautiful. And a chance to greet it anew. Cue Sam Nhlengethwa’s loving portrait (top pic) of our imperfect city, which makes us wonder: what would be different if we began to think of the ground we walk on as sacred?

Loving Johannesburg doesn’t ask us to see past its problems, but it does implore us to imagine what’s beyond. A great number of those who live here do just this. Local heroes operating on every scale – and getting their hands dirty to make change happen.

We tip our hats to them in our first newsletter of 2025. Read it here:https://bit.ly/TheLatestNewsletter-Jan162025

📌 Read the heartening city stories and news worth getting excited about. Secret parks, planets, Formula One, new life for Joburg landmarks, dragons, and the upcoming G20 Summit… and that’s just the start.
📌 To help you tick off those New Year’s resolutions, discover where to learn a new skill or pick up a fresh hobby in the city – from aerial acrobatics and running clubs to cooking classes and creative pursuits.
📌 Looking ahead, we round up some of the major events on Joburg’s 2025 calendar to help you get the jump on planning your diary.
📌 In the more immediate future, discover our event highlights and must-see exhibitions this week. Bookmark these guides to stay in the loop.

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A new spot at @44_stanleyavenue - @kohi_by_ifuku. Stop by, settle in for coffee and say hi to Rodney, the denim king of Joburg. #repost @kohi_by_ifuku

Looking for the ultimate halaal food stop? The The Zone has you covered. From fish and chips to comforting curries and refreshing mocktails, this foodie haven offers something for every craving. Whether you're out for a quick bite, a full-on feast or a sweet treat, these spots are guaranteed to delight your taste buds. See our picks of halaal eateries at The Zone here: https://bit.ly/HalaalFoodTheZoneRosebank Arrive hungry, leave happy!

Only a few shows left for this. Grab your tickets for @the_cirk ’s fabulous version of ‘Gatsby’ at @crestacentre – until Sat, Dec 21. It’s 20s glitz and glam gone sky-high. And as with all of @cirk_productions, it’s a riot. Book now via our link in bio.

Looking for the ultimate halaal-friendly food stop? @rosebankthezone has you covered. From fish and chips to comforting curries and refreshing mocktails, this foodie haven offers something for every craving. Whether you’re out for a quick bite, a full-on feast or a sweet treat, these spots are guaranteed to delight your taste buds. See our picks of halaal eateries at The Zone – link in bio. Arrive hungry, leave happy!

A magical night under the stars at @fairlawnsboutiquehotel with @ardmore. Truly one of the most exceptional events we attended this year. Villa Mori got dressed up in Ardmore, the @themusesza were a super accompaniment and the food was sensational. We loved meeting founder Fee Halsted and her daughters, and the team behind what is one of the world’s most unique luxury brands. Collaborations with @hermes, wallpapers with @cole_and_son_wallpapers and the story of a woman who, in 1985, took her ceramic teaching skills to rural village in KwaZulu-Natal where she has nurtured incredible talented. Today a team of more than 100 people are part of the beauty created by Ardmore. If our experience of the night was anything to go by, Ardmore is truly a family, in the most warm and welcoming way. We arrived as guests and left as friends. Thank you ♥️ The @ardmore @fairlawnsboutiquehotel collaboration is also a thing of wonder, with a specially designed Ardmore Satara Suite. Check in … you won’t want to leave. The vision of the dynamic @michaelkewley72.

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