Radium Beer Hall

Hidden beneath Johannesburg’s vibrant tapestry lies the Radium Beer Hall. This isn’t just any bar. It’s the oldest surviving bar and grill in the city. It stands at the corner of Louis Botha Avenue and 9th Street in Orange Grove. The Radium Beer Hall opened its doors in 1929. It started as a humble tearoom run by the Khalil family. Back then, it led a double life. It secretly served liquor to black patrons, defying the discriminatory laws of the time. They were forbidden from enjoying “white man’s booze”. Thirteen years later, the Radium Tearoom officially became the Radium Beer Hall. They finally acquired a wine and malt license. The bar itself is a relic of the past. Over 100 years old, it was salvaged from the demolished Ferreirastown Hotel. During the 1922 Rebellion on the Reef, striking miners found inspiration. A fiery female activist, known as “Pick Handle Mary”, would stand on this very bar, delivering passionate speeches. In 1944, Joe Barbarovich took over the Radium. His picture, along with those of other 1930s soccer players, adorns the walls today. The Radium became a beloved community pub. It was a landmark in Orange Grove. Countless stories from this era still circulate. Tales of eccentric customers and boisterous barmen add to the legend. The spit-and-sawdust era concluded in 1986 with Manny Cabeleira. He brought Portuguese flair and transformed the billiard room into a restaurant. This new Radium welcomed a diverse clientele, including black patrons and women, who had been excluded during the previous macho epoch. Live music followed, including the Fat Sound 19-piece jazz band playing the first Sunday of every month. Today, the Radium Beer Hall continues its tradition of live performances. Several nights a week, various artists grace its stage. Since 1994, the Radium has gained international recognition. Travel guides recommend it as a genuine South African experience. Tourists visiting Johannesburg often consider it a “must-see” destination. The walls, covered in memorabilia, whisper stories of the past. Photos of pre-war soccer teams, jazz musicians, vintage posters, and press clippings all record the Radium’s rich history. The embossed tin ceiling vibrates in harmony with the music, a tangible connection to the past. Come, experience the Radium Beer Hall. It’s more than just a bar. It’s a living testament to Johannesburg’s history, where the echoes of the past mingle with the rhythm of the present.