It’s November in Johannesburg, and the city is awash in violet. From every hilltop, avenue, and skyline, the centuries old Jacaranda trees burst into bloom — their petals drifting down like confetti, carpeting the city in purple and gold. For those wanting to take in every Jacaranda-lined street from above, there is one option better than all other: head up to Alto234, Africa’s highest urban bar.
Perched on the 57th floor (234 meters up) of the fabulous The Leonardo in Sandton, the modern and minimalist Alto234 comes with both interior and outdoor seating, surrounded with absolutely breathtaking 360° views over Johannesburg and its surroundings.
Sky-high above it all, here you can raise a glass of Moët & Chandon champagne to the view — included in the R390 ticket to the top — and toast to the beauty of the moment. The experience is elevated even further by a menu of handcrafted tapas, curated by the award-winning chefs from Aurum Restaurant (on the 7th floor of the hotel), designed to pair perfectly with the season and the skyline.
To make sure you can take in every Jacaranda-lined street from above, Alto234 offers binoculars — so you can spot your favourite bloom-filled avenues from the clouds.
This year, the bar also served as the kick-off point for the Red Bus Jacaranda Tour, in collaboration with Johannesburg In Your Pocket, blending sky-high elegance with the city’s most vibrant tradition.
So, if champagne, tapas and sweeping sunset views of Joburg’s violet streets are calling to you, don't hesitate — the Jacarandas bloom for just a few short weeks, and their petals will soon give way to summer’s green. Now is the time to see Johannesburg at its most enchanting. Follow @alto234bar on Instagram and Facebook for news of the exclusive Jacaranda “Happy Hour”, offering a special reduced entrance fee during this unforgettable season in the sky.
Whether you’re a local seeing your city anew or a visitor chasing the perfect view, Alto234 is where Johannesburg’s purple season reaches new heights.
Hans has visited over 500 rooftop bars, 200 rooftop pools and 300 rooftop restaurants since 2015. This vast experience has made Hans a true rooftop expert, and one of the most knowledgeable in the field. Today, numerous of travel magazines, bloggers and media websites contact Hans to get his expertise on rooftops.
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