A stroll through the horseshoe-shaped Station Drive precinct is euphoric. There is a range of colourful art installations, quirky stores and foodie experiences to lure in visitors. Similar to Maboneng in Gauteng and Long Street in Cape Town, the Station Drive precinct has transformed from an industrial area with many vacant buildings to a hub where creatives and young adults meet to share their ideas.
Clinton Moodley spent a day at Station Drive to see what visitors can do:
Have a beer at S43
Sean Roberts and Paul Tenhoornboer at a brewery tour at S43. Picture: Bongani Mbatha.
Craft beer experiences have started to grow in Durban, and one place to check out is S43. Co-owned by Sean Roberts and his partner Paul Tenhoornboer, S43 decor can be described as tropical meets industrial, showing off its original red brickwork and large green plants. Visitors can enjoy a brewery tour and tasting (R85) or indulge in their tapas selection (from R150). Call 031 303 2747 or visit www.station43.co.za
Gin and food pairing
Distillery 031 offers gin and food pairings. Picture: Bongani Mbatha.
Distillery 031 is Durban's first craft distillery. Founded by Andrew Rall in 2008, Distillery 031 offers tours and tastings every Saturday. The standard tasting menu at 12 pm offers a few of the distillery favourite. It can be paired with food (R270) or without (R170pp). The Full Tasting, at 2 pm, showcases their full range of spirits including D’ Urban Dry Gin,
D’ Urban Barrel Aged Gin and Agua Zulu Cachaça. It can be paired with food (R350) or without (R250). Call 087 941 4540 or visit www.distillery031.com
Go vintage clothing shopping
Amanda Jaffar of the Vintager. Picture: Bongani Mbatha.
The Vintager is home to sustainable vintage items and caters to people between the ages of 18-35. The shop sticks to the theme. Peculiar items, like the front half of a vintage car and antique chairs, hang as decorative items in the shop. Owner Amanda Jaffar said the origin of the piece of clothing will be shared with the new owner. Garments start from as little as R20. Visit www.thevintager.co.za
Discover antiques
Go back in time at Baraka Antique. Picture: Bongani Mbatha.
Baraka: from A-Z, a store that houses antiques from across the world, is a great place to escape back in time. Visitors can get lost in the hundreds of antique furniture and paintings from as far as Italy or France. Look out for the Mona Lisa replica, which owner Nico Scheepers refuses to sell. Call 084 807 3314.
Fuel up at Parkside Cafe
Khuthala Magugu and Audrey Palmer serve Andile Khumalo at Parkside Cafe. Picture: Bongani Mbatha.
Opened two and a half years ago, Parkside prides itself on serving good food at friendly prices. Some of the popular choices include the pavement special, which is scrambled eggs, feta on a ciabatta with greek tomatoes (R28) or a smoked salmon and avocado salad with crispy sun dried onions (R60). Call 0625018326.
Finish up with an ice cream
Edward Papaphotis of Momenti ice cream. Picture: Bongani Mbatha.
After a day of exploring, spoil yourself with some ice cream. Durban's first Gelateria, Momenti Artisan Gelato, has become a fan favourite since it opened in August last year. Founder and Gelatiere, Edward Papaphotis, said the popular choices were Golden Tumeric and Salted Caramel. A scoop starts from R35. Call 072 949 7263.
First Thursdays
First Thursdays, a concept started in London, takes place on the first Thursday of the month.
Starting at 6 pm, there are live entertainment, deejays, street art and late night shopping. The African Art Centre launches a different art exhibition every month.