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.

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 to promote the arts ecosystem in Soweto through the Eyethu precinct

Wine Bar & Wine Shop

Soweto’s first wine bar lounge pub — a landmark in South African urban wine culture. The venue offers an impressive selection of wines sourced from the Accolade Wines portfolio, with a wide range of varietals catering to both wine newcomers and connoisseurs.

Eyethu hosts popular wine tasting and pairing events as recurring offerings, establishing itself as a trendsetter in nightlife for the Soweto community and visitors alike.

Restaurant & Catering Services

The in-house restaurant features an experienced catering team providing food and beverage service for events, private functions, and walk-in guests. Catering is available for private, corporate, and government events of all scales, with full events team support.

Art Gallery

Eyethu features a dedicated art gallery space that serves as a platform for Soweto’s visual arts community. The gallery hosts regular art exhibitions featuring local and emerging artists, forming part of Eyethu’s broader commitment to the arts ecosystem in Soweto.

Conference Facility & Private Events

The conference facility accommodates workshops and meetings for private, corporate, and government clients. The flexible space is suitable for conferences, product launches, workshops, baby showers, and private events, all supported by the full catering and events team.

Events — A Full Calendar of Cultural Life

Eyethu Lifestyle Centre Soweto hosts a rich and diverse programme throughout the year:

• 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 and tastefully decorated interiors. Secure parking and visible police presence create a safe and welcoming environment for all guests. Open 11:00–24:00 daily, the venue serves as a full-day and evening destination.

Contact & Booking Information

• Address: 651 Tshabalala Street, Mofolo Central, Soweto, Gauteng, 1801
• Phone: +27 63 616 1038
• Email: ey*******************@***il.com
• Website: eyethulifestylecentre.africa
• Established: 2013 by Mandla Tshabalala & Mnikelo Mangciphu
• Hours: 11:00–24:00 daily
• Facebook: 100% recommend (468 reviews)

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Eyethu Lifestyle Centre Soweto?
A: Eyethu Lifestyle Centre Soweto is a premier wine bar, restaurant, art gallery, and conference venue located at 651 Tshabalala Street, Mofolo Central, Soweto. It was established in 2013 and holds the distinction of being Soweto’s first wine bar lounge pub. The venue is also a co-founding institution of the Soweto Wine Festival.

Q: What types of events can be hosted at Eyethu Lifestyle Centre?
A: The venue hosts concerts, wine festivals, art exhibitions, night markets, book fairs, conferences, corporate and government functions, product launches, and private celebrations including baby showers and parties. The flexible conference space and full catering team support events of all scales.

Q: What is the historical significance of the Eyethu name?
A: The Eyethu name originates from the iconic Eyethu Cinema built by Ephraim Tshabalala in 1969 as one of South Africa’s first Black-owned movie theatres, accommodating more than 1,000 people. His son Mandla Tshabalala established Eyethu Lifestyle Centre in 2013, continuing the family’s legacy. The site has been recognised as a significant heritage, cultural, and social landmark in Soweto.

Q: What are the operating hours at Eyethu Lifestyle Centre?
A: Eyethu Lifestyle Centre is open from 11:00 to 24:00 daily. This makes it a full-day and evening destination for dining, events, and nightlife in Soweto.

Q: Does Eyethu Lifestyle Centre offer wine tasting experiences?
A: Yes, the venue offers popular wine tasting and pairing events as recurring offerings. The wine selection is sourced from the Accolade Wines portfolio and caters to both wine newcomers and connoisseurs.

Q: Is parking available and is the venue safe?
A: Yes, Eyethu Lifestyle Centre provides secure parking with visible police presence. The venue has a 100% recommendation rate from 468 Facebook reviews and maintains a safe and welcoming environment for all guests.

Q: What catering services are available at Eyethu?
A: The in-house restaurant has an experienced catering team that provides food and beverage service for walk-in guests, private functions, and corporate events. Catering is available for private, corporate, and government events of all scales.

Q: Can the art gallery space be used for exhibitions?
A: Yes, Eyethu features a dedicated art gallery space that hosts regular art exhibitions. The gallery serves as a platform for local and emerging artists as part of the venue’s commitment to promoting Soweto’s arts ecosystem.

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