It only takes a visit to Maboneng on a Saturday afternoon for sundowners to revive your enthusiasm for Johannesburg, if it's been flagging a little over winter. Though our dry winters turn the city a rather sickly tone of jaundice, and the pollution from the township coal fires smothers downtown, the colour on the streets in this gentrified part of town with its influences from all over Africa is sure to brighten your outlook.While most of the development has happened on the south side of Commissioner Street, the northern side is starting to follow suit with galleries and bars promising to further elevate your Maboneng experience.One of the most intriguing buildings in Johannesburg, The Cosmopolitan Hotel, was built in 1899 and has been declared a heritage building. The original bar, stylishly renovated to retain its old feel recently re-opened its doors. The bar is original, as are the wooden panels that surround it, but the interior has been updated with slick stone floors and rough face-brick walls. The popular Cube Tasting Kitchen in Parktown North has taken on the food element, launching the Gastro Bar focused on a simplified version of Cube's food offering with a great wine list, whisky and lots of gins and bubbly. The beautiful Victorian building, with its crumbling facade, was once a gentleman's club but has been derelict for years. It took the vision and commitment of the founders of Hazard Gallery (also housed in the building), Jonathan Freemantle and Daniel Liebmann, to bring the building back to life. The revival was inspired by the likes of Dover Street Market in London and 10 Corso Como in Milan, and will combine international and Pan-African luxury brands housed in interesting spaces on the first floor with the artisanal food and vibrant bar.Visit The Cosmopolitan on the corner of Commissioner and Albrecht Streets, Maboneng Precinct.For reservations at the restaurant email cosmobar1899@gmail.com or call 082-422-8158 (the Cube Bookings Line)..