Morningside Whisky Bar Closure (And Future Relocation)

It is with a heavy heart that we share some unexpected and unfortunate news. After seven incredible years, our landlords at Morningside have decided not to renew our lease for the WhiskyBrother Bar. While their reasoning remains vague, we understand that they are planning a overhaul of our wing of the centre, and, unfortunately, we are collateral damage.

Since opening in 2017, WhiskyBrother Bar has been a cornerstone of Johannesburg’s whisky scene. More than just a place to enjoy a dram, it has been a hub for whisky lovers—no matter their experience—to gather, explore, and share their passion. Over the years, we’ve 1,000s of tastings tastings, introduced new and rare whiskies from around the world, and maintained a rotating selection of over 1,400 bottles (peaking at over 1,600) from more than 25 countries. We’ve had the honour of welcoming whisky luminaries from across the globe, launching dozens of products into the South African market, and even hosting virtual events with whisky producers dialing in from afar. The WhiskyBrother Bar has always been more than just a venue—it has been a community, and we are immensely grateful to everyone who has been a part of it.

What’s Next?

While this is undoubtedly a painful setback, we remain fully committed to reopening the bar in a new location. Whisky is at the core of what we do, and the bar is an essential part of that. We have already begun scouting potential venues, though securing, designing, and fitting out a new space will take time. If all goes smoothly, we aim to open WhiskyBrother Bar 2.0 by July.

In the meantime, our final day of trading at Morningside will be Sunday, 30th March. Until then, we invite you to join us for a last few rounds as we celebrate the incredible memories made over the years and toast to the future.

A Final Toast – Special Offers for March

Packing up the bar means dealing with a lot of whisky—bottles that will need to be packed, stored, and eventually unpacked in our future home. The less we have to move, the better—especially for bottles that are already running low. To make our transition a little easier (and a lot more enjoyable), we’re offering the following specials for the rest of the month on all drams ordered at the bar:

• 20% off all whiskies
• 30% off if the bottle is less than half full
• 40% off if the bottle is less than a quarter full

We’d love to share a few final drams with you before we say goodbye to this chapter. Join us, raise a glass, and help us give these bottles the send-off they deserve.

Thank you for your unwavering support over the years. We reiterate that this was not our decision, but we are determined to turn this setback into an opportunity for something even greater. We look forward to welcoming you back at WhiskyBrother Bar 2.0 as soon as we can.

Slàinte,
Marc and the WhiskyBrother Team