Things to Do in Irene

Cafe Barcelona is a dynamic live music and entertainment venue offering restaurant and pub facilities. For over 10 years Cafe Barcelona has supported the music scene embracing famous names as well as unknown bands. Some well-known perfomers include The Parlotones, Karen Zoid, Arno Carstens, Albert Frost, Valiant Swart, Fokofpolisiekar, 16 Stitch, Watershed, Louise Carver, Koos Kombuis, Jan Blohm, Jackhammer and many more.

The Irene Trading Post is more than just a shop – it's an experience! The store specializes in antiques, novelties, art, gifts and various pieces of locally made furniture. The owners only support small entrepreneurs, artists and crafters – offering visitors and the artists an opportunity to connect. Their unusual tea garden aims to inspire and revitalize everyone’s own creative juices. Delicious cakes and light lunches, all home cooked, are on offer. In winter the wood burning stoves are fired up and soups and homemade bread is available. Kids are welcome – the bunnies love being fed. Open 7 days a week from 09:00 – 17:00. www.irenetradingpost.co.za

The ultra-modern Netcare Pretoria East Hospital is a 358 bed facility offering patients the most technologically advanced medical and surgical services.The hospital is an internationally recognized Centre of Excellence in neuro-spinal, ortho-spinal and large joint replacement surgery.The expertise in this surgery has become recognized countrywide and many patients requiring hip, knee and shoulder joint replacement surgery are referred to Netcare Pretoria East Hospital. There is also an outstanding maternity unit with an atrium and skylights, allowing in natural light to enhance the peaceful atmosphere.

Woodlands Boulevard is an upmarket shopping, dining and lifestyle destination in the vibrant and trendy Pretoria East.Designed for convenience, Woodlands Boulevard offers the best in restaurants, lifestyle, fashion, furniture, jewellery, health and beauty as well as a 7 cinema complex, Movies@Woodlands.

Friendship, good food, wine and brilliant entertainment – the Barnyard Theatre in Menlyn is where it all comes together. The first Barnyard Theatre started as a homely, rustic farm theatre in Plettenberg Bay where friends and family could be entertained and eat, drink and talk into the small hours of the morning. It proved to be such a winner that more Barnyard Theatres started popping up all over the country. There are currently 12 Barnyard Theatres in South Africa. While each theatre is a product of its individual setting, they all retain the quaint rustic charm of the original farm theatre’s humble beginning.

Menlyn Park Shopping Centre offers over 300 stores, 37 restaurants and a wide variety of entertainment.All this in an upmarket area of Pretoria’s eastern suburbs makes it a popular shopping and entertainment spot for Tshwane dwellers.Conveniently situated, the centre is just a short distance from the N1 Highway and just five kilometres from the N4.Shoppers will find all the major chain stores under one roof including Hyperama, Woolworths, Truworths, Stuttafords, Foschini, Game and NuMetro.Ten features of this entertainment hotspot include an Imax Theatre, outdoor events arena, play park and the planet's first rooftop drive-in cinema, go-karts, 3D NuMetro Cinema, Festival Market, FLY Me helicopter rides, fufi-slides and quad bikes.

Brooklyn Mall is situated in the heart of the diplomatic area of Pretoria's affluent eastern suburbs. This dynamic centre provides an elegant shopping venue with more than 170 retail stores. Pleasing to the eye and spacious, shoppers are assured of a relaxed shopping experience as well as a tempting assortment of restaurants, entertainment, products, and speciality shops. Fashionistas will find all the International brand shops, elite designer boutiques and luxury specialty stores. Foodies will find a dazzling array of culinary delights and more than 23 top notch restaurants and coffee bars. Nine Ster-Kinekor cinemas and five Cinema Nouveau movie theatres provide the latest block-busters and acclaimed art films. Shoppers who are keen to get some sun and fresh air will enjoy a round of Adventure Golf in the lush gardens. Trading Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 18:00 Saturday 09:00 – 17:00 Sunday 09:00 – 14:00 Public Holidays 09:00 – 17:00

Much of South Africa’s architectural heritage goes far beyond broekie-lace and gables. The austere Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria pays homage to the gritty trekkers who deserted the Cape Colony in the mid 1800s. The entire 62-metre high structure is loaded with symbolism, from the assegai motif entrance, to the rippling patterns and friezes of the ‘Hall of Heroes’ and the 64 laager wagons surrounding the building. There’s even an opening in the dome roof that allows the sun’s rays to light up the cenotaph every year at 12 noon, 16 December. In essence, the monument functions as a giant sundial. Situated on top of Skanskop and within a nature reserve, the monument boasts lovely views of Pretoria. Shops, a restaurant, art gallery and various activities including horse rides are on offer.

The University of South Africa, or UNISA as it is commonly known, is a distance education university with the main campus and headquarters in Pretoria. You cannot miss the gigantic, mind-blowingly ugly buildings.With over 200 000 students enrolled, it is highly regarded and is one of the largest universities on the planet.Founded in 1873, UNISA was initially an examining agency for Oxford and Cambridge universities as well as something of a ‘mother ship’ to other establishing universities in South Africa. In 1946 it became a distance education university, offering certificate, diploma and degree courses up to doctoral level. It was able to remain interracial during the years of apartheid largely because it was a distance education university. Famous students and professors include:Nelson Mandela, former President of South AfricaDesmond Tutu, South African cleric and political activistRobert Mugabe, current president of ZimbabweAhmed Kathrada, South African politician and anti-apartheid activistTokyo Sexwale, South African businessman and former politician, anti-apartheid activist, and political prisonerWalter Battiss, South African abstract painter and creator of the quirky 'Fook Island' concept, UNISA Professor of Fine Art.

One of the largest indoor venues in Pretoria, the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria is host to a number of big live music concerts and exhibitions. The Main Arena has hosted popular events such as the Metro FM Awards Show, Godly Revolution Music Concert, Baba Indaba Expo and advert productions for Coke and Nestlé. A range of facilities offer versatility and seating for 80 to 4 500 people. Large events are supported by the VIP areas, holding rooms, theatre, board rooms, media room, rehearsal studio and other facilities. Well situated between Centurion and Pretoria, access to Heartfelt is convenient and there is ample on-site parking. +27 (0) 12 651 2251.

The University of Pretoria, fondly called ‘Tucs’ by students, is ranked as the leading research university in South Africa. Also one of the top three universities in the country, it draws a large number of new students every year, with 39 000 students enrolling in 2010.The university has six campuses and numerous operational sites such as the Pretoria Academic Hospital. The Hatfield campus has a beautiful setting and attractive historic buildings, making it one of the more striking universities in South Africa.Visitors usually make their way to the Ou Lettere building to view the amazing archaeological finds from Mapungubwe. Here you can see the gold rhinoceros, jewellery, figurines, pottery and other artefacts at least 700 years old.The Hatfield campus has contributed to the reputation of Hatfield as the most vibrant suburb of Pretoria with numerous trendy cafés, bars and restaurants.

One of South Africa’s top stadiums with a seating capacity for 50 000 people, Loftus Versfeld Stadium is situated in South Africa’s capital Pretoria (Tshwane). It was one of the 2010 FIFA World Cup venues, hosting five first-round matches and one second-round match. Home turf of the Premier Soccer League dynamos Mamelodi Sundowns, the Blue Bulls Currie Cup rugby team and the Bulls Super 12 rugby squad, it was also one of the primary venues for the 1995 Rugby World Cup. In addition to being one of South Africa’s premier sporting venues, Loftus Versfeld is also a thriving venue for big concerts. Tshwane, Pretoria, "Jacaranda City," ePitoli - this graceful city has enormous appeal, a fascinating history and is now a symbol of South Africa's true unity. It's an elegant, quiet city in complete contrast to its bustling neighbour, Johannesburg, which is just 50 kilomtres apart and less than an hour's drive away.

Situated in the heart of Pretoria is Duncan Yard, a distinctive boutique lifestyle centre and must-do lunch spot. Here visitors amble through quaint stores and eateries along cobbled stone walkways and castle turrets. The alfresco centre provides a unique shopping experience with over 15 restaurants and shops. Its picturesque location is reminiscent of a rustic Italian village and provides a refreshingly exotic experience. Renowned for the popular Papa’s Real Food restaurant and the Deli on Duncan’s delectable array of delicacies, Duncan Yard also features an enticing selection of stores offering boutique clothing, jewellery, indoor and outdoor décor, and carpet and florist services. Both the beauty and hair salon are idyllically situated for complete relaxation and pampering. Trading Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 Saturday 09:00 – 15:00 Sunday 10:00 – 14:00 Public Holidays 10:00 – 14:00 www.duncanyard.co.za +27 (0) 12 362 2224 / 4054

Situated in the heart of Pretoria, the South African State Theatre is much more than just a complex of theatres hosting world-class shows ranging from Opera, Ballet, Musical, Drama, Cabaret and Children's Theatre. Functioning as a receiving house this unusual, stylish, centrally situated venue can accommodate almost any performance, function or special event. It offers a variety of exciting venues for performances, conferences, festivals, product launches, fashion shows, film festivals, weddings, parties, matric dances and farewells, lunches and dinners.

Legends is Pretoria’s hottest gay nightclub. Not only does Legends boast the latest music on its large dancefloor and smaller second funky floor - complete with AV screens and projectors - but it also offers all the comforts and style of cutting-edge contemporary clubbing. And the finest in DJ talent ensures that you experience only the best house music. Legends is open every Saturday, Friday, Wednesday and Sunday night.

Pretoria has a complex and fascinating past. Initially the capital of the independent Boer republic of the Transvaal, it moved on to became one of the three capitals of South Africa and an international symbol of Apartheid.Then the turnabout came in 1994 with the jubilant inauguration of former President Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first democratically elected President. Suddenly the Union Buildings transformed from a symbol of white, supremacist domination to one of genuine unity in this beautiful and culturally rich city.The Union Buildings still form the official seat of South Africa's government and houses The Presidency as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs. Built at the loftiest point of South Africa's capital city, the elegant buildings preside like an ancient temple adorning and presiding over the city it governs. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker, the building was completed in 1913. Herbert Baker chose Meintjieskop for the site because it reminded him of the acropolises of Greece and Asia Minor. The overall design is influenced by the neo-classic architecture of the Italian Renaissance as well as Cape Dutch.

One of the top ten zoos in the world, The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa offers animal lovers a staggering 9 500 animals to view. Situated on 85 hectares in the heart of ‘Jacaranda City’, it’s the largest zoo in the country and is home to mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians alike. The spacious grounds house some rare species of antelope, white rhino, elephant, hippos, lions, cheetah, gorillas and even bats!Over 600 000 people visit the zoo every year, and there’s so much to see. It’s worth enquiring about what tours are on offer. You can hire a golf cart or take the Zoo Choo-Choo Tractor Train if you’re not up for the six kilometres of walkways. For a birds-eye view, take the cableway and ride above the zoo and on both sides of the Apies River.The largest inland marine aquarium in the country, The Aquarium and Reptile Park, also form part of the zoo facility. Kids will love watching the endangered Komodo dragon, ragged-tooth sharks and other weird and highly poisonous beasties.Dotted around the zoo are a number of picnic spots where you can relax under giant shade trees. Braai facilities are available at the picnic area on the banks of the Apies River. You can also opt for a sit down meal at the restaurant.Visiting hours:Open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Tickets are sold from 8:30 to 16:30 daily and the zoo closes at 17:30.

One of Africa’s largest conference, event and exhibition venues, Gallagher Convention Centre (GCC) is conveniently positioned in the rapidly developing investment hub of Gauteng. The dedication to a five star experience is evident from GCC’s facilities through to the service delivered by all levels. GCC security conforms to stringent international security standards and has experience in providing a location for secure events such as the Pan-African Parliament meetings. With five purpose-built single level exhibition venues offering 27 000 square meters of exhibition space, nineteen multipurpose venues and state of the art facilities, GCC also offers conveniently located parking facilities for 10 000 vehicles. Other features include 12 versatile conference and boardrooms, the Gallagher Grill which includes foyers and cocktail bars, a ballroom, an auditorium seating 414 and various tranquil venues for intimate celebrations. An internationally acclaimed team of chefs caters to every taste or cultural requirement, and the kitchens have also been certified by the National Independent Halaal Trust. Technical support services, on-site office requirements, state of the art equipment, video conferencing, satellite and interpretation facilities are available. Together with floral and décor services, GCC is equipped with the experience and expertise to ensure the success of any conference, exhibition or event. +27 (0)11 266 3000

If you’re an avid golfer visiting Pretoria, the Silver Lakes Golf Course challenges you to enjoy its championship layout. Designed by Peter Matkovich, it bears the trademark of his exclusive water design. The Silver Lakes Golf Academy offers you a complete range of golf-related services, regardless of your proficiency level, at a facility comparable to the best in the world. Other sporting activities at your disposal include tennis and squash. Silver Lakes Estate is justly proud of its indigenous vegetation and natural wetland. Game such as blesbuck, nyala, impala, duiker, kudu and zebra roam freely, inviting you to stroll along the demarcated nature trail. Or you could spend a leisurely hour or two atop the game-viewing platform. Numerous cycling trails traverse the reserve. In addition, the estate is a bird-lover’s paradise, more than 160 different species having been spotted here. When you’re ready to succumb to relaxation, the Fairways Restaurant offers a wide selection of tasty dishes, and is only a stone’s throw away from the Lodge.

You'll find more than awesome cocktails at this buzzy, trendy spot in Rivonia. The News Café is a high street café and cocktail bar offering a unique, relaxed and entertaining dining experience. It's also very popular as an Internet venue.