In the heart of Greenside and its ever booming night life is Gin. With its awesomely kitschy décor and rad vibe, it will have you coming back for more.

Hello Moose

At 12 Gleneagles Road, Greenside, you will find Gin. And, believe me, it is not easily missed. When you are greeted by a giant green moose and a giant red moose mounted on a brick wall, you have arrived.

Not to be shown up by the two colossal moose that ‘chill’ outside, the inside of Gin is even more delectable to the eye. ‘Retro’ and ‘kitschy’ are the two words that come to mind.

The Décor

As you enter the double-story space, let your eyes wander up toward the ceiling. There you will find actual Rubik’s cubes hovering over your head. Seriously, where else would you find that, besides some kid genius’s room?

The white walls are lined with unique, some would say, ‘trippy’, black and white paintings while black, red, yellow and white stripes are painted over the walls adding to the distinctive look and playful vibe that Gin masterfully creates.

And just like the moose greeting you as you enter the venue, so too does a moose greet you as you make your way towards my favourite destination, the bar. Above the bar sits a giant moose head, and not one of those eerily real moose heads you see when you go into your Uncle Bob’s cigar lounge, no, this is a plastic moose head lit by what seems to be Christmas lights. Order a shot and salute the moose, I say!

There are essentially three sections to Gin. The general area, with its bar, dance floor and moose head; the upstairs section that looks over the busy street; and the outside section, which is equipped with a speed bar that serves beers, ciders, tequila and Jagermeister. Here one can sit away from the constant dancing and chill out with friends.

Food & Drinks 

Gin is famous for its ‘Gin burger’ or ‘double gin burger’. I have walked in there many a time and seen people scoff down their massive meals and order another one immediately. Why? Well, simply because the food is mouth-watering and, of course, good value for money. If you are one for burgers, chicken fillet, Prego rolls, ribs and fish and chips then head down to Gin right away.

Gin also has awesome specials for lovers of alcohol.

Every day from 5-7pm you get two cocktails for the price of one and every Friday at the same time you get the cocktail special as well as two beers for the price of one. Then there is Wednesday when you can get anything for two for the price of one (except premiums).

Now for those vodka shots I’ve been craving…

The Music

With DJ’s like Wilson Fury, Saint Michael, DJ Mars and King Kyle you know you are in for one hell of a party. The music can be described as ‘feel good’; something you will dance and sing to without a care in the world. Songs vary from classics such as ACDC’s ‘Thunder strike’ to some serious drum and bass.

Gin also plays host to some of South Africa’s most accomplished bands. Jack Parrow, Aking and Double Adapter have all performed to a massive and enthusiastic crowd here. So when on the look-out for live music, always check what’s happening at Gin.

There is genuinely no pretense to Gin. As you enter those doors you are immediately overcome with a sense of playfulness. You want to dance and sing along to the music with drink in hand; you want to throw all your anxiety of the day away and party late into the night; and you want to come back once the night is over.

The Crowd

The crowd at Gin is completely varied. You will go there and see students drinking beer, 20 somethings’ sipping on their vodka limes and businessmen buying shots for anyone within two metres of them.

And everyone who goes to Gin, be they students or lawyers, all go there for one reason and one reason alone, to have one hell of a party.

Party Hard

Gin offers awesome music, rad people, delicious food and, of course, an awesome time. But if that isn’t enough for you, then know this: Gin has every single brand of gin you can buy.

Let’s go get our drink on and salute the moose!