Joburg is a great city for sundowners with plenty of ridges, vast tree views, an impressive cityscape from up high, and vistas that surprisingly spread towards mountain ranges.

This is also a city with a wealth of tall buildings in the City Centre, Rosebank, Sandton and Waterfall in Midrand, from which to enjoy a sky-high view. The city is surrounded by at least a dozen different rocky ridges, some of them topped with mansions and others declared as nature reserves, so you are spoilt for choice when it comes to interesting vantage points to enjoy a different perspective. 

The spring blooms of jacaranda season (usually in October and November) make the views all the more special as Joburg's vast urban forest is liberally sprinkled with pops of purple from thousands of blooming jacaranda trees. On that note, read our article on where to find the best jacaranda views and streets in Joburg and Pretoria .

Now is the perfect time of year to order an ice-cold drink, find a table with a view and enjoy a memorable sunset at a rooftop restaurant or terrace. Here are our top picks to do just that.

ROOFTOP BARS

5101 AT PONTE

The view from Ponte, where Dlala Nje hosts sundowners
The unbeatable view from the 51st floor of Ponte at Dlala Nje's 5101 venue. Photo: Dlala Nje.
Where: Ponte City Apartments, entrance off Joe Slovo Dr (turn off at Abel Rd and Lily Ave), Berea.

ALTO234 BAR AT THE LEONARDO

Twilight at the glam Alto234 Bar at The Leonardo in Sandton Central. Photo: Alto234.

The Leonardo is Joburg’s newest love-it-or-loathe-it landmark, and the tallest building in Africa. Alto234 is its open-air sky bar sitting right at the very top. At a dizzying 234m, you can’t get higher than this. This is an exclusive spot offering unparalleled 360-degree views. It is said that on clear days you can see all the way to Pretoria and even the Magaliesberg mountains. Of course Moët & Chandon Champagne is the drink of choice and for a snack, there are gourmet nibbles like oysters, wagyu beef biltong or langoustines. Prior booking is essential and a R370 entrance fee applies (this includes a complimentary glass of Champagne). There are different time slots starting from 12:00 that you can book; book a visit online.
Where: The Leonardo, 75 Maude St, Sandton Central.

ISLAND BAR AT SOUTHERN SUN HYDE PARK

After a hard day's designer-label shopping spree at the upmarket Hyde Park Corner and a quick manicure or grooming at the beauty salon, Island Bar at Southern Sun Hyde Park is the pool-side way to end your day. With a glass of bubbles and Insta at the ready, take in the views across the leafy northern suburbs that stretch for many kilometres, then sink into a lounger at the intimate pool deck. Open daily.
Where: Southern Sun Hyde Park Hotel, 1st Rd, Hyde Park.

LIVING ROOM

Living Room in Maboneng is a little garden in the sky with a fantastic urban view, filled with exotic plants and trees snaking over the eco-friendly furniture, and boasts an organic menu to match. More of a café-bar than a late-night venue, Living Room is at its most happening on Saturday afternoons (and every now and then offers their 'Sundays in the Living Room' party) when the rooftop fills up for sundowners against a spectacular urban backdrop with DJs providing the soundtrack. Closed Mon – Tue. See more here. 
Where: 20 Kruger St, Maboneng. 

MARBLE AND MOMO KURO AT KEYES ART MILE

Sunset views at Momo Kuro at Keyes Art Mile. Photo: Momo Kuro.

The buzz of a busy 250-seater restaurant that generally requires reservations at the weekend provides that all-essential extra vibe (or 'viaaabe') as Joburgers say, at star chef David Higgs's live-fire grill restaurant, Marble, on the rooftop of Keyes Art Mile. Tables on the wraparound balcony are prime spots at sundowner hour and the whole space gives the impression of being suspended in a cabin in the sky. If you can't quite afford to dine with Joburg's high rollers, find the same views one floor up at the considerably more casual Asian street-food spot Momo Kuro (note they are unlicensed, so bring your own drinks).
Where: Keyes Art Mile, cnr Keyes, and Jellicoe Aves, Rosebank.

RADISSON RED ROOFTOP BAR & TERRACE

Sunset at Radisson RED Rosebank's rooftop bar. Photo: Radisson RED.
Radisson RED Rosebank is the second Radisson RED property to launch in Africa (with the first being at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront). The brand is known for its cool and creative aesthetic, designed to appeal to young and outgoing travellers and a signature feature is always the rooftop bar. This rooftop bar is the kind of spot that you will find hard to leave. On a summer weekend afternoon, it's all good tunes and cocktails as you nestle into comfy seating and watch the sun sink over the suburbs. You can see the great tree expanse of Joburg, your view uninterrupted and stretching all the way to Northcliff Ridge. It's exceptional. Open daily, 12:00 – 23:00.
Where: Radisson RED Rosebank, Oxford Parks, 4 Parks Blvd (entrance on Rosebank Rd), Rosebank.

ROOFTOP AT HALLMARK HOUSE

 
Hallmark House Rooftop
Views across the city from Hallmark House Rooftop. Photo: Johannesburg In Your Pocket.
 

The Rooftop at Hallmark House truly offers some of Joburg's most jaw-dropping city views. It's also a welcoming space with indoor and terrace seating, a lounge area, a wraparound bar, good food and drinks, and The Hallmark Gallery, which showcases the latest in African contemporary art. It's also undergone a recent renovation where industrial edge meets modern chic (the rooftop venue reopened for spring 2023). Open Mon – Thu from 16:00, Fri from 14:00, Sat – Sun from 12:00. Bookings are essential; book online here.