The Artivist and Untitled Basement

The Artivist and Untitled Basement share a building at 7 Reserve Street in Braamfontein, and together they make one of the most interesting places for an evening out in the inner city. Upstairs, The Artivist is a bar, eatery and gallery, with a new art exhibition every month hung on the mezzanine and in the main hall. Downstairs, Untitled Basement is a separate cocktail bar and events space that has become known as one of the go-to venues for live jazz in Johannesburg.

At The Artivist, the menu offers good food and cocktails in a stylish room surrounded by art, and the bartenders have a good reputation. It works for lunch, an early evening drink or dinner before a show. The changing exhibitions make every visit a little different, and it is an easy way to see work by contemporary artists without visiting a formal gallery.

Untitled Basement has an intimate, underground feel and hosts concerts and private events. Recent shows have included South African jazz groups such as The Offering, and tickets for concerts are usually sold online through Quicket. Some events are restricted to over-18s. Check the venue's social media pages for the current line-up, as concerts are announced on an event-by-event basis rather than on fixed nights.

The Artivist is usually open from 10:00 until 22:30, with shorter hours of 10:00 to 18:00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and it is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Prices are moderate. It suits couples, small groups and anyone who enjoys art, music and a creative crowd.

Exhibition openings at The Artivist are a good way to meet the city's creative community, and the monthly change of show means there is usually something new to see. For concerts downstairs, buy tickets in advance, as the basement room is small and popular nights can sell out.

Braamfontein is a lively neighbourhood next to Wits University. Kitchener's Carvery Bar and Hugh's Jazz Club are close by, and the Wits Art Museum, Origins Centre and Constitution Hill are all within a short distance for daytime sightseeing. In the evening, use a ride-hailing app to get to and from the venue rather than walking long distances, and keep valuables out of sight.