It can be said that Johannesburg was born from the gold deposits nearby, and the city of today bears no resemblance to the town that stood here in 1886, where it all began. We explored three cigar lounges in the big city, each worth a visit.
Let’s begin with an interesting fact, perhaps even surprising to those not in the know. South Africa doesn’t have one capital city, but three, each serving a different role. But ironically, the largest and most developed city, Johannesburg, is not one of them. A remote town from the late 19th century, it has transformed into a real metropolis, with skyscrapers in its bustling center, and a city of economic significance to the entire continent. Its growth is due to the discovery of vast amounts of gold in the region.
For those who have never visited the southern tip of the African continent, the picture may appear somewhat different from what one might have imagined in the past. Not sand and desert, but lush greenery everywhere, water, sunshine, and even the sea. South Africa offers a wide range of experiences – nature reserves that offer excellent safari tours, combining enjoyment of wild nature with encounters with a fascinating variety of animals (Kruger National Park being the most famous and recommended), learning about local tribes and cultures, and at the Apartheid Museum, you can explore the painful and well-known history of the black struggle and their leader Nelson Mandela against the white regime.
South Africa is also the ninth-largest wine producer in the world, so you can enjoy the local wine culture and the wine itself, which comes from vineyards mostly located in the Western Cape, known for varieties such as Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz, and many others. Port-style wine (“Cape Port”) has also been produced in the region for many years, and due to its quality, it has gained great popularity.
Hosting the 2010 World Cup, including the opening and closing ceremonies held in Johannesburg, brought a massive “facelift” to the city and the country, with investments in modern infrastructure and construction. Although most of South Africa’s attractions are outside Johannesburg, it’s worth spending time in the city itself and, with the help of a local guide, discovering its uniqueness. Below are three cigar lounges that will enhance your evening after a long day of exploration.
Katzy’s Live
In the northern part of Johannesburg, in the modern and developing Rosebank district, right next to The Grillhouse restaurant, you’ll find Katzy’s Live, a cigar lounge that, in every way – design, menu, atmosphere, and live performances – rivals the finest cigar lounges in the United States. In fact, this was the exact model followed when it was established (and relocated to its current spot a decade ago) after the owners visited a piano bar cigar lounge in downtown Chicago back in 2004.
As they are also the owners of The Grillhouse chain, which serves wonderful grilled meat and seafood dishes, the ideal evening for them is to invite guests to start with a drink or cocktail at the Katzy’s bar, then continue with a hearty meal at The Grillhouse, and afterward return to Katzy’s, sink into one of the many leather armchairs, and enjoy – to the sound of live jazz music – a fine cigar from the rich selection, which includes well-known Cuban brands like Cohiba (including Behike 56), Hoyo de Monterrey, Montecristo, and Partagas (you can also bring your own cigar). The bar also offers an extensive and luxurious wine list (don’t miss a taste of Pinotage – a unique local red varietal), as well as cognac from VS to rare bottles of leading French brands, Armagnac, single malt whiskies from Japan, Taiwan, and the United States, rum, local brandy, and port wines.
The Firs / Hyatt Shopping Centre, C/O Oxford Road & Bierman Avenue
(+27) 11 880 3945
Pedro Portia Cigar & Champagne Lounge
As part of the venue’s unique concept, the owners of Pedro Portia prefer to maintain a certain sense of mystery, creating a “hidden gem” vibe—an ideal place known only to a select few. This often helps, as it does here, to ensure an exclusive atmosphere, a desirable crowd, and an appropriate standard.
The interior design style of the venue is modern Art Deco, which means a blend of geometric and artistic elements. The atmosphere evokes a knightly castle, with large oil paintings adorning the walls, or a royal palace, thanks to arched door frames, velvet-textured upholstered armchairs, and classic royal-style woodwork. Lighting plays a significant role in the design, casting the space in changing shades every day, both in the outer and inner parts of the lounge.
An impressive wall behind the bar proudly showcases a partial view of the rich selection of drinks available, including all the leading champagne brands – Dom Pérignon, Moët & Chandon, Krug, Mumm, and others, single malt whisky, rum, and more, as well as a variety of local and imported wines. In addition to “straight” drinks, dozens of original and classic cocktails are concocted on-site. The food menu includes small tapas dishes and full main courses.
Pedro Portia’s humidor is impressive, containing over 300 leading cigar brands from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Honduras. The entire venue is designated as smoking-friendly, proudly claiming that you no longer have to step outside to enjoy a cigar.
Shop U4.3, Cedar Square Shopping Center, Cedar Road Fourways
(+27) 11 465 5766
Cubaña
For those craving a taste of Latin America, and Cuba in particular, while in South Africa, the answer can be found at one of the fifteen branches of Cubaña. Not quite a restaurant, not exactly a bar, nor just a cigar lounge, but a bit of each, or as they define it – a Latino Social Caffé. Top athletes, politicians, and many Hollywood stars who have visited Cubaña have found the perfect combination of style, a vast selection of cocktails, and an array of drinks – cognac, rum, whisky, champagne, wine – alongside a Latin-inspired menu with local influences. This blend has contributed to the growing reputation of the chain, with new branches constantly joining the list.
The design of the Midrand branch, located at the Carlswald Lifestyle shopping center in the northernmost part of Johannesburg, best fits the definition of a “cigar lounge,” thanks to heavy, comfortable furniture, matching lighting fixtures, and a dedicated air-conditioning and smoke absorption system.
Corner of New Road and Harry Galaun Road, Carlswald Lifestyle Shopping Centre
(+27) 11 318 0656
