The eccentric Radium Beer Hall in Orange Grove, Johannesburg, has been listed as one of the world’s top twenty bars. It is also a great Mozambican restaurant and music venue.

Pick Handle Mary

Founded in 1929 as The Radium Tearoom, it lived the double life of elegant European-style café and illicit speakeasy until it acquired a liquor licence 13 years later. Shortly afterwards it changed its name to The Radium Beer Hall, becoming a men-only sawdust-and-spit-on-the-floor type of place.

At the time it was given the scarred old bar counter from the demolished Ferreirastown Hotel; atop which the fiery ‘Pick Handle Mary’ had inflamed rebels during the 1922 Rand Revolt.

An Unusual Funeral

In 1985 The Radium was acquired by the colourful Manny Cabeleira, who converted the adjoining courtyard to a restaurant and welcomed back women.

‘The most unusual funeral took place recently – it was the death of The Radium Beer Hall in Orange Grove,’ wrote Don Albert in The Star. ‘This all-male domain of arm-benders has now opened its doors to females, and so the staunch patrons decided to bury the past (literally!). On hand to make sure the coffin was given a good send-off were members of The Fat Sound big band, who marched along Louis Botha Avenue in the tradition of a New Orleans funeral.’

Cruelty to Liberals

The pressed-ceiling was painted olive green and the walls in the Portuguese national colours. On them were hung a clutter of sporting and jazz pictures; beer posters; and framed newspaper headlines and articles. One carries a report of when Manny rendered 15 journalists brain-dead with a combination of copious beer and awful jokes.

‘Manny, zet Manny, just would not let zem go,’ recalled witness Mrs von Maltitz at his trial for cruelty to liberals. ‘He just kept giving zem beer and zen more beer. Vun boy said “no more, Manny, please no more!” But zat Manny got vairy cross. I was vairy scared because zat Manny kept saying: “When a Portuguese offers you a drink you fucking take it, china. In ze end, it was ze beer zat killed zem.’

Mozambican Restaurant

Adjoining the bar is one of the best Portuguese/Mozambican restaurants in South Africa. The food is brilliant, the vibe is cool and the sauces fiery. Manny adds, ‘And no one can complain about the service because there isn’t any.’ It’s actually very good.

There are daily specials and a set menu. Do try the Portuguese sardines with olive oil and garlic or the chicken livers piri-piri for starters. On to the main course, the Radium is renowned for their prawns. Manny recommends the queen LM prawns over the king’s as they are sweeter, especially when cooked in beer.

For carnivores another favourite is the traditional Madeira rump espetada, which is marinated in wine garlic and bay leaves before being skewered and grilled to perfection. There are also plenty of vegetarian options. For pizza lovers they have a woodfired oven, with their gourmet offerings named after famous local musos.

Music Venue

The Radium over the last quarter century has established itself as a leading Johannesburg live music venue. On Wednesdays there is blues and rock and on Fridays jazz; with no cover charge.

There is a cover charge for local acts on a Saturday with all takings going to the artists. The first Monday of the month is given over to emerging acts and the second Sunday to big band swing.

All the musos are local so not only will you be assured a great time, but you’ll also be supporting our artists. Highly recommended.