Great Dane’s secret past
JOBURG - If you've ever been to Braamfontein, chances are you've seen or heard of Great Dane – but we bet you didn't know anything about the bar's secretive past ...
Great Dane is the super trendy bar and gourmet hotdog hotspot that gets city slickers moving to the music each weekend – and we’ve got to tell you, those hotdogs are some of the biggest, longest and tastiest you’ll ever find in the city.
The bar is also known for their signature coin-tiled floor that makes for something great to look at and dance on.
Over the weekend, you can find the bar, which also has an urban-style outdoor courtyard for those who would rather sit and chat.
Those who now attend events at the venue are none the wiser about Great Dane, which only allowed visitors to enter the premises on the utterance of a secret password to the bouncers.
“I used to go to Great Dane back when you needed to know the secret password to enter,” said Wits postgraduate, Nadia Ismail.
Yes, that is correct – once upon a time, you did need to be given the secret password to party at the popular social hub.
According to Times Live who interviewed the owners of the bar when it opened in 2012, the password system was put in place not to make the hotspot elite or exclusive, but rather to maintain an intimate atmosphere.
The password was given to the DJs who then spread the word to their friends and fans who would gain free entry when using it.
Fortunately, that was not the only way to gain entry as those who did not have the password could enter on a payment of R20.
Today, Great Dane entrance is usually free unless it is an event night where patrons pay R50 – not too bad to have a great time.
Details: Great Dane Bar on Facebook
