sin & taxes

where mystery & mixology meet.

late last evening with a few new found friends and at the recommendation of award winning mixologost maynard booyzen we found ourselves at sin+tax.

the name hints at what to expect but standing at thehiddenblack door, we had no idea of the adventure that lay inside. what followed was a feast of conversation with local bartenders from jozi and durban.

alex behind the bar stimulated our senses with incredible artisinal cocktails - the saffron saff off and crème brûlée threw us into a world of tastes only a place like this can offer.

sin+tax is a little on the pricey side but rightfully so. this is not your everyday drink spot. it's a speakeasy for the decerning drinker.

the menu changes with the season and current mixology trends. we enjoyed the current #tasseomancy high tea with elephants experience.

do yourself a favour and indulge in a night out you won't soon forget.

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i was so happy to come across suchhiddengem, until i decided to go back few times....at least i tried. the second time i had to queue - the place wasn't even full, my friends were not allowed though so i left and went to the always full but welcoming bar at collection, so did the couple waiting behind me for the same reasons. it was cold to wait for half an hour to go into a half empty bar. very disappointing.
the next time i tried i was told that i need to wait so they can check if there is enough place inside. there was one table and me and my friends - i ended only showing them the place as we no longer had time to order. shocking.
the third time - last night..again the same politics.
it is a bar. great concept, some of the cocktails reach over r150 surely they can apply less politics and be happier to see a vibey crowd... i did speak to management, every time there is a vague explanation. writing this review with the hope that this poor attitude changes, it would be sad for such cosy place to close down.

ahiddengem. booking ahead is absolutely essential. the drinks are expensive, especially if you are me and are a student, but it's absolutely worth it. the drinks are spectacular. definitely planning on going back there soon.

i loved the mystery of it from the outset. you’re greeted at thehiddendoor and then escorted to a space prepared especially for you. it’s a little on the pricey side, but worth it for the experience. a lot of attention is given to the finer detail. service was excellent. we met some amazing like minded people, who went to sin+tax for exactly that! what a super, fun night.

mixology at its best. thishiddengem of a bar is really ultra cool and has the most talented mixologists. loved the menu - the theme up until july is high tea with elephants with the cocktail menu offering styles and tastes of cocktails that are quirky, fun and very tasty.

this place fits the bill of ahiddengem. no signage outside. what a great place. some of the best cocktails i have ever had. very skilled barmen really made the evening. and a great pizza added the final aspect

this cozy little bar has to be one of the besthiddengems in joburg. it's in a very unsuspecting location, you enter thro a red door and then you enter what feels like an underground secret. their cocktails are unique, and julian made them with passion (and a bit of showing off😉)
but i luv'd it.

a very wellhiddengem in rosebank. the decor, lighting and entrance lend itself to the secrecy of sin and taxes. the vibe is good, cocktails interesting and delicious. always had a good time here and definitely will be going back!

rude, unpleasant experience!
catching on to the old tradition of amazing cities like new york and melbourne - ahiddenentrance and password one might expect to find a fun and pleasant experience. i am no stranger to these experiences throughout the world and when johannesburg- a city i have recently returned to was doing something just as edgy - i thought wow - and round up a bunch of my friends to try it out. it was highly unpleasant and the rude wanna be cool door lady and her protector were as pretentious and rude as the seedier mainstream clubs which people who value themselves don't frequent. remember the word pretentious comes from the word pretend. you don't have to pretend - you are. you have nothing to prove - you have done something cool - own it. but instead - your door girl played this down and let her little "power hungry access control" role get to her head instead - and then i realised all too quickly that johannesburg is in it's infancy - it's still pretending. it isn't yet new york or melbourne - it's still trying to prove its worthiness. and then i realised this bar was not my place. this was about ego, exclusivity, power, low vibration and just plain rudeness. if you really don't want to be the next fad - ensure that customer service is a top priority. people are fickle - the fad will fade - and you'll be left with nothing because you did not nurture your patrons, your regulars and those that truly believed in the beauty you were trying to create. and although i do - i will not subject myself to rude door ladies who don't. do yourself a favour and hire people at the door who are already assured deep down of just how awesome they are and treat others with the same respect. we are nothing until we learn how to treat each other.

best cocktail bar in jhb!!! if you are looking for a speakeasy bar that is similar tohiddenspeakeasy bars in europe then this is the place to go. amazing cocktails. perfect place for a date.

this "secret bar" is amazing! it's completelyhiddenaway down an alley through a door you would never think to enter (ask the coalition dudes to direct you). it's a mixology cocktail bar! each drink is a a taste sensation unlike any other. the service is phenomenal! i was seated and immediately brought a jug of ice water. the cocktails on the limited menu are themed (they change monthly i think) and i tried the no.9 from the travel themed menu which i highly recommend! a very strong smokey flavour which i absolutely loved! number 14 was also really tasty. the friendly waitress brought complimentary popcorn, twice :) i look forward to going back to try more! take a look at the menu to see the awesome variety. the lighting is nice and dimmed - the candles lit create a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. there are coaches and high tables. awesome place with a great energy!