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The entertainment scene in the city is broad and there is always something for everyone to do. There are theatres; galleries; bars & pubs; clubs and many more to choose from.
Theatres
One of the highlights in Pretoria is the theatre scene, which has entertained both locals and international visitors for many years. The State Theatre, one of the biggest theatres in the country, caters for opera, dance and music lovers. In a year, the State Theatre plays host to about more than 100 live performances and festivals, from ballet and opera to traditional African musicals. One of the more renowned theatres to visit is the Unisa Little Theatre, which is mainly used by up and coming artists and directors. Plays at the theatre are very fresh, and not your average fare. For a not-so-ordinary but fascinating way of enjoying live arts, visit Die Teaterhuis (The Theatre House), in Sunnyside, where the fun and the laughter never ends. It delivers some of the more memorable and enjoyable plays in the city.
Bars & Pubs
Where to start? The city has a vast selection of bars and pubs, with some of the better ones being part of restaurants or hotels.
Drous Restaurant & Pub and The Cuban Café are the up-market, posh pubs, which attract young professionals and those who enjoy good company with a good environment and good drinks. For the affordable up-market pubs there is Fandango’s; Tings an’ Times; Keg & Hound; Desperado Salon & Diner and Nile Crocodile, which not only offers the best service around but also a relaxed environment. One of the favorites with locals and visitors alike is the fast growing number of cocktail bars. The hottest cocktail bar, which has proved itself throughout the years, is South Beach. The bar never runs out of ideas on how to serve and name some of their more famous drinks.
Another cocktail bar, which has an exotic cocktail menu, is Cool Runnings. With its Rastafarian feel it brings customers the flavour of two worlds, Jamaica and Africa. There is no place that serves colourful shooters like this one. If going to a Rastafarian pub or a hectic pub is not the best idea for you, then try the subtle cocktail pubs like Café Amics; Jazz Times and Pierre Café. These pubs also have an interesting menu, with a very cozy environment to go with it.
Sports fanatic? This city also has plenty of sports pubs. South Africa is a sports loving country, with cricket, rugby and soccer being major events on the calendar. To satisfy that sporting thirst, Pretoria has one of the best-equipped sports cultures in the country. There is the London Sports Pub, Red Card Sports Pub, World of Sports Action Bar, Villagers Sportsman Pub and World of Sports Action Bar of Wonder Waters. These pubs are equipped with the best audio and visual material, driving any sports fan crazy. Even though they might not differ that much in size, they all offer the best in sports and leisure enjoyment.
Due to its cultural diversity, Pretoria has a wide selection of jazz venues featuring live sessions. Places like Solly’s Tavern, Sandy’s Tavern, Safika, Chilli Boys Jazz Tavern and Mamelodi Tavern play host to local and international jazz musicians. These sessions range from contemporary jazz to a more ethnic variety, and are a feast to all you jazz-fiends out there.
Clubs
When it comes to nightlife, Pretoria has it all. For hardcore House music, rave and live DJs, The funk, Automatic and Club Evolution are the places to visit. These clubs are all situated in safe areas and their DJs change from time to time. Voodoo Lounge, Club Explosion, Drop Zone, Times Four and Club Lambada, play a mixture of house music, Latino sounds, American pop, and music from around the African continent. For live South African music, pop in at the Boston Tea Party, where renowned and up and coming musicians come together to entertain guests all through the night.
Festivals
Being the capital city of South Africa, Pretoria plays host to festivals to celebrate public holidays and commemorative days. Festivals are held at different venues like the State Theatre, Union Buildings, Loftus Stadium and Church Square.
One of the best and well-known festivals to be held around the city is the Jazz Indaba Festival, which is held four times a year, at the Morula Sun or Moretele Park. Here, jazz fans gather to witness the best of local and international jazz.
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