1Fox Johannesburg is one of South Africa’s most historically resonant, culturally vibrant, and creatively charged urban event precincts — a collection of restored 1890s Gold Rush warehouses at 1 Fox Street, Ferreirasdorp, Johannesburg, Gauteng, in the very oldest part of the city where Johannesburg itself was born. With 28,421 Facebook likes and 25,266 check-ins, the 1Fox precinct is home to the Fox Junction Event Venue, Mad Giant Brewery, The Good Luck Bar, Urbanologi, Ginologist, Little Fox Cocktail Bar, Just Teddy Bakery, Mrs T Potts, Reading Room, Living Artists Emporium, and The Sheds market — a remarkable convergence of events, craft brewing, dining, cocktails, live music, and culture under one iconic industrial roof.

A History Rooted in the Gold Rush

1Fox Johannesburg’s story is inseparable from the founding story of Johannesburg itself. Ferreirasdorp is the oldest part of Johannesburg — named after Colonel Ignatius Ferreira, the adventurer from the Cape Colony who acquired gold claims in the area. The first tent was erected in 1886, the year gold was discovered on the Witwatersrand.

In 1893, Hubert Davies and Co leased the land at 1 Fox Street from the Robinson Mining Company to establish their workshops and stores. Hubert Davies is credited with installing the first telephone on the goldfields. The Good Luck Bar takes its name from the 1890s drinking establishments that operated from this very location, serving local mineworkers and newly arrived fortune hunters alike.

Hubert Davies and Co left 1 Fox in the early 1960s, leaving behind a paint shop, makeshift office, and a safe. Restored and reopened in 2014 by new owners Sue Aerts and Jan Roode, the building’s interior was stripped back to showcase the old steel structure and celebrate the history of 1 Fox and Johannesburg. Today 1Fox Johannesburg stands as one of Joburg’s most beloved creative destinations.

Fox Junction Event Venue — 1,500m² of Transformable Space

The precinct’s flagship event venue is an extraordinary blank canvas. Fox Junction offers 1,500 square metres of open floor space in historic industrial warehouses with an urban industrial look and feel that allows you to transform the spaces into whatever creative concept you develop.

The venue features rigging points and technical staging infrastructure in place, and easily subdivides for smaller functions while retaining the grandeur of the full space. Fox Junction is suitable for conferences, cocktail functions, exhibitions, fashion shows, music events both large and small, banquets, car launches, and team building. If you are looking for a venue that will wow your guests, leaving them with a lasting impression, the venue’s charm and iconic character make it one of the most unique event venue spaces in Johannesburg.

Mad Giant Brewery — Craft Beer Brewed On-Site

One of Johannesburg’s most celebrated craft breweries operates right in the precinct. Mad Giant Brewery produces fresh craft beers brewed in-house in the historic warehouse setting. Head chef Jack Coetzee is somewhat of a mad scientist and an artist rolled into one, creating culinary experiences that complement the brewery’s artisan beers.

Urbanologi — Japanese Fusion Fine Dining

Inside the Mad Giant Brewery, Urbanologi is a restaurant that changed Johannesburg dining with its tapas-style Japanese fusion fine dining approach. The concept is fine dining without the fuss, with the culinary team working side by side with the brewery team, brainstorming and testing ideas in search of new flavours. Behind the scenes food and beer collaboration creates a unique dining experience that blends craft brewing culture with innovative cuisine.

The Good Luck Bar — Live Music & Craft Beer Hall

Named directly after the Gold Rush-era bars of the 1890s, The Good Luck Bar is a large-capacity live music venue and craft beer hall. Behind a pair of hulking triple-height doors bearing decades-old warnings of explosive dangers and dynamite, the entrance alone is unforgettable.

Inside, a long brick bar is illuminated by custom neon signs, dangling globe lights, and an impressive iron chandelier. Music ranges from dirty rock ‘n’ roll to hustling hip-hop, and the bar hosts a variety of parties — The Good Luck Bar is 1Fox’s nightlife heart.

More at 1Fox Johannesburg

The precinct is home to an impressive collection of artisan food, beverage, and cultural tenants. Ginologist is an on-site gin distillery operated by LPV Distillery, while Little Fox Cocktail Bar serves craft cocktails in the precinct. Just Teddy Bakery offers artisan baked goods, and Mrs T Potts provides tea and hospitality in an atmospheric setting.

Reading Room offers books in a unique warehouse environment, and Living Artists Emporium showcases curated art. The Sheds is a bi-monthly pop-up food market featuring diverse cuisines, adding to the precinct’s vibrant food and culture scene.

Location and Practical Details

1Fox Johannesburg is located at 1 Fox Street (also 14 Alexander Street), Ferreirasdorp, Johannesburg, Gauteng, in the City Centre. Ferreirasdorp is the oldest part of the city, offering a unique historic setting for events. The precinct provides ample secure parking on-site for guests and event attendees.

The Fox Junction Event Venue spans 1,500 square metres with rigging points, technical staging, and subdivisible spaces. The venue is ideal for conferences, cocktail functions, exhibitions, fashion shows, music events, banquets, car launches, and team building activities. For event venue enquiries and bookings, visit the official 1Fox website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How large is the Fox Junction Event Venue?
A: Fox Junction offers 1,500 square metres of open floor space. The venue features rigging points and technical staging infrastructure and can easily subdivide for smaller functions while retaining the grandeur of the full space.

Q: What types of events can be hosted at 1Fox Johannesburg?
A: The venue is suitable for conferences, cocktail functions, exhibitions, fashion shows, music events both large and small, banquets, car launches, and team building. The urban industrial space can be transformed to suit any creative concept.

Q: Where exactly is 1Fox Johannesburg located?
A: 1Fox is located at 1 Fox Street (also 14 Alexander Street), Ferreirasdorp, Johannesburg, Gauteng. Ferreirasdorp is the oldest part of Johannesburg, where the city itself was born during the 1886 Gold Rush.

Q: What food and beverage options are available at the precinct?
A: The precinct includes Mad Giant Brewery with on-site craft brewing, Urbanologi offering tapas-style Japanese fusion fine dining, The Good Luck Bar craft beer hall, Ginologist gin distillery, Little Fox Cocktail Bar, Just Teddy Bakery, and Mrs T Potts tea room. The Sheds bi-monthly pop-up market features diverse cuisines.

Q: Is parking available at 1Fox Johannesburg?
A: Yes, the precinct provides ample secure parking on-site for all guests and event attendees.

Q: What is the history of the 1Fox building?
A: The warehouses date to the 1890s Gold Rush era, with Hubert Davies and Co leasing the land in 1893 to establish workshops and stores. The building was restored and reopened in 2014 by Sue Aerts and Jan Roode, with the interior stripped back to showcase the original steel structure.

Q: Can the Fox Junction venue be customized for different event styles?
A: Yes, the venue has an urban industrial look and feel that allows you to transform the spaces into whatever creative concept you develop. The space includes rigging points and technical staging infrastructure to support various event setups.

Q: What makes The Good Luck Bar unique?
A: The Good Luck Bar is named after 1890s drinking establishments that served Gold Rush mineworkers from this location. The entrance features hulking triple-height doors with decades-old explosive warnings, and inside is illuminated by custom neon signs, dangling globe lights, and an impressive iron chandelier.

Explore more options in the Johannesburg event venues directory and Gauteng event venue listings.