South Africans do love an alcoholic beverage. Who can blame us? Some of the best that the world has to offer is made right here at home. Being a social butterfly of sorts, I have sorely missed visiting new establishments and tasting what is on their drinks menu.
The pandemic did a number on us but I’m happy to say that things appear to be getting better and we’re seeing more people venture out to support their favourite drinking places in a safe, compliant manner.
Raising a glass for celebration
I also ventured out to sample what’s happening on the drinks calendar recently. I started off with celebrating Champagne Day last month at the top of Africa’s highest urban bar and viewing deck, Alto234 Bar, with Moët & Chandon. The beverage maker gathered all the lovers of all things luxurious and champagne across 10 cities spanning Africa and the Middle East to raise their glasses at 5.43pm in homage to the year the Maison was founded.
All of us likers of things gathered together and gave a grand collective toast to life following the amazing words of spoken word artist Siphokazi Jonas.
Spotted in the crowd were beauty content creator Mihlali Ndamase, actor Maps Maponyane and actress Linda Mtoba.
Decadent world of whiskey
My next soiree was at Maxim, inside the DaVinci Hotel & Suites in Sandton. It’s a whisky and cigar lounge and they‘re now offering monthly whisky tastings to educate enthusiasts on some of the world’s favourite whisky brands.
The tastings are held on the last Thursday of every month. On these days a whisky ambassador will guide attendees through their varietals, talking through the history, nose and palate of each one.
Light canapes are served from the neighbouring Maximillien Restaurant. The venue has floor-to-ceiling displays of some of the world’s finest whiskies, cognacs and other premium spirits. Patrons can also keep a bottle of their whiskey in the whiskey library to enjoy whenever they are at the establishment. When walking into the place, I felt very much like how the femme fatale character in the James Bond movies must feel. Its moody interiors, with dark furnishings, make an intimate space where one feels they can relax and are at their most powerful.
The knowledgeable bar staff and whiskey ambassador made it a breeze to understand what I was tasting and answered all questions. To book your space or find out more about the monthly whisky tastings, please visit the Legacy Hotels & Resorts website www.legacyhotels.co.za
Walking on the wild side
Lastly, I attended the launch of Zioux (pronounced Zoo), a new cocktail bar and champagne lounge right next door to Saint in the Marc building. It’s a retro explosion that manages to look uber cool. There’s a 70s flair about it with playful prints, bespoke artwork designs and textures.
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What caught my eye was the huge black bug art pieces on the white pillars, the giant lampshade, light fixtures and the leopard print clawed bar stools. The interior looks like the drawing room an English gentleman who’s fond of hunting, to be precise. There’s a lot going on but you will like it.
The menu is designed around small plates that guests would enjoy throughout their visit. This place is perfect for after work drinks and for the busy crowd that frequents Sandton who want to catch up over a drink or two. On the night of the launch I got to taste vetkoek oxtail, various fish dishes and the oysters that were on offer in both the Japanese and Western styles.
Zioux is just the right amount of extra and escapism you need after the world nearly ended.
“The world has changed but people still love to go out and have fun,” explains Gary Kyriacou, founder of the Marble Group that was brought Zioux to Jozi. “We see people are looking to escape when they’re out – Zioux will be that place for them to let go.”
Bookings are essential and a strict dress code will apply. No under 25s.
Let’s drink and be merry, SA!
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