The Rockets group of venues has quickly become a major hotspot for fine dining and clubbing, with the Menlyn branch being no exception. Located at the top of the popular Times Square Casino, Rockets Menlyn is the choice venue for dining, drinking and dancing the night away, featuring a breathtaking rooftop view of the cityscape, high-class service and regular top-class entertainment. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s so hot about the new Rockets Menlyn
Founder, Sean Barber, opened the Rockets Menlyn venue in 2020 after hitting the ground running with a refined business model that was built upon the success of earlier branches such as Rockets Bryanston.
Since then, the space has survived incredible challenges such as the global pandemic and managed to emerge on the other side as a staple in Pretoria’s nightlife.
Four years on, the popular rooftop restaurant features an equally popular bar and has recently launched its own exclusive clubbing venue for those guests who like to keep the party going well into the early morning hours.
Elevated dining with a theatrical twist
The restaurant’s new menu has been carefully crafted with the expert guidance of Executive Chef Driaan, incorporating fusion meals with a wide mix of flavours and cultures that are brought imaginatively to life in a uniquely South African way.
The menu features everything from designer and traditional sushi to Neapolitan-style pizzas and signature meats. Fourteen of the restaurant’s dishes also include an immersive dining experience where theatre plays a huge part in how the dishes are presented, offering a feast for the eyes as well.
Drinks, platters and top-tier entertainment at Lolita’s Bar
Rockets is also home to the Lolita’s Bar, where guests can order any drink from a wide selection of bubbles, champagnes, cap classiques, white wines, rosés, red wines, as well as signature and classic cocktails.
The full food menu is not available at the bar, however, sushi platters, hot kitchen platters and oysters paired with bubbles can be purchased here. The bar has also been known to welcome some of the hottest DJ acts in the country, inviting the likes of Pearl Thusi, DJ Speedsta, DJ Maphorisa, KMAT, Dlala Thukzin, Snowdeep and more.
When: The restaurant and bar hours are Mondays to Wednesdays, 11am to midnight | Thursdays to Sundays, 11am to 2am
Where: Rockets at Times Square, 209 Aramist Ave, Menlyn, Pretoria
Keep the party going with a clubbing experience at Lolita’s Side Chick
Once guests have enjoyed themselves upstairs, they can take the party downstairs to the exclusive Lolita’s Side Chick for the ultimate after-hours clubbing experience. Side Chick is the newest addition to the Menlyn venue, situated in the venue formerly known as the Globe Bar, just one floor below Rockets.
Outfitted with new, sleek section sections, a bar stocked with all of your favourite drinks, a dancefloor and various talented DJs to set the perfect party mood, this is where Pretorians can go to, quite literally, party until the sun comes up.
Need to know before you go
No men under 24 nor women under 21 are allowed entry into the bar. The restaurant and bar have a strict dress code that prohibits vests and slops, and no shorts are allowed from 6pm.
When: Fridays and Saturdays from 12am to 5am
Where: Lolita’s Side Chick at Times Square, 209 Aramist Ave, Menlyn, Pretoria
Website: rocketslife.tv
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 012 003 6185 / 012 003 6186
Facebook: @RocketsMenlyn
Instagram: @rockets.menlyn
