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o g s t n e d u Where the St k n i Dr y e h t and What E very weekend students go out to party in various night clubs across the city and townships, Nolihle Gulwa speaks to students in Johannesburg about their favourite venues and drinks in town.
Manager of News Café at Campus Square Shopping Centre in Melville Timothy Khanye said “We don’t do anything to attract students, but we have music on special days. We check what kind of music is appropriate for the customers. We also interview our customers about what they like and expect from us. Young male patrons order draughts because they have higher volume and ladies prefer cocktails and shooters. News Café offers a comprehensive cocktail menu ranging from classic cocktails to their own creations including a selection of wines and premium spirits. Vhahangwele Mapiri, a student from one of the colleges in Braamfontein said “what attracts me to a night club is the mood in the club, but I hardly go to clubs, bars, or taverns unless my friends want us to go out. My favourite liquor is brandy and because I am not an avid drinker, when I buy a bottle it lasts for months.” Some of the students usually go to clubs to interact with friends, socialise and have fun, not just to drink alcohol. Many tertiary institutions host their freshman’s parties at clubs around the city. Owner of Raja Raja Tavern, Raja James says his tavern is for anyone over the age of 18 “I don’t specifically target students, but if anyone wants a beer they can come in and drink. We sell what our market requires, ranging from beers, ciders and brandy.” Students prefer different types of drinks depending on the occasion and the venue. When chilling with friends at a classy place, you may go for ciders for girls and beers for boys, but when the place has a good vibe it’s most likely for them to hang in there and listen to music or just chill with friends. This is according to Thenjwe Gumbi, a college student 22
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who also says she prefers wine and light ciders. “My favourite wine is a red blend, and ciders, I like Hunters Gold, Hunters Dry and Purple Ice.” Bliss Corner is a vibrant bar at the corner of Jorissen and Biccard Street in Braamfontein. It offers everything such as cocktails, ciders, beers, whiskies and brandies. The bar Manager, Ditso Toni Sekwenyane says their bar is targeting
the youth market and they do promotions through posters, Facebook and SMS campaigns. Persons under the age of 18 are strictly not allowed at their venue. Sekwenyane says in his observation, students do not have a special brand of liquor but they order any beer. The Manager of The Dros Restaurant and Bar in Melville’s Campus Square, Max Sibanda says “We do promotions with
