The March Hare in the Maboneng Precinct can officially call itself world-class! It was included in the World Class Best Bars in the World list, which includes bars from 53 countries plus two on the open seas.

Owners Domenico de Lorenzo, Dominic Walsh, Dino Batista and Alicia Butler met while working for a mobile bar company – and subsequently opened their own mobile bar company, Molecular Bars.

The bar at The March Hare. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

“We always wanted to open a bar,” says Domenico, who also competed in the bartender section of the World Class competition, “but could never decide on a venue that suited our personalities.” When they found the basement of the Museum of African Design with its maze-like layout, they were sold.

The cocktail menu changes every two months – so you never know what might await you. Past favourites have included The Hex of the Hare (R65) – a blend of coffee orgeat, grapefruit juice, pineapple purée, Ron Zacapa rum and a touch of a coconut tincture – all served up in a calabash, with a voodoo doll on the side. “The Hex of the Hare was just a fun idea we had to make people think there was a hex in The March Hare, and the only way to stop the hex was to drink the cocktail and keep the voodoo doll close at heart,” explains Domenico.

The Hex of the Hare cocktail at The March Hare. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

If you’re not up for hexes, try the SNVL (R60), containing Smarties and popcorn syrup, shaken with Bulleit Bourbon, lemon juice and white cacao liqueur. This drink, says Domenico is inspired by trips to the movies, when the owners would pour Smarties into their popcorn for the sweet and salty taste.

Yep, we’re fairly sure those World Class judges are on to something.

Find The March Hare in the basement of MOAD, 281 Commissioner Street, Maboneng Precinct.