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Tucked discreetly between the fourth and fifth floors of Hyde Johannesburg, Nine Lives is the kind of venue that comes alive after the city goes to sleep. A new hidden speakeasy and supper club, Nine Lives invites guests into a moody, intimate world where 1970s-inspired drink culture meets modern culinary craft. Designed for lingering late into the night, it’s an after-dark destination that feels like you’re stepping into your ninth life.
"He streets whilst everyone sleeps getting bigger and sleeker and wider and brighter. We bite and scratch and scream all night let's go and throw all the songs we know."
Part of Nine Lives’ allure lies in its secrecy. Accessed quietly within Hyde Johannesburg Hotel (formally the old The Bank building), the journey to the space immediately sets the tone and atmosphere of what’sto come. You feel as though you’re stepping into something only a few know about, and it is a privilege to discover it. The sense of anticipation builds before you even reach the door.
We walked into Hyde Johannesburg and saw a sign for “Nine Lives”. The hostess calls an elevator – only the far-left lift will work. As you step inside, a button is illuminated with the Nine Lives logo, situated in red between the fourth and fifth floor buttons. We start our ascend and when the doors open, it is to a service level floor. Lights guide you to walk down a corridor, cats peek out at you from within the walls, and you eventually pull back a curtain to reveal what the fuss is all about.
Nine Lives draws inspiration from the glamour of 1970s drink-and-dine culture, reimagined for a contemporary 2020s audience. The atmosphere is layered with intimate lighting, plush seating, and hidden corners that invite whispered conversation. It’s a space designed to feel both seductive and welcoming — perfect for date nights, celebratory evenings, or unhurried gatherings with friends.
We were seated in one of the first booth tables that allowed us an uninterrupted view of the glittering bar, the murals on the walls, and the lounging area leading to the non-smoking area and bathrooms. The lighting was dark and moody, making us forget that a world existed beyond the walls. The mood and ambience remained mysterious yet inviting throughout the evening. Soft music drifted through the overhead speakers, which gradually got louder and more people joined the room. The General Manager of Nine Lives, William, let us in on an insider tip – the music should always be just slightly louder than our voices, so as the conversation crescendos throughout the evening, so too does the melody. Once we eventually left the supper club, we found it to be storming outside – something we forgot could happen whilst living our ninth life.
This is not a rush-in, rush-out dining experience. At Nine Lives, dishes are carefully crafted using local ingredients, with a menu designed to complement the drinks rather than compete with them. The emphasis is on flavour exploration — encouraging guests to share, taste, and stay just a little longer – for one more drink and one more dessert.
It is true when they say dynamite comes in small packaging. This quaint supper club knows how to feed a belly. Chef Denim came out to give us some insight into his menu, and his philosophy is “anything goes”. Coal-fired cauliflower? Yes please. A fried cucumber? Of course. Prawn toast? Obviously. And those are just the small plates. The fruit of the matter lies in their Provisions section.
We each had a different favourite – this author’s was the Bourbon Chicken, which consisted of wood-fired debones chicken, glazed in a pineapple maple and bourbon jam, with a garlic ranch whip, fried leeks and mico corn ribs. The second in our party enjoyed the “udon” part of the Prawn Udon-don: sake-soy barbeque prawns in a cacio e pepe cream, udon noodles, pecorino cheese and chives. Lastly, rounding us out was the third man who particularly liked feasting on the Pork Chop Katsu: a fried pork chop (massive in size), with an apple and mustard puree, napa cabbage and daikon slaw on the side in a yellow curry sauce.
Whilst we shared all our meals and drinks, the menu does rather call for slow dining with intention. Portion sizes are big, so you can either opt for one main meal or multiple small plates to ensure your experience is well-rounded. The small tables aren’t sized for many plates meant for sharing at one time, so choose your combinations wisely.
Nine Lives’ drink collection is a thoughtful expression of craftsmanship and discovery. Celebrating rare finds, iconic labels, and carefully sourced spirits from around the world, the bar caters to both seasoned connoisseurs and curious explorers. Each pour is intentional, offering nuance, depth, and the opportunity to try something unexpected. The bar is impressive, perhaps not in size but in quality. With only four drafts on tap, four cider options, and one or two brands of each spirit, the Bar Manager, Martin, wants to focus on creations rather than common orders.
Of course, we had to sample some cocktails from their impressive drinks menu. All were divine interventions for the willing. Starting the night off, we sipped on a Clockwork Orange Martini and a Sweet Tommy. The former is a concoction of Skyy Vodka and Cointreu blended with toasted coffee bean and Madagascan vanilla. The latter is a creation of international bartender, Tommy, which consists of 1800 Blanco Tequila with a lime and golden agave nectar. Our designated driver enjoyed a Love Cats Mocktail: granadilla, fermented ginger, and berry cordial, topped with a basil and laniseed soda.
The most spectacular part of the bar, for us, was the intentioanl design of the bar counter. We know, it’s an odd thing to point out, but it is revolutionary. With a double-tired counter, there is ample space for drinks and plates, so you can easily have a bite to eat whilst still seated at the bar, something most places don’t cater to. The bar is also curved in such a way that a party of three can speak to each other easily, without one having to bend forward, another backwards, and another sideways. Simply genius.
What sets Nine Lives apart is its ability to feel like a true escape. It’s intimate without being insular, stylish without trying too hard, and indulgent without excess. The space encourages exploration — of flavours, conversation, and time itself — making it a rare kind of venue in Rosebank’s ever-evolving nightlife scene. However, we do suggest you come with ample pennies in your pouch, if you know what we mean.
Nine Lives is more than just a new opening — it’s a carefully curated experience designed for those who appreciate atmosphere, craftsmanship, and discovery. Hidden high above Rosebank, this speakeasy supper club is poised to become one of Johannesburg’s most talked-about after-dark destinations.
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