2. From morning till night, Joburg’s Even After All offers a fresh take on the diner

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VISI / REASONS

SPIRIT OF REVIVAL

A quirky lunch spot by day that transforms into a chic cocktail and music venue by night, Even After All – recently opened at Joburg’s 44 Stanley – gives a knowing nod to the retro vibes of the ’70s.

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ven After All – the brainchild of Marcel and Marc Cronje of Dine & Dash, Fhatuwani Mukheli and Mary Songo – is just one of a spate of fresh new eateries around the country that were conceptualised during last year’s Level 5 lockdown. Marcel explains that the space was named for one of his favourite songs by Finley Quaye, which he felt expressed the collective resilience of the restaurant industry through the pandemic.

The interior design, on the other hand, was inspired by nostalgia-fuelled TV binge-watching. “During [the lockdown], I found myself watching a lot of television – Mad Men, Peaky Blinders and Halston,” says Marcel. “All of these series are set in different decades of the 1900s, which got me thinking about creating a space from a previous era.” The interiors of some of Mad Men’s leading characters’ living spaces struck a particular chord. “I’ve found myself circling back to Don [Draper] and Megan’s apartment,” Marcel explains. “It’s such a beautiful space, and it inspired us to create something with influences from the early ’70s.”

The Cronje siblings have a passion for launching cool restaurants, with two prestigious Johannesburg spots –The Royale and Louise & Anna – under their belts prior to Even After All. At the latter, the idea from its very inception was to create a feeling of nostalgia for the 1970s through the design, food, drinks and music. The result is a place infused with the comfortable familiarity of a bygone era, “almost like you’ve been here thousands of times before,” says Marcel.

MICHAELA STEHR SARAH DE PINA WORDS PHOTOS

Some standout features of the restaurant include chequered black-and-white floor tiles, velvet booths, diner-style bar stools, psychedelic wallpaper, neon signage, and period TV cabinets and posters. A particularly charming statement piece – one that captures the essence of the old-school diner while being resolutely contemporary in its content – is a bespoke vending machine that dispenses beers from local craft breweries. And the in-house stash of board and card games includes chess, backgammon, 30 Seconds, Scrabble, Uno and Rummikub, creating a feeling of old-fashioned, home-style fun and togetherness.

Also gloriously retro is the corporate identity of the brand, which was conceptualised with the help of HALO, and local illustrators Jo Clarke and Kelly Brazier. Even After All pays particular homage to the orange hues that were so typical of the ’70s, and in both branding and interiors, adds complementary tones of green to the mix too, so the colour scheme features a range of contrasts – think burnt rust with olive green, for example. Two other ’70s decor icons that are exceptionally hot right now – potted plants and wood panelling – also make an appearance, with a verdant fringe of indoor greenery scattered around the bar.

When it comes to food, expect retro classics and family-style favourites such as cheese fondue or “Mom’s Mac ’n’ Cheese” on a menu that transitions easily from breakfast right through to dinner. “We’re offering a bit of a different vibe, going from breakfast to lunch to dinner with transitioning menus, drinks, music and vibe,” says Marcel. Which means you’re welcome to stay (and play) all day. evenafterall_jhb