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There’s a certain kind of afternoon that cities like New York, Cape Town — and now Johannesburg — do so well: it begins with a lunch date, continues with a bottle of bubbly (or two), and somehow drifts into golden hour without anyone noticing. The Greenhouse Restaurant & Bar in Sandton, long celebrated as Joburg’s most atmospheric supper club after dark, is now capturing that same magic by day.
And to celebrate the launch of its new daytime offering, we’re giving one lucky reader the chance to experience it firsthand with a Friendsmas Lunch for Four valued at R2,000!
Part of the Monseca Hospitality Group, The Greenhouse has always understood the Joburg social pulse — vibrant, stylish, effortlessly cool. Like its sister venue Ocaso in Rosebank, the space is designed around how people truly gather: with intention, with flair, and with a sense of unhurried indulgence.
As The Greenhouse marks its sixth birthday, it begins a fresh chapter: lunch service, now open from 12pm every Thursday to Saturday. This shift signals a broadened identity — still the city’s most enchanting supper club at night, but now equally compelling as a sunlit lunch destination.
Helming this evolution is Head Chef Leigh-Anne Knipe, whose credentials read like a greatest-hits list of South African fine dining: Restaurant Mosaic, Overture, Ethos, and Proud Mary. With her refined technique and intuitive feel for flavour, Knipe has created a menu built for leisurely afternoons — one that balances approachability with elegance.
“With our Shortmarket Club background, we know how to create beautiful food with flair, but the vibe here is more relaxed and welcoming that fine dining,” she says. “It’s important to have variety on your menu, whether it’s vegan, vegetarian, or meat, so there’s something for everyone.”
The new lunch offerings are tailored to the exact moment the sun hits the courtyard tiles. Highlights include:
It’s the kind of food meant to be shared, savoured, and paired with something delicious in your glass. Whether you need a spot for a laidback business lunch, a delightful girl’s day out, or a romantic rendezvous, your will be taken care of at Greenhouse.
Step into the courtyard and you’re met with a scene straight out of a Mediterranean daydream: rattan pendants swaying above lush foliage, curved sofas encouraging afternoon-long lounging, the light shifting gently across the space.
Inside, the signature Greenhouse aesthetic remains unmistakable — dark green velvet, abundant greenery, and those whimsical butterflies that float above the booths.
Signature drinks like the Henny Pot (Henny VS, Appletiser, elderflower, and lemon) and the vibrant G Pot (Tanqueray, Blue Curacao, pink tonic, and lemon) have already become afternoon staples.
By night, the venue returns to its original rhythm: the pop of champagne, the hum of a 180-seater supper club, and DJs guiding the mood with deep house, hip-hop, and feel-good beats.
Luke Dakers, one of the founders of the Monseca Group, says the goal is to show Joburg that Greenhouse has always been more than a nightlife landmark:
“Everyone knows Greenhouse is a beautiful space, but most people still see it as a popular nightlight destination. They don’t think of it as somewhere to come for afternoon drinks, a date, or a really good meal. What we’re trying to do now is shift that perception to show that it’s not just about the late-night scene, but the full experience.”
With lunch now running from noon until late, the invitation is simple: settle in for an hour or stay until sundown.
To celebrate The Greenhouse’s new daytime menu, we’re giving away a Friendsmas Lunch for Four. Think long-pour cocktails, beautiful plates, and the kind of afternoon that turns into a story.
How to enter:
1. Follow @hellolifestylemagazine and @thegreenhousejhb on Instagram and Facebook.
2. Complete the competition entry form below:
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South Africa’s arts scene is no stranger to bold storytelling, but every now and then, something comes along that shifts the conversation entirely. This April, Unmute Dance Theatre is doing exactly that — taking its powerful, inclusive performances from local stages to Europe, and back again, with a message that’s impossible to ignore.
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