JOBURG – It's an ambience you won't often experience in South Africa and it is only available for one more month.
Johannesburg has been taken by the opening of an independent bar that offers an exclusive look into a high-end New York bar.
With a maximum capacity of around 58 people, the Glenfiddich Independent Bar in Braamfontein is quite something to talk about.
City Buzz was lucky enough to experience the venue in all of its glory, on 27 May.
Photo: Supplied MASTERMIND: The range of drinks offered at the Independent Bar are created by Dino Batista and his team at Molecular Bars.
Upon entering, guests speak their names out loud and clear into a microphone, which then uses biometric technology to create a personalised drink using Glenfiddich whisky – infusing flavours that the speaker should like and create an enjoyable experience coupled with great music.
The brand’s ambassador, Quintin Denyssen, spoke to City Buzz about what they were trying to achieve by opening the Independent Bar.
“What we are trying to do is to reward Glenfiddich drinkers with a Glenfiddich experience. It’s bespoke, it’s invite only, and it’s quite unique in its conception because you can’t just come here unless you’re on the guest list and that really doesn’t exist in Johannesburg’s social culture.”
Talking about the physical venue on Reserve Road in Braamfontein, he continued. “This is a pop-up space and on the premises they do things that Glenfiddich are trying to do. The space in Braamfontein is unique because generally, premium spaces in Braamfontein are found on a rooftop – this is something completely different; it’s a speakeasy New York-style bar, underground. You don’t see what’s happening.”
The menu, while not being overbearing, does offer a great range of food and drinks.
Molecular Bars, one of Johannesburg’s prominent mobile bar services came on board the project and created the exclusive drinks on each opening night.
“Just basically an expression of the brand and its capabilities as the world’s biggest single malt. The turnout has been really good. This is the representation of the drink and the brand; this is it visually, to feel, to taste, to experience in one spot, in Jozi,” said Dino Batista, co-founder of Molecular Bars.
Photo: Racine Edwardes GENTLEMEN’S AFFAIR: Tyler Gillam, Thulani Langa Jr, Michael West and Bradley Ogle enjoy the ambience at the Independent Bar.
Treated to the sounds of DJ Kenzhero, divine culinary creations and drinks like no other, visitors were able to experience the brand like never before.
