Venue Detail
Kitchener's Carvery Bar
About this venue
Oh, honey, the dead has been raised, and she is looking absolutely magnificent! Kitchener's Carvery Bar is Johannesburg’s ultimate historical shapeshifter. First swinging its doors open way back in 1906, it stands as the city's second-oldest bar. While it broke our hearts by briefly closing down due to economic strains, the neighborhood legends at Play Braamfontein teamed up with Castle Lager to orchestrate a spectacular, star-studded resurrection.
Practical details
Address: 71 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001, South Africa
Hours: Wednesday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Thursday Open 24 hours, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
Canonical: https://www.queeratlas.app/johannesburg/venues/kitchener-s-carvery-bar--1601
Venue intelligence
Know before you go
Typical queue
During casual afternoons or mid-week gigs, you can breeze right inside. But when the weekend dance floor ignites, lines on Juta Street stack up quickly past 10:30 PM. Expect a 15 to 30-minute wait as the venue hits peak student and clubber capacity
Best night
Arrive around 8:30 PM on a Friday or Saturday night to snag a table, secure a stellar spot before the midnight crush, and sample their highly affordable bar menu.
Locals vs visitors
A brilliant, energetic intersection of humanity. You will be clinking glasses with WITS University students, local indie creatives, house-music heads, alternative trendsetters, and a massive queer community that treats it as their inner-city living room.
Dress code in practice
Completely relaxed, authentic, and street-fluid. Thrifted 80s styles, casual denim looks, graphic tees, beanies, or expressive club gear are standard. Leave the stuffy designer collars at home—dress for a crowded, sweaty dance floor.
Staff inclusion
Outstanding and notoriously radical. Kitchener's is widely celebrated as an intentional sanctuary for Jozi's queer and alternative scenes, famously hosting legendary movements like the femme- and queer-focused Pussy Party.
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