Artivist: Braamfontein's Must-Visit Art Bar

2Summers | 28 February 2019
johannesburg food art music bars

In Braamfontein there is a tiny, tree-lined street called Reserve Street. It’s more of an alley really, in a block created by Jorissen and De Korte Streets to the north/south and Melle and Biccard Streets to the east/west. Beams cross over the street, draped in vegetation, creating the illusion of a mini-forest in the middle of this noisy city neighborhood.

On this alley/street is a place called Artivist.

Outside Artivist in Braamfontein
Outside Artivist, on Reserve Street.

Happy Hour at Artivist

I call Artivist an “art bar”, but it’s really a restaurant/bar/art gallery/music venue. I went early on a Thursday evening and found a nice smattering of guests, a friendly and talented bartender, tasty African snacks, and a thought-provoking exhibition by Zimbabwean artist Kudzani Chiurai.

There’s a balcony above the bar with space for more art, and a secret music venue below – called the “Untitled Basement” – hosting regular jazz performances and other hip musical events. (Artivist’s owners, DJ Kenzhero and Bradley Williams, are current and former DJs.)

Since the legendary Orbit Jazz Club is now closed (sob), I’m so happy there is another Braamfontein music venue to fill that void.

Inside the Artivist in Braamfontein
Inside Artivist.
Artivist bar
The bar has great light.
Art by Kudzani Chiurai in Artivist bar
Art by Kudzani Chiurai. Artivist hosts a different solo art exhibition each month.
Bar snacks at Artivist
Cheap but delicious bar snacks: dombolo (dumpling, or sweet boiled bread), and roasted butternut. I didn’t eat a full meal but judging from the drinks and snacks I’m guessing all the food is great.
Artivist cocktail by bartender William Maphoso
Marie-Lais’ delicious coffee-based cocktail by bartender William Maphoso.
The “Untitled Basement” below Artivist bar.
The swanky Untitled Basement, open only for musical performances and other events.

Braamfontein is inhabited by thousands of university students, but William the bartender says Artivist is geared toward the “working class” – i.e., older people who actually work.

In my view, Artivist is just plain classy.

Looking down from the Artivist balcony.
Looking down from the Artivist balcony.

Artivist is at 7 Reserve Street, Braamfontein. It’s open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Follow Artivist on Instagram.