If you thought that Sushi King Kenny Kunene and convicted robber William Mashobane were popping the most expensive champagne in the market, then think again.

Wealthy South Africans are drowning themselves in Ace of Spades Jeroboam bubbly which sets them back R73000 a bottle at Taboo nightclub in Sandton, Joburg.

The price of the bottle is higher than Kunene's favourite Louis Roederer Cristal Brut, which is sold for a mere R4000 at the same venue.

It is also more expensive than Dom Perignon, which Mashobane used to flaunt before he was sent to jail in 2012. Dom Perignon costs R5 700 at this popular nightclub.

The second-most expensive bubbly on offer at this trendy Sandton joint is the Ace of Spades Rose, which goes for R17600 a bottle.

The Taboo Group, which owns other bling nightclubs like Cocoon, VIP Room and Onyx Lounge, does not sell champagne by the glass.

"Champagne is definitely the drink of choice in all Taboo Group venues. The amount one will spend in one night can vary but ranges from a bottle or two on a table to even 100 bottles on a table.

"The average number is however, around four to six bottles of champagne per table per night," said the group's Blade Lane.

Online liquor store The Bottle Shop houses the Dom Perignon Vintage 2000 Blanc 3-litre at R20999.

Mondli Masubelele, founder of Kobose Limited and champagne expert, has sold a case of Louis Roederer Cristal Brut to a Durban businessman this year.

The case consisted of six bottles at R3 700.

"The champagne lifestyle has grown tremendously over the past five years, with Veuve Rich becoming the popular champagne in South Africa," said Masubelele.

According to him, Cape Town is the biggest champagne consumer in South Africa followed by Pretoria.

"In Pretoria, people spend from R50000 to R100000 a night on champagne, especially during weekends," he said.

"Champagne is the fastest growing category at Makro Liquor with 20% growth year to date," said Riekie de Jager of retailer Makro.