Behind closed doors at Hyde Rosebank, a supper club of seduction and serious flavour comes alive
There’s something deliciously intoxicating about a place you have to earn your way into. Nine Lives Supper Club, hidden between the fourth and fifth floors of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank, understands the power of mystery and leans into it with confidence. This is not a venue you simply wander into. You’re invited, escorted and let in.
The evening begins downstairs, where two impeccably poised concierge ladies guide you upstairs, away from the obvious and into the unknown. It feels almost conspiratorial being ushered into a secret that only a few are meant to know. Already, Nine Lives has you exactly where it wants you. Step inside and the mood shifts instantly. Low lighting, plush seating, shadowy corners and a sultry 1970s-inspired aesthetic wrap the room in intrigue. This is a space designed for after dark, where the outside world fades into irrelevance.
I was looked after for the evening by Charity, and what a gift she was. Charming, intuitive and deeply knowledgeable, she guided me through the menu with the ease of someone who genuinely loves what she does. In particular, her walkthrough of the cocktail menu felt less like a recitation and more like storytelling.
As you open the menu, it whispers. “We missed you… hissed the lovecats.” It’s playful, unexpected and perfectly aligned with the Nine Lives personality. The cocktails are divided into three chapters: Martinis, Kiss & Tell and Elegant Bastards. Each category feels like an invitation to reveal a different version of yourself. To begin, I chose the Beautiful, Dirty, Rich, which was a bold opening statement. Zubrowka Vodka layered with burnt Amarula cream and crowned with a velvet espresso foam. Rich, luxurious and unapologetically indulgent, it was dessert-adjacent but impeccably balanced. A slow-sipping, lean-back kind of cocktail.
My next drink leaned in a completely different direction. The Skabenga – Glenfiddich 12 paired with Amaretto, lime blossom and mellow tomato chilli jam. It challenged my expectations in the best possible way, earthy and slightly rebellious, with just enough sweetness and heat to keep things intriguing. Between courses, Charity invited me deeper into the mystery of Nine Lives, guiding me through hidden corners and shadowed spaces that revealed just how thoughtfully the venue has been designed.
Back at the table, I was joined by Martin Strobos, Group Bar Beverage Manager, whose presence added yet another layer to the evening. His cocktail creations are designed not just to impress, but to provoke curiosity, emotion and conversation. Midway through the evening, I was surprised at the table by Chef Marc Robert, Group Executive Chef at Colada Hospitality. Chatting with him and hearing his menu recommendations added a personal layer to the experience.
Before the small plates arrived, the kitchen sent out a generous surprise – Truffle Fries with truffle espuma. This little treat was crisp, golden and dangerously moreish. I then began with a small plate of Prawn Toast and it more than lived up to Chef’s promise. The prawn mousse was lifted by pickled onion, candied chilli oil, orange pepper and gochujang. Sweet, spicy, tangy and deeply savoury, it was one of those dishes that disappears far too quickly.
From the Provisions menu, the Smoked Short Rib was the undeniable star. Slow-cooked BBQ short rib arrived layered with confit tomato, avocado, pickled leeks, black garlic and mustard crème. Paired with a side of Beef Fat Chips, deliciously triple-fried and crispy. Dessert was non-negotiable and Charity insisted I trust her. In her words, it was very unique and she wasn’t wrong. The Matcha Namalaka arrived: soft matcha cream paired with bright mango sorbet, sesame crunch, coconut streusel, candied ginger and toasted coconut flakes. A thoughtful, unexpected close.
Just when I thought the night had reached its natural end, Charity tempted me into one final indulgence. The Part Time Lover, Monkey Shoulder Whisky topped with black raspberry soda and a squeeze of lime. The perfect nightcap.
Nine Lives is not just a venue, it’s a mood. It understands that dining after dark should feel a little dangerous, a little indulgent and entirely transportive. In the heart of Rosebank’s art deco energy, Nine Lives offers a quiet rebellion – a hidden world you can slip into, if only for the night.
And honestly, you’ll want to come back. Again and again.