Review: Play at Height

Have you ever driven along Witkoppen Road in Fourways and seen the large black crane-like structure by Pineslopes shopping centre? It’s not a crane. It’s far more exciting than that.

Adrenaline experiences and happening nightspots aren’t words frequently associated with Jo’burg’s suburban Fourways area. However, Play at Height and the associated Adrenaline Cafe provide both. The ‘crane’ is in fact a purpose built bungee tower with a Sky Bar at the top which, just to avoid any shadow of doubt, is a bar situated over 50 metres in the sky.

Play at Height is the brainchild of Nico Myburgh, who also owns and manages the Orlando Towers Vertical Adventure Centre in Soweto. The Fourways venue opened in May 2015 and currently offers three exciting activities. There is abseiling and rock climbing for the brave, and then there’s bungee jumping for the very bravest.

Although there are a number of frightening endeavours to pursue, some of you may be happy to know that there is absolutely no pressure to be a daredevil while visiting. You can simply sit in the Sky Bar and enjoy a soft drink, or not so soft drink, while you take in the view.

The 360 panoramic view encompasses the Magaliesburg Mountains to the North, Northcliff Ridge to the Southwest, the back of Montecasino directly South and the spanking new Mall of Africa to the East. The best time to enjoy the view has to be at sunset. In the summer months you’d need to aim for around 7pm to 7.30pm and in the winter probably 5.30pm to 6pm.

The bar has a maximum capacity of 40 people (so it’s best to give them a quick call in advance, just in case it’s booked for a corporate event).

Play at Height is a popular activity for bachelor parties, and so it’s not unusual to see a groom-to-be reluctantly hurling himself off the top in a pink tutu while his mates heckle from ground level. You might even see a comedy inflatable sheep float by.

If heights are absolutely not your thing and you’d prefer to keep your feet on the ground or you just want a ringside seat to enjoy a drink while your friend bungee jumps from above, you can grab a seat at the tiny Savannah Bar roof terrace above the reception area.

There is a DJ onsite every Saturday afternoon and whenever you’re done with heights and adrenaline, you can head over to the Adrenaline Café located just opposite. It’s part of the same enterprise and boasts good food and drinks until dawn (well, until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays).

Since opening, Play at Height has rolled out various promotions including a daily happy hour from 5-6pm in the Sky Bar. Going forward, there are plans to add a ‘water touch’ area at the bottom of the bungee. The idea is that you try and touch the water, (I was assured that no dunking or submersion will be involved). Unlike last year, Play at Height is planning to be fully open on New Years Eve, booking activities in advance would be advisable.

So, there is plenty going on at Play at Height and I have very high hopes that Mr Myburgh has other grand plans in the works for the future.

Customer Safety is paramount at Play at Height. Please note:

No under 10’s are allowed anywhere near the viewing platform and you must be over 18 to indulge in the delights of the Sky Bar.

The activities on offer are not advisable if you have any serious medical conditions or are pregnant. You must weigh at least 35kg to jump, and not more than 110kg. There’s no point fibbing about your weight, because they will check it to make sure you use the correct bungee cord.

Drinking and jumping is discouraged and Play at Height operates discretionary breathalyser test policy for activity participants.

Visit www.playatheight.co.za for current opening times and pricing.