In Jo'burg regular things like shopping at Sandton City, Fourways or Cresta are fun but obviously not hip or edgy enough. We checked up with two Jozi night crawlers
to find out what's at the top of their must do lists in the city of gold, right now.

Newtown Music Centre
Music concerts, album launches and live performances are just a few of the events held here. It’s the kind of place the young and connected hang out for entertainment and freebies. It’s a good idea to check who’s performing because the artists they have are generally big news. ‘They’ve had people like Hugh Masekela and Letta Mbulu,’ says Thabang, a Jo’burg graphic designer. “They’re old school but vintage is cool,” he adds.

Afro Nova
As far as art galleries go, this must be one the funkiest in Jo’Burg. It’s not just a space where you can browse through exhibitions by various African artists. You can also enjoy the performances and screenings they put on which are specifically focused on African themes. Another Thabang favourite, he says, “It’s very trendy and it doesn’t have that weird-feeling that places have when they try too hard to be African.”

YFM
You can only get it in Jozi. So the next time you’re there, tune in and listen to what the hip people are listening to. The music playlist is fifty per cent local and fifty per cent international. Tuning in will not only help you keep up with what’s hot in South African hip hop, house or kwaito, it’ll also put you in the right mood for fast, trendsetting Jozi.

Wandies @ Soweto
Wandies is a hit with both the young and the young at heart. It started out twenty years ago as a shebeen, and now it’s a well known restaurant popular with both international and local travellers. If you feel it’s a bit touristy just go straight to the food. It’ll either taste like your mom’s food or look like what your friends told you they grew up eating. According to Thabang, it’s also a celeb spotting haven if you’re into SABC1, “A Zone 14 fan can expect at least one autograph opportunity.”

The Rock
The locals call it the best sundowner spot in the whole of Soweto. But you can do more than knock a few beers back in the late afternoon. Most people go for the township food, the drinks of course and the large dance floor. But there’s an open secret to it all, this is also the place where you can show off your fancy car, designer clothing and your latest squeeze. It’s all in the confidence and somehow everyone who comes here seems to have it in bucket loads. If you can’t show off you can always just go and observe and take some style tips.

Manhattan Club
You’ll definitely be seen at Manhattan Club no matter what your confidence levels. There are large dance floors with eight bars all around it and it’s a must for most urban night crawlers. “My friends and I almost always end up dancing here,” says Tess a Jo’burg model/actress. You definitely have to dress up for this club or else you’ll feel strangely dull in comparison to the slick décor and the sexy atmosphere. And if you’re kind of shameless, you can engage in a nice game of celeb spotting. Manhattan is a bit of a coven for local music, TV and sports stars.

The Braai
The house braai is hardly anything new. But they’re so easy and fun. “Braais and dinners at my house with friends are just the best,” says Tessa. If you have friends in Jo’burg and they hand out a braai invitation take it. It’s a guaranteed great time and you’ll meet new people who’ll add to your travelling experience and take you to more white-hot spots.