The news of Kitchener's Bar and Carvery (corner of 71 Juta and De Beer Streets, Braamfontein), closing in March 2024 sent shockwaves through social media, with teary-eyed emojis flooding the comment section. To mark the end of an era, a two-night farewell (Sat, Mar 30 – Sun, Mar 31, 2024) saw the dancefloor packed to capacity – pulsing with its trademark energy, but also nostalgia, and a touch of heartbreak. Play Braam, led by Adam Levy, took over the reins and by November 2024, Kitchener's was back: refreshed, revamped, and ready for a brand-new chapter.
For the past 15 years, Kitchener's wasn’t just a bar; it was a cultural melting pot – a space where students, hipsters, and creatives rubbed shoulders with CEOs, where underground DJs made their mark, and where the beer was always cold (and sometimes questionably cheap).
Originally built in 1902, the venue had a long history before its 2009 reinvention that saw Andrew Clements, Ri Botha, and Colleen Balchin transform the space from a fading old man’s pub into a Braamfontein institution. By the mid-2010s, with Neighbourgoods Market (now The Playground) buzzing and other developments in the area, Braamfontein became a hotspot, and Kitchener’s was right at the centre of it all.
DJs like Rosie Parade and Danger Ngozi helped turn Kitchener’s into a sonic playground, where disco, house, and genre-blurring beats reigned supreme. It was also the first home of Pussy Party, a femme- and queer-focused DJ academy that has reshaped the local scene.
But a pandemic, rising rent, and a strained landlord relationship ultimately closed this chapter – one that championed bold music, impeccable sound, and the rarest of clubbing gems: an actual dancefloor. As media maven Maria McCloy put it, "Clubbing nowadays is more about looking rich, being fancy, expensive liquor, the same ol’ tracks by the same ol’ DJs, and the VIP section – not about great music, great sound, and an actual dancefloor, platforming and developing fresh talent… Kitchener’s was that."
A new era for Kitchener's Bar
While the history of Kitchener's remains intact, its new ownership is undoubtedly aiming to usher in a new era for the space. It is now one of several venues under the purview of Play Braam; the property development and creative brainchild of Adam Levy, and the custodian of four intersecting blocks in Braamfontein that bring vibrancy and an artistic sensibility to the neighbourhood.
In keeping with this, Kitchener's has undergone a glow-up. The infamous old carpets – which held more stories than we could ever know – have been replaced with new flooring. The walls now sport brand-new wallpaper, giving the venue a refreshed yet familiar charm. And in a bold move, the old DJ booth has made way for a piano, adding a touch of elegance – although, true to Kitcheners' spirit, it will still make way for a proper music setup when the night calls for it. The exterior has swapped its bright blue coat for a cream and beige palette.
The official relaunch of Kitchener's took place on Thu, Jan 23, 2025. Speaking at the event, Play Braam’s head of hospitality, development and growth, Marcel Cronje, said: "I can only hope that we honour the rich history that Kitchener's has and we hope that we do it correctly. But other than that, we also hope that people experience a new era, which is a revamp. We put a lot of love into this place."
What to expect at Kitchener's in Braamfontein
Despite the new look, Kitchener's has kept some old favourites on the programme, including comedy night. Wednesdays are all about big laughs, where the jokes (and the drinks) keep flowing. We visited Kitchener's on Wed, Feb 5, 2025, catching a glimpse of the setup for an upcoming comedy night. On Fridays and Saturdays, the guest DJs take over, spinning beats that keep the dance floor alive till the early hours. And when Sunday rolls around, it’s time to slow it down with soul sessions, one of the busiest days according to general manager, Dumile Mgutshini.
Kitchener's isn't just back, it's levelled up. Alongside its grand relaunch, Little Kitchener's Pizzeria (right next door to Kitchener's) made its debut in November 2024. And the expansion by Play Braam doesn’t stop there. According to Cronje, there’s plenty more in the pipeline. By mid-2025, we can expect a coffee shop and jazz club to set the mood, while a steakhouse and even an indoor skatepark have also been teased.
Welcoming the Little Kitchener's Pizzeria
The biggest change to the revamped Kitchener's has to be the addition of Little Kitchener's Pizzeria. While Kitchener's has long been a melting pot of students, creatives, and professionals, the pizzeria aims to continue that legacy – offering a space where good food and company come together. Mgutshini explained, "I think Kitcheners was known for bringing people from all walks of life together into Braam; you could find people who were CEOs and high executives to people who were students coming in here."
What's on the menu: Kitchener's Bar and Little Kitchener's Pizzeria
The vision for Little Kitchener's Pizzeria was simple: to create an authentic Italian-style pizza experience right in the heart of Johannesburg. Executive chef of Play Braam, Tanaka Mzondiwa, was brought on board to craft a menu that captures the essence of Italy while keeping a South African twist in mind.
Mzondiwa says the pizzeria’s menu is thoughtfully curated, offering a mix of classic Italian and unique house-special pizza. One of the most popular picks is the Otto di Terra, a vegetarian option with zucchini, fresh rocket, chilli and truffle oil. For those who like a little heat, there's the spicy chicken pizza with fior di latte, tomato, peppadews, and peri-peri chicken. Our personal favourite? The pepperoni and hot honey pizza balances savoury and sweet with a homemade hot honey sauce. Pizzas are well-sized with a delicious thin base but could be more generous with the toppings. Alongside the pizza, there's a small side menu of fresh salads to choose from.
Looking at the pricing of its food and non-alcoholic spritzers, with a few of the pizzas crossing the R200 mark and the spritzers an eye-watering R85 per beverage, they are obviously hoping to attract professionals earning salaries and not only the bar regulars in Braamfontein – the student population. Mgutshini believes the prices reflect the quality of the experience – from the carefully sourced ingredients to the plating, ambience, and music stating, "Our prices are reasonable for what we’re offering. It’s not just about the pizza – it’s about the entire atmosphere we’ve created." And we will admit, the vivid green-and-white outdoor seating area does feel like a little escape from the general buzz of the district.
Little Kitchener's offers a small wine and bubbly menu as well as a selection of non-alcoholic spritzers in flavours such as lemongrass and basil, watermelon and classic Aperol. For those who prefer something stronger and more bang for your buck, you can still order from the Kitchener's Bar drinks menu even if you're eating at Little Kitchener's – just like we did, enjoying an ice-cold Black Label and a well-mixed Peach Paloma from their speciality cocktail menu (also from R85). Kitchener's also keeps it simple yet satisfying with a compact selection of wine and beer.
With its freshly renovated look and drinks still hitting just right, Kitchener’s is back – but don't expect it to pick up exactly where it left off. While the addition of Little Kitchener’s Pizzeria adds a new flavour to the mix, rising prices and a shifting landscape in this student-centric neighbourhood beg the question: will it maintain its trajectory as a beloved local haunt? For now, it seems to be walking the line between old and new but leaning towards the new – attracting a more conservative and affluent crowd. We'll be watching this space.
Food: 6.5/10
Because while we think the pizza dough is pretty good, the toppings could be more generous for the price.
Drinks: 8/10
We loved the Paloma cocktail. A good solid choice. Try it.
Ambience: 6.5/10
Frankly hard to judge because we visited late on a Wednesday afternoon, so we suggest you try it after working hours and let us know.
Kitchener's Bar opening hours: Wed – Sun from 11:00 till late
Little Kitchener's Pizzeria operating hours: Wed – Sun from 11:00 till late
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