Owned by Yanky Woolf, Sean Haarhoff (who is also Head Chef) and Chad Crouch, the bar doubles as a showcase for Jim Green footwear, known for rugged and durable boots usually favoured by farmers and game rangers. These boots were made for walking, and the trio has their sights set on attracting a much wider audience to the brand.
Jim Green footwear is manufactured in Pietermaritzburg, in KwaZulu Natal. Founded in 1991, it's a third-generation family business of which Crouch is part, in a tough local footwear manufacturing environment. Hence the drive to be creative about growing the audience. Crouch came up with the idea for the bar after seeing a Prosecco & Stiletto Bar in Italy, which prompted the thought of why not Boots & Beer? Now there are plans for more of The Frog Boot Bars, starting with additions in other Joburg neighbourhoods. We'll be watching this space.
Frog Boot Bar is located at The Courtyard Illovo, formerly known as The Illovo Post Office Centre. The bar is an innovative space where Jim Green shoes are artfully displayed across the walls as if they are trophies. Pick up a shoe, and you’ll feel the impressive solidity of it. These are well-made items, using high-quality leather.
Frog Boot Bar is a tastefully decorated space with lots of interesting touches, including a chandelier made of strips of natural shoe leather and beautifully crafted leather menu holders. On the day we visited, we were hosted by Yanky Woolf. He is super proud of the space and what it offers, and he has a right to be. It's a beauty. The Hunter Green interior is sophisticated but welcoming. The bar is airy, with chairs spilling out onto an enclosed terrace.
Arrive and order from the menu. Select your shoe and your food and drink. Purchase a pair of shoes and enjoy a beer in an outsized shoe-shaped glass. The fun is built into every part of the experience, and, of course, you don't need to buy shoes to be here, but it certainly makes a change from any other shoe shop experience.
The bar is a cleverly designed space where industrial chic meets old-school pub charm. Seating is informal, and the crowd is varied.
The menu leans into bistro-style pub fare, with a focus on quality over quantity. Pub food made posh. We loved our meal there, added to by the warmth and charm of our host, who talked us through the space and the meal.
Yanky Woolf is warm and energetic, and if you have spotted him on social media, you'll know he enjoys the attention. With decades of experience in the hospitality business, he is also co-founder of The Wild Side with Sean Haarhoff, a distinctive restaurant and bar located in Craighall Park. Woolf's ventures are characterised by unique themes. The ultimate host, he is focused on creating a memorable and interactive guest experience, so service here is naturally tops.
Expect well-executed small plates and mains. The drinks list features beers, a solid wine selection by the glass, and a lively cocktail menu. We enjoyed the mix of dishes. Everything we tried was tasty and beautifully presented. Good pub staples like fish and chips with mushy peas and bangers and mash are offered alongside fancier options such as aged sirloin steak sandwiches and seared sesame tuna. Vegetarian options include a delicious cauliflower cheese steak and mushroom ravioli, which are always nice to see on a pub menu. The salads are good too. Do yourself a favour and order the Parmesan fries. The dessert menu is utterly indulgent, and if you love supporting local, make sure to leave space for peppermint crisp pudding or sticky toffee pudding.
During cricket season, The Frog Boot Bar takes full advantage of its proximity to Wanderers Stadium. The venue becomes an unofficial pre- and post-game watering hole, with screens showing the match for those who didn't manage to secure tickets (on non-match days, those same screens show the meticulous process of making the footwear). Special cricket season deals often pop up, making it a prime spot for catching up with friends over a cold beer and a bite to eat while soaking up the game-day atmosphere. We love the addition of a tuk-tuk service to ensure you get to and from the stadium without the hassle of navigating through an army of parking attendants who pop up for each game in Illovo and Melrose, determined to get you to park your car even if you are just passing through the neighbourhood.
While it may sound gimmicky, The Frog Boot Bar is not. It's about well-made boots, well-poured drinks, and well-prepared food combined with a sense of fun in an elegant setting. If you're after something different but genuinely good, step inside.
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