5 Best Sports Bars in Johannesburg (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Thorne Savarin, Culinary Explorer · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

Rugby weekends in Johannesburg fill up fast, and picking the wrong sports bar means standing at the back squinting at a screen you can't hear. The sports bars on this page have logged over 5,500 Google reviews combined, led by Hogshead Illovo and Grand Slam Sports Diner with more than 1,900 reviews apiece, so there's real crowd data behind who actually gets it right on game day.

Short answer: Hogshead Illovo in Illovo leads on review volume with 2,148 reviews at 4.3 stars, just ahead of Grand Slam Sports Diner in Edenvale (1,952 reviews, also 4.3). Expect to spend roughly R100 to R300 per person on food and drinks at most of the venues on this page.

Jump to a business

1. Hogshead Illovo
2. Grand Slam Sports Dine…
3. The Waverley Sports Cl…
4. The Kensington Club.
5. Ferns Sportsbar
Get listed

Johannesburg's sports bars, compared

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Hogshead Illovo	4.3 ★	2,148	Big-screen viewing, Illovo location	View ›
2	Grand Slam Sports Diner	4.3 ★	1,952	Rugby atmosphere, Edenvale	View ›
3	The Waverley Sports Club	4.2 ★	890	Community events, casual sport viewing	View ›
4	The Kensington Club.	4.3 ★	300	Kensington neighborhood spot	View ›
5	Ferns Sportsbar	4.1 ★	257	Live entertainment, Johannesburg South	View ›

5 Best Sports Bars in Johannesburg (2026)

Our picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Hogshead Illovo

4.32,148 Google reviews

Hogshead Illovo is part of a small Gauteng chain of craft-beer and smokehouse pubs, serving pub classics, home-ground beef burgers, and slow-smoked barbecue alongside a rotating craft beer selection. The Illovo branch has both indoor and outdoor seating with a dedicated smoking area, and reviewers describe big TV screens set up for game days. It's the most-reviewed sports-focused venue on this page.

What people praise

Big TV screens and a lively game-day atmosphere reviewers keep coming back for
Reviewers single out the burgers and slow-smoked meat as standouts
Ample on-site parking, including a paid lot
Both indoor and outdoor seating options

Worth knowing

Several reviewers note the noise level makes conversation difficult during busy matches
A few describe slower or inconsistent service on quieter visits

Reputation scorecardrank in Johannesburg

Rating4.3 / 5

Review volume2,148 · 97th

Confidencehigh

Recency8 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown50% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The deepest review history on this page and a genuine pub-and-screens setup. If you want a big-game atmosphere with a proper kitchen behind it, this is the safe first call.

Website +27112680871 Directions

10 Illovo Muse, 198 Oxford Rd, Illovo, Johannesburg, 2196

#2🕑 Open 7 days

Grand Slam Sports Diner

4.31,952 Google reviews

Grand Slam Sports Diner has operated in Edenvale since 1995, built specifically around live sport with multiple large screens and a menu that leans into game-day dining alongside a stocked wine cellar. Reviewers consistently mention watching rugby test matches there, and the venue also hosts private functions and corporate events.

What people praise

Reviewers repeatedly describe the game-day atmosphere as unmatched, especially for rugby
Long-running venue with decades of local reputation
Generous portions at reasonable prices, per several reviews
A newer coffee and cake section added alongside the main menu

Worth knowing

One reviewer reported a slow food order and a hygiene issue on an otherwise quiet visit
A couple of reviewers mention drinks pricing runs a bit higher than the food

Reputation scorecardrank in Johannesburg

Rating4.3 / 5

Review volume1,952 · 92th

Confidencehigh

Recency4 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown55% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Nearly matches Hogshead on review volume and edges it slightly on how often reviewers specifically praise the sport-watching experience. A strong pick if rugby is the priority.

Website +27114543700 Directions

Cnr Elm &, Sycamore Dr, Dowerglen, Edenvale, 1610

#3🕑 Open 7 days

The Waverley Sports Club

4.2890 Google reviews

The Waverley Sports Club is a long-running sports and social club with soccer pitches on site, doubling as a venue for markets, picnics, and private functions alongside its bar and restaurant. Reviewers describe it as a family-friendly spot that also draws crowds for community events unrelated to sport.

What people praise

Large outdoor grounds that work for family functions as well as sport
A coffee shop option on site for non-drinkers
Reviewers describe a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere
Hosts markets and community events beyond match days

Worth knowing

Parking area condition draws complaints, with potholes and uneven surface
No website listed, so hours and event details are best confirmed by phone

Reputation scorecardrank in Johannesburg

Rating4.2 / 5

Review volume890 · 87th

Confidencehigh

Recency3 months ago

Info completenessphone · hours

Rating breakdown52% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Less purely a sports bar than a broader sports and social club, which shows in reviews that are as much about markets and parties as about watching a match. Good for a family day out, less so if screens are your only priority.

+27832750002 Directions

126 Stirling St, Waverley, Johannesburg, 2190

#4🕑 Open 7 days

The Kensington Club.

4.3300 Google reviews

The Kensington Club is a neighborhood sports bar in Kensington that also runs a monthly classic motorcycle meet-up and a Saturday boot sale alongside its regular bar and kitchen service. It's a smaller, community-feel venue compared to the bigger names on this list.

What people praise

Reviewers highlight the steaks and full Portuguese chicken
A regular calendar of community events beyond match days
Described as secure and good value for money
Friendly, helpful staff mentioned across reviews

Worth knowing

Not a Google-claimed listing, so hours are worth confirming by phone
Smaller review base than the larger venues on this page

Reputation scorecardrank in Johannesburg

Rating4.3 / 5

Review volume300 · 82th

Confidencehigh

Recency3 months ago

Info completenessphone · hours

Rating breakdown54% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A neighborhood spot with a loyal local following rather than a big-screen destination. Worth it if you're in Kensington and want a lower-key game-day option.

+27116243137 Directions

8 Ivanhoe St, Kensington, Johannesburg, 2101

#5🕑 Open 7 days

Ferns Sportsbar

4.1257 Google reviews

Ferns Sportsbar is a Johannesburg South venue reviewers describe as a long-running neighborhood fixture, with live entertainment and a loyal customer base that includes people who've been coming for over 20 years. It functions as both a bar and a nightlife spot beyond just sport viewing.

What people praise

Long-time regulars describe consistently great atmosphere over two decades
Live entertainment mentioned as a draw alongside sport
Friendly, helpful staff called out by multiple reviewers
Free parking on site

Worth knowing

One reviewer flagged slow bar service during a busy night
Not a Google-claimed listing, so double-check current hours by phone

Reputation scorecardrank in Johannesburg

Rating4.1 / 5

Review volume257 · 76th

Confidencemoderate

Recency2 months ago

Info completenessphone · hours

Rating breakdown58% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The smallest review base here, but reviewers with decades of history at the venue speak to real staying power. A solid option if you want a bar with live entertainment as much as sport on screen.

+27114354985 Directions

75 Augusta Rd, Regents Park Estate, Johannesburg South, 2197

Your business here

Get listed on this page, in front of local customers already searching for you.

Claim this spot ›

How we score

Every number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown, not opinion. Rating is the venue’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many customers have rated them, measured against other Johannesburg sports bars. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.3 from over two thousand reviews carries more weight than the same score from a couple hundred. Recency reflects how recently customers are still leaving reviews. No venue can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a night out at a Johannesburg sports bar cost? (2026)

Reviewer-reported spending at these venues clusters in a fairly consistent band for food and drinks per person, based on the price-per-person figures customers themselves logged with their Google reviews:

Job	Typical price
Typical spend per person (food and drinks)	R 100 - R 300
Lighter visit (drinks or a snack only)	R 1 - R 50
Bigger night out	R 500+

Figures compiled July 2026 from price-per-person ranges customers logged directly on their Google reviews for the venues on this page. Actual spend depends on match-day specials and how much you order.

Serving Johannesburg’s northern and southern suburbs

The venues above span Illovo, Edenvale, Waverley, Kensington, and Johannesburg South, giving decent coverage north and south of the city center. Searching for a sports bar near me on match day? Every listing below shows a live phone number and address so you can check what’s closest before kickoff.

What to ask before you head to a sports bar on game day

Do they take reservations for big matches, or is it walk-in only?
What time should you arrive to get a seat with a clear screen view?
Do they show every channel a match might air on, including pay-per-view fixtures?
Is there a cover charge or minimum spend on major game days?
Is outdoor seating available if you’d rather avoid the noise inside?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these sports bars?

We started from every sports bar and pub in Johannesburg with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date, July 2026 on this page. We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Which of these venues is best for watching rugby specifically?

Grand Slam Sports Diner and Hogshead Illovo both get called out repeatedly by reviewers for their rugby-watching atmosphere and big screens.

How much should I expect to spend at a Johannesburg sports bar?

Most reviewers report spending R100 to R300 per person on food and drinks combined. See the cost table above for the full range.

The bottom line

Hogshead Illovo and Grand Slam Sports Diner are the two deepest, most consistently reviewed options for a proper game-day setup, while Waverley and Kensington suit a lower-key crowd. Book ahead or arrive early for a big match, since none of these fill up on a first-come basis once kickoff hits.

Best Drinks Bars And Pubs in other cities

More categories in Johannesburg

Own one of these businesses, or want to be here?

Claim your spot on this page: Basic listing $50 or Premium $100 for the top spot, held a full year. Both include a permanent link to your site.

Get listed See pricing