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Whooping it up in Jozi

SOMETIMES, when the chilling-out bug strikes, the only cure is to grab your wallet and go. But where to? Here's a list of our favourite spots across Jozi...

I figure that Johannesburg is such a crazy city because of the entertainment, complete with venues to be hectic in or to just relax with friends and have a good time. Of course it has its irritations, such as badly behaved taxi drivers, bad service from overworked waiters and rude, loud club patrons.

Despite these imperfections, Joburg remains one of the most interesting cities in the world.

If you want a sumptuous meal with family and friends in a relaxed atmosphere, the Troyeville Hotel, near Ellis Park Stadium is the place to start. With a Portuguese theme the dishes are legendary.

Though in an economically deprived-looking area of Bertrams, people leave their posh northern suburb homes and joints to eat here.

And not far from here, on Main Street in central Johannesburg, is Arts on Main. Here you can rub shoulders with artists and filmmakers. This area has galleries and is bursting with energy.

The best time to go is on Sundays, when there is a flea market where people sell anything from organic food to typewriters.

And if you want another similar experience, look no further than Newtown, where you will find the Market Theatre, art galleries and popular eateries such as Nikki's Oasis and Sophiatown.

The place attracts a mixed crowd of the young and happening, trendy and brave. At Sophiatown you can listen to Afro-jazz tunes. Nikki's, like Sophiatown, also sometimes hosts live jazz bands.

Melville has oodles of energy and the right crowd - movers and shakers in academia, filming and theatre.

Another stunning place to hang out in for those with a discerning taste is Parkhurst. It has good restaurants and the right atmosphere.

If you want a cosmopolitan place that is partly township and urban - a bit rough, but with good places such as Ekhaya Restaurant, Kin Malebo Eatery, Kwa-Gumede (a popular Chesa Nyama) and Zebra Pond, which hosts hot DJs, Time Square in Yeoville is the place to be.

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