Stuck in Jozi these hols? You can still go to the beach. Just head to this club

For Durbanites Guy Baranyay and Guy van der Post the feeling of hot sand underfoot and long summer nights was fading after years in the big smoke of Joburg. Their solution to reawaken those balmy evenings under the stars? A new Jozi events venue: The Beach Rivonia.

Officially open from early December on Fridays and Saturdays, The Beach Rivonia distils the two Guys’ previous event experience in Joburg ventures such as Tiger Tiger, Thirteen Venue and Bar, Nightfever and Katy’s Palace.

Along with two other partners, they’re launching their central venue in the heart of Rivonia, which is especially perfect for missing the traffic with some after-work drinks at the end of a long week.

They tell us more.

What’s special about the location?

Our venue sits adjacent to Madison Avenue in Rivonia, but it occupies a unique space with outdoor and indoor areas. The outdoor area has been fully transformed into a true beach bar with sand, naked bulbs strung overhead, and tall palm trees reaching up to the night sky.

There’s a wooden deck with VIP and booth areas that can be booked out, and several bar areas. Inside is a beach club with another big bar, a DJ booth and a dance floor for dancing the night away or should the weather turn.

What’s the theme?

This is Mozam meets Mykonos, with a setting of rustic wood, beach sand and giant palms brought to life with top-class live music and DJ acts, and the very best in bar service. Naked bulbs begin to glow against the setting sun, and on chilly nights, the warming comfort of fire pits keeps the party going late into the evening.

With toes in the sand and a designer cocktail in hand, we’re offering guests the laidback feel of a beach holiday, with all the excitement of nights spent dancing under the stars in a tropical paradise.

What about drinks and food?

There are four bars (three outdoors and one inside), serving everything from Coronas to designer cocktails mixed by skilled bartenders, and food trucks offering a variety of tasty fare.

What kind of functions and events will you host?

On Friday afternoons and nights we cater for a fun-loving, after-work drinks crowd, while Saturdays are for the hip, urban Sandton and Rivonia scene. We also hire the event for all types of functions from Sundays to Thursdays: think year-end parties, bachelorette parties, corporate functions – you name it.

This article was originally published in the Sunday Times Neighbourhood: Property and Lifestyle guide. Visit Yourneighbourhood.co.za