Eyethu Lifestyle Centre Soweto is one of Soweto’s most celebrated, culturally significant, and forward-thinking arts, entertainment, and events destinations — a premier wine bar, restaurant, art gallery, and conference venue at 651 Tshabalala Street, Mofolo Central, Soweto, Gauteng, 1801, established in 2013 by Soweto entrepreneur Mandla Tshabalala and co-owner Mnikelo Mangciphu. Eyethu Lifestyle Centre Soweto holds the distinction of being Soweto’s first wine bar lounge pub — and a co-founding institution of the beloved Soweto Wine Festival, now running for more than a decade.

Rooted in the extraordinary legacy of the Tshabalala family — whose patriarch Ephraim Tshabalala built the iconic Eyethu Cinema in 1969 as one of South Africa’s first Black-owned movie theatres — the Eyethu Lifestyle Centre is both a living cultural institution and a vibrant modern events venue, sitting at the heart of a community of more than 2.5 million people in one of the world’s most culturally iconic townships.

“Eyethu Lifestyle Centre is the home of the Arts Cultural Movement in Soweto.”

With a 100% recommendation rate from 468 Facebook reviews, secure parking with visible police presence, and a dedicated events and catering team — Eyethu Lifestyle Centre Soweto is the definitive cultural events destination in Soweto.

A Legacy of Firsts — The Tshabalala Family & Soweto’s Cultural Heritage

The Eyethu name carries profound historical weight in Soweto and the broader South African cultural landscape:

• 1969: Ephraim Batana Tshabalala builds the Eyethu Cinema — one of South Africa’s first Black-owned movie theatres, accommodating more than 1,000 people and serving as the premier entertainment venue for the Soweto community throughout the 1970s and 1980s
• The cinema closed in the 1990s and has since been recognised as a significant heritage, cultural, and social site
• 2013: Son Mandla Tshabalala establishes the Eyethu Lifestyle Centre — opening Soweto’s first wine shop and the township’s first wine bar lounge pub in the same precinct
• Mandla Tshabalala and Mnikelo Mangciphu co-found the Soweto Wine Festival — now running for more than a decade and one of South Africa’s most celebrated township food and wine events
• 2023: The Eyethu Shopping Centre opens on the same site (developer: Abland Property Developers), incorporating the preserved Eyethu Heritage Hall — showcasing artworks from the original Eyethu Theatre — as a community and cultural space
• The Tshabalala family’s vision continues: “Through Eyethu, the Tshabalala family is rebranding this cultural hub by establishing a precinct that will contribute towards the promotion of the arts ecosystem in Soweto”

What Eyethu Lifestyle Centre Offers

Wine Bar & Wine Shop

• Soweto’s first wine bar lounge pub — a landmark in South African urban wine culture
• Impressive selection of wines, sourced from the Accolade Wines portfolio
• Wide range of varietals catering to both wine newcomers and connoisseurs
• Wine tasting and pairing events — a popular recurring offering
• A “trendsetter in nightlife” for the Soweto community and visitors alike

Restaurant

• In-house restaurant with an experienced catering team
• Food and beverage service for events, private functions, and walk-in guests
• Catering for private, corporate, and government events of all scales

Art Gallery

• Dedicated art gallery space — a platform for Soweto’s visual arts community
• Regular art exhibitions featuring local and emerging artists
• Part of Eyethu’s broader commitment to the arts ecosystem in Soweto

Conference Facility

• Conference and workshop hosting for private, corporate, and government clients
• Flexible space for meetings, product launches, workshops, baby showers, and private events
• Full catering and events team support

Events — A Full Calendar of Cultural Life

Eyethu Lifestyle Centre Soweto hosts a rich and diverse programme:

• Concerts and live band performances — regular live music events
• Food and wine festivals — including the co-founded Soweto Wine Festival
• Wine tasting and pairing evenings
• Art exhibitions — local and emerging artists
• Night markets and social markets
• Book fairs — celebrating Soweto’s literary culture
• Private parties and celebrations
• Corporate and government functions
• Launches — product and brand events
• Baby showers, workshops, and private gatherings

The Setting — Heart of Mofolo Central, Soweto

Eyethu Lifestyle Centre Soweto is situated in the vibrant Mofolo Central neighbourhood — at the cultural and geographic heart of Soweto:

• Soweto is home to more than 2.5 million people and is internationally renowned for setting cultural trends and for its rich heritage
• The centre blends rich Soweto history with a modern, welcoming aesthetic
• Tastefully decorated interiors with an inviting atmosphere
• Secure parking and visible police presence — a safe and welcoming environment for all guests
• Open 11:00–24:00 — a full-day and evening destination

Practical Details

• Address: 651 Tshabalala Street, Mofolo Central, Soweto, Gauteng, 1801
• Phone: +27 63 616 1038
• Email: eyethulifestylecentre@gmail.com
• Website: eyethulifestylecentre.africa
• Established: 2013 (by Mandla Tshabalala & Mnikelo Mangciphu)
• Hours: 11:00–24:00
• Facebook: 100% recommend (468 reviews)
• Firsts: Soweto’s first wine bar lounge pub | co-founders of the Soweto Wine Festival
• Wine: Accolade Wines portfolio
• Facilities: Wine bar, restaurant, art gallery, conference room, secure parking
• Events: Concerts, wine festivals, art exhibitions, night markets, book fairs, conferences, private functions
• Best for: Wine tasting, live music evenings, Soweto cultural events, corporate and government functions, art exhibitions, private celebrations, Soweto Wine Festival, night markets, community events

For event bookings, venue hire, and wine enquiries, visit the official Eyethu Lifestyle Centre website or email eyethulifestylecentre@gmail.com.

Also explore other popular cultural and lifestyle venues in Soweto and Johannesburg or browse Gauteng arts and entertainment venues on Event Venues SA.