Like any busy city, Joburg has its own rhythm and some days are a lot busier than others. Culturally speaking, not much happens on Mondays and many museums, bars and restaurants are closed. Art exhibition openings are generally held on Thursday nights or Saturday mornings. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are when bars and restaurants are busiest, especially during the first and last weekends of the month – visit neighbourhoods like Braamfontein, Maboneng, Melville or Rosebank for the widest choice of nightlife. On Saturdays and Sundays food and craft markets are among the most popular afternoon hangouts, and if you plan to head to a restaurant on a Friday or Saturday night, best make a reservation.

For our ultimate guide to the week's coolest new events, plus all the latest local cultural news and to read our most recent restaurant and bar reviews, check out our weekly Thursday morning What's On in Joburg newsletter online or sign up to subscribe.