Zebra Crossing

There are some places in Hermanus that are iconic; many historic buildings that stand proud testament to a rich coastal lineage that reflects our nation's tenacity and will to persevere. Most of them now are either revamped shopping malls, luxury accommodation or some or other débutante paraphernalia. So let's look a littler nearer on the time-line shall we?

Zebra Crossing feels to me like one of the cornerstones of the Hermanus CBD; probably because it is on a corner. It is strikingly familiar, but as any persistent rashes will inform you, familiar does not guarantee good. However this place has as much common with a rash as a thistle has with the Hadron Collider. This is easily on my top three places to have a beer in Hermanus. I would say it's the best, but then they would be honour-bound to give me free beer and that's always dangerous.

I have regularly met interesting and open people there. Why would that be? Well, my theory is, the music. Of all the places I have ever had a drink, this establishment has the finest playlist. This often separates the wheat from the douche-bags. My supporting hypothesis is the staff: You are greeted with a warm smile and a sincere gesture of friendship (well I am anyway, if you didn't then you might just have needed a shower). When you consider the research done by Location and Menu, it makes sense why they have been around for so long. Its right in the middle of town and if you wonder from one shop to the next you are almost certain to walk past it. They also have great food. Years ago they were the standard I measured all bangers and mash against. I went there last week, and they have only improved. The size of their bangers would make a lesser man blush. Most of the time you pile on the mash and vegetables onto a tiny slices of banger just so you can have a bit of meat with each mouthful. This time the mash was lucky to get a role as a back-up flavour. It was incredible. In fact, I am going there again today, even though I can't really afford to. Its not that their food is expensive; it's just that I am a bit broke right now and the petrol price is eyeing me like the new kid on the cell block. Things could get hairy.

I love Zebra Crossing. If you are ever in town and after buying a whole bunch of useless trinkets for family members back home you consider going to the Wimpy to rest your weary wallet; stop. Then turn around and go to Zebra Crossing. If not, Gordon Ramsay will insult your children and throw a Michelin star at your throat. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Bojangles

Above Zebra Crossing, in the centre of Hermanus, one will find the club Bojangles. This venue has passed through many owners and just as many names. I am not certain as how to even classify its current incarnation: I am not sure it strictly falls into the Meat Market category; though it does play the regular meat market music with a touch of trance every now and then. Its is reminiscent of Mordor; or Rome, in that most roads seem to lead to it. This may be because it stays open until 4am, so when all else has closed and you don't want to go to bed just quite yet, then that is where you go.

The clientèle is diverse. I wish that was was a subtle way of saying something else; it would have made the statement a lot funnier. As a result I struggle to pinpoint the exact reason why the various people have come this particular bar to engage in inebriated revelry. The again, I am not to sure why I tend to walk up the stairs instead of past the doorway. According to Bar Theory there are many reasons why people come to bars. They include, but are not limited to: booze, sex, drugs, entertainment, sports events, familiarity, social interactions, escapism, love, loneliness or even boredom. Hell, any of the aforementioned could explain why people come here. I think reason falls under the umbrella of curiosity. 

I do have mixed feelings about the place. It is not my usual haunt, nor does it resemble it. But the staff are friendly and after two visits they make you feel like a regular; which is always good. Nor is it a bad place to come and have fun. You are bound to meet some interesting people -- that is if you are brave enough to strike up a conversation with people you don't know from soap-on-a-rope.

The owner of Bojangles also owns Jax, which I have mentioned before -- a place I keep finding myself drawn to, possibly out of nostalgia. Bonjangles, from what I gather from the locals, has done well in integrating itself into the Hermanus culture (or sub-cultures, I am not to sure). It also allows for rather random encounters. I will admit, due to Hermanus; like most costal towns, being a rather cliquey place, it can be hard to break into a social group if you are on your own. Despite this people can be rather overwhelmingly friendly. A well-meaning gesture of greeting left me with a cracked rib. I wish that was a joke.