THE call for invitation had come rather as a surprise. In fact, it was a pleasant surprise when Meli Morewane of Meli's Lounge extended the invite for the opening of the first Whisky and Cigar Bar in his pub.
Morewane has taken it upon himself to establish the first pub of its kind in Soweto. Cuddled just a stone's throw from Maponya Mall off the busy Chris Hani Road, once inside you feel the deceptive atmosphere of an up-market suburb.
And yet you are right in the heart of a township. Even the clientele is completely up-market in this joint. And inside the new bar, men are puffing on some expensive Cubans while enjoying some single malt.
Morewane used to run a nightclub in the vicinity for years before venturing into the exclusive lounging. And it's not only the fermented drinks that he is focusing on, there's also the African cuisine to go with it.
"If you want a place in Soweto where you can get the best whisky and wine this is the best place. That's how I am positioning this place and I am happy that distributors are coming to the party because they are buying into my vision," a proud Morewane sayswhen we sit down for a chat.
A peaceful aura hits you in the face as you walk into this intimate lounge. It can only accommodate 50 people at a go inside and outside. And for those who like fresh air, the outside is ideal which would allow you to turn your head every time a beautiful flower of the nation walks past.
Inside the exclusive bar the welcome drink is a double shot of Glenmorangie. The sitting arrangement is quite intimate in a stretching lounge suite where patrons sit facing each other which makes for engaging conversation with other patrons.
No beer drinkers are allowed in this place.
"Beer drinkers have their space in the main bar so the whisky bar will be strictly for whisky drinkers," Morewane declares.
The emphasis on firewater is evident on the bar with an impressive display of every blend you can find on the face of the earth. In fact if you don't ask, you might think beer is not served here.
"I just want to have a variety of whisky and wines. We have malts ranging from 10 to 30 years here. The response has been positive. I think people have been in need of a place like this one here.
"A place where you can just chill in a peaceful environment. Our clients are usually up-market people. Some come here for business meetings and get through the business over a glass of good whisky."
He couldn't have been right about this one.
Where you can get the best whisky, wine
THE call for invitation had come rather as a surprise. In fact, it was a pleasant surprise when Meli Morewane of Meli's Lounge extended the invite for the opening of the first Whisky and Cigar Bar in his pub.
Morewane has taken it upon himself to establish the first pub of its kind in Soweto. Cuddled just a stone's throw from Maponya Mall off the busy Chris Hani Road, once inside you feel the deceptive atmosphere of an up-market suburb.
And yet you are right in the heart of a township. Even the clientele is completely up-market in this joint. And inside the new bar, men are puffing on some expensive Cubans while enjoying some single malt.
Morewane used to run a nightclub in the vicinity for years before venturing into the exclusive lounging. And it's not only the fermented drinks that he is focusing on, there's also the African cuisine to go with it.
"If you want a place in Soweto where you can get the best whisky and wine this is the best place. That's how I am positioning this place and I am happy that distributors are coming to the party because they are buying into my vision," a proud Morewane sayswhen we sit down for a chat.
A peaceful aura hits you in the face as you walk into this intimate lounge. It can only accommodate 50 people at a go inside and outside. And for those who like fresh air, the outside is ideal which would allow you to turn your head every time a beautiful flower of the nation walks past.
Inside the exclusive bar the welcome drink is a double shot of Glenmorangie. The sitting arrangement is quite intimate in a stretching lounge suite where patrons sit facing each other which makes for engaging conversation with other patrons.
No beer drinkers are allowed in this place.
"Beer drinkers have their space in the main bar so the whisky bar will be strictly for whisky drinkers," Morewane declares.
The emphasis on firewater is evident on the bar with an impressive display of every blend you can find on the face of the earth. In fact if you don't ask, you might think beer is not served here.
"I just want to have a variety of whisky and wines. We have malts ranging from 10 to 30 years here. The response has been positive. I think people have been in need of a place like this one here.
"A place where you can just chill in a peaceful environment. Our clients are usually up-market people. Some come here for business meetings and get through the business over a glass of good whisky."
He couldn't have been right about this one.
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