Steam punk bar opens in Melville

by | Sep 28, 2015 | Lifestyle, News

A brand new steam punk bar opened in Melville this past week to a raging success, but what do they have to offer?

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Kicking it punk style: The brand new bar at The Countess oozes steam punk. Photo: Sam Slabbert.

This past weekend saw a new hot spot opening in Melville, oozing a fresh steam punk style.

The Countess situated in 27 boxes opened to a very successful weekend sporting a steel and copper look that gave it a trendy vibe. Head bar tender Julian Short said they want to introduce something different and unique to Melville. “We want to introduce incredibly wholesome food that people will remember and drinks that are engaging and different to what everybody else is doing.”

He said they chose the steam punk style “because copper and brass are sexy”.

The bar offers a short and sweet Cocktail list, as well as a DIY Cocktail section created “in order to educate the customer about what cocktails are and how to drink them” said short.

Food prices range from R35 -R170 and drinks range from R16 – R80. This bar offers something for everyone, serving American style smokehouse foods, cocktails from every corner of the globe, and has a sandwich and coffee bar.

Short said they chose 27 boxes because it “is an amazing centre filled with forward thinking creatives. It has an amazing energy and we feel as though we fit right in here.”

“We have something for everybody here. Our target market is anybody with an open mind who is looking for good food and drink.”

27 Boxes not without opposition

by | Jul 9, 2015 | News

Unlike any other shopping centre, 27 Boxes, made entirely from shipping containers, opened last week in Melville, Johannesburg. The “mini mall” as some residents call it, has established itself as a space for smaller businesses that specialise in crafts, boutique stores and unique food outlets. The development while supported by some residents, faced resistance from several others. 

It is unlike any other shopping centre you have seen. In what used to be a hundred-year-old park, 80 shipping containers now stand three storeys tall. Melville’s latest shopping development, 27 Boxes, right around the corner from the famous 7th Street, opened last week and has established itself as a family-friendly, crafty space.

Developer of the centre, Arthur Blake, is also the managing developer of Citiq, a property management company. He said he decided to use the vacant land to draw people into Melville, a suburb he described as “arty”.

Some residents were very unhappy about the development and raised concerns such as crime, litter and noise, while others were enthusiastic and happy about the increased business in the area.

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