SUIP!

Gentrification is a wonderful thing. Among the social upheaval of the past twenty years, South Africa’s cities haven’t exactly had the best time. Urban decay and mismanagement, coupled with middle class exoduses, left some of the country’s most historic suburbs to wrack and ruin. Modernist buildings fell apart in Berea; tenements in once-cosmopolitan Hillbrow became steadily more unsavory, and Woodstock became as chipped and worn as the famous “rustic” wooden frames now manufactured in its side streets.

But just like in other turbulent cities in the Western world, these areas are increasingly being given a new lease on life. Young professionals in creative fields seek out inexpensive and spacious studio space in old industrial complexes; developers buy up worthless lots and build apartment blocks next to West African superettes. They reappropriate the crumbling façades, give the old buildings a lick of paint and restore pride to a downtrodden area.

Then they charge you R50 for a sandwich.

But the new Woodstock Lounge in Roodebloem Road is an example of gentrification done right. Last year this place was a wreck: dark, grimy and, in co-owner Juliet Manderson’s words, “in serious need of TLC.” Juliet and her husband Paul bought the old lounge, which first opened its doors in 2004, in December last year and gave it a thorough makeover.

It takes its moniker seriously: everything here is sourced from Woodstock. Picture frames? Woodstock-made. Cutlery? Woodstock-sourced. Cushions and upholstery? Done in Woodstock. Renovations? The dude lives down the road. The pictures on the wall? Vignettes of the suburb past and present.

“We wanted a place for Woodstockers to go to and feel at home,” Juliet enthuses. “So, its all about Woodstock – which is why the pizzas have been named after the streets!”

The floors are original Oregon pine. The lounge is a spacious; the space comfortable and conducive to conversations within and between tables. Light streams in from the street from new high-lintilled windows. Old Beetles chug down off of the N2 down Roodebloem past the lounge. It’s a community restaurant; a place cautiously representative of an outer-City Bowl renaissance.

And the food? Pared-down, but still substantial. Tapas and pizzas from the reconditioned pizza oven are the go-tos, but they also offer burgers, salads and pasta. One might tentatively call it refined bar food, uncomplicated and ideal for sharing.

Unfortunately, the craft beer selection isn’t as good as next-door neighbours Jamaica Me Crazy – Banana Jam Café’s little brother – with only Jack Black Lager and Pale Ale on tap, but co-owner Paul assured me the Lounge will be better-stocked in the near future. “The demand’s certainly there,” he admitted with a half-smile.

As is the demand for pleasant, unpretentious community lounges, which the Woodstock Lounge undoubtedly – and adequately – addresses. With a distinct sense of place, it bridges the gentrified dichotomy of dive bar and trendy eatery. Roodebloem Road is coming alive again and, judging by how full Woodstock Lounge has been since it opened a fortnight ago, it looks to stay that way for quite some time.

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The Woodstock Lounge

70 Roodebloem Road, Woodstock

Phone 021 448 3338 for info and bookings