Bar
Sin + Tax
Sin + Tax is a discreet speakeasy-style cocktail bar in Rosebank known for imaginative seasonal drinks and bottled cocktails made with local spirits and botanicals.
Obscura Cocktail Bar and Eatery
Obscura in Rosebank's Oxford Parks is a cocktail bar and eatery co-owned by mixologist George Hunter, pairing seasonal cocktails with South African-inspired sharing plates.
At a glance
- Type
- Cocktail bar and small plates
- Area
- Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Price
- $$$ · Upscale
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Monday) · 12:00–00:00
- Official site
- obscurabar.co.za
Good to know
- Seasonal cocktails
- Non-alcoholic options
- Sharing plates
- Open Tuesday to Sunday
Why we recommend it
Obscura is a cocktail bar and eatery in Oxford Parks, the newer development on Oxford Road in Rosebank, and its stated mission is to be different. It is run by mixologist and co-owner George Hunter, one of the familiar names on the city's cocktail scene, and it has a speakeasy-style feel with an emphasis on creative drinks.
The cocktail list includes contemporary takes on classics, such as a clarified piña colada, alongside signature drinks that change with the seasons. It also takes non-alcoholic drinks seriously, which makes it a good choice for mixed groups where not everyone is drinking. The food is designed as tapas-style small plates to share, covering bar snacks, meat dishes, salads and desserts, with South African touches in dishes such as Cape Malay charred broccoli and a banoffee tartlet made with umqombothi, a traditional sorghum beer. Ordering a few plates turns an evening of drinks into a relaxed dinner.
Obscura suits couples, friends meeting after work and visitors who want a sophisticated drink in a convenient, safe part of the city. It works well both for a full evening and for a single drink before or after dinner elsewhere in Rosebank. Prices are at the upper end of the bar scene, in line with the quality of the drinks.
The bar is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 to midnight, and is closed on Mondays. Weekend evenings are the busiest time, so contact the bar ahead if you are a group or want to be sure of a table.
Non-drinkers are well looked after here. Oxford Parks has several restaurants and bars close together, so it is easy to combine Obscura with dinner nearby. If you only have time for one drink, ask for the current signature cocktail of the season.
Oxford Parks is a short drive or ride from Rosebank's Gautrain station and the Keyes Art Mile, and it is close to the hotels of Rosebank and Melrose. Sin + Tax, another of the city's best-known cocktail bars, is nearby if you want to make a night of it. Use a ride-hailing app to get home afterwards rather than driving.
Obscura Cocktail Bar and Eatery FAQs
When is Obscura open?
Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 to midnight. Closed on Mondays.
Where is it?
In Oxford Parks at 199 Oxford Road, Rosebank.
Who runs it?
Mixologist and co-owner George Hunter.
What kind of cocktails are served?
Contemporary takes on classics and seasonal signature drinks.
Are there non-alcoholic drinks?
Yes, the bar has good non-alcoholic options.
Is there food?
Yes, tapas-style sharing plates including bar snacks, meat dishes, salads and desserts.
How do I contact the bar?
By phone on +27 10 500 7573.
What is nearby?
Sin + Tax and the Keyes Art Mile are a short ride away.