Glenfiddich’s new Braamfontein pop-up bar is beautiful, exclusive and a lot of fun
Every aspect of The Glenfiddich Independent Bar is designed to make you feel special. From exclusive invites, to personalised cocktails and ample staff ready to cater to your every need, an evening in this new pop-up bar is the ultimate in luxurious drinking.
As the world’s most awarded single malt whisky, it’s not surprising that Glenfiddich’s purpose-built pop-up bar would be nothing short of award-winning. Guests are required to request an invite online, which involves entering your name, date of birth and contact details. From there, your request is carefully considered and your invite is sent to you, along with details like dress code (semi-formal) and parking. Situated in the heart of Braamfontein, the bar’s elegance and class pair perfectly with the vibe of one of the city’s busiest and trendiest neighbourhoods.
Experiences at The Glenfiddich Independent Bar are carefully considered sensory adventures. Using biometric voice-tracking technology in a way that has never been done before, guests are asked to speak into a microphone upon arrival, which then creates a signature recipe for a customised cocktail to suit their tastes. Walking down the brick stairwell into the speakeasy-reminiscent bar underground, you step into a whole new world: clean white surfaces are replaced with rich surroundings of brass, leather and wood. Take a seat at the bar, pull up a chair at one of the specially designed tables, or book a booth for a more comfortable experience. Separated into different sections by opulent sheer curtains, credit for the bar’s decor goes to Aparna Ramani and Taryn Kallie of interior design firm Design Republic, who manage to make the space feel intimate and personal – an aspect that’s helped by the 50-person nightly guest list limit.
Run by the team from Molecular Bars, the bar is the unsurprising star of the show. Once you’ve finished your welcome cocktail, you can peruse the menu of single malt Glenfiddich whiskies, signature cocktails, and tapas, and there really is something for everyone. From a R30 tot of the 12-year-old, to a R590 shot for the famous 26-year-old, you can pick your whisky, and drink it too.
The Glenfiddich Independent Bar is open Thursday to Saturday by invitation only.
Glenfiddich Independent Bar
www.glenfiddich.com/za/independent-bar
Words: Lucy Sarah Heaney | Images: Supplied
