In hospitality, a name is rarely accidental.
It’s a wink, a promise, a provocation – sometimes all three.
Before a guest tastes the food, hears the music, or takes in the space, the name has already done some heavy lifting. It might flirt, tease, shock, comfort, or confuse (often deliberately). And in an industry as layered as ours – where underground cocktail dens coexist with white-tablecloth dining rooms – the name is often the first clue to what kind of experience you’re about to have.
Here in South Africa, and particularly within our Randburg (Gauteng) branch territory, the creativity is exceptionally good. Sitting in weekly sales meetings, certain venue names never fail to cause a pause, a laugh, or an inevitable “have you been there yet?” – which is usually followed by a story.
Let’s start with a firm favourite.
Throbbing Strawberry
A name that needs no introduction, and definitely doesn’t fade quietly into the background. Equal parts cheeky and confident, Throbbing Strawberry is a Douglasdale institution that leans into atmosphere as much as flavour. With multiple dining areas, an open-air patio, cosy indoor seating, and a more intimate cellar, it shifts mood effortlessly throughout the day. The name may spark innuendo, but the offering is solid: cocktails, crowd-pleasing menus, and a space designed for lingering longer than planned.
Stud Burger
Blunt. Confident. No fluff.
Stud Burger tells you exactly what it’s about: bold flavours, unapologetic indulgence, and comfort food done properly. This is food that doesn’t whisper; it owns the room. The name carries a masculine edge, but the appeal is universal: big burgers, generous portions, and a no-nonsense attitude that resonates with regulars and first-timers alike.
Munching Mongoose
Friendly, playful, and instantly likeable, Munching Mongoose feels like the neighbourhood hangout you didn’t know you needed. The name suggests movement, energy, and curiosity, much like the menu itself. Casual, welcoming, and approachable, it’s a place that works just as well for weekday lunches as it does for relaxed evening dining.
Mr Pants Wine Bar
Unexpected. Disarming. Slightly absurd.
Mr Pants doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s precisely why it works. Behind the playful name is a venue that respects wine, conversation, and atmosphere, without the stiffness that sometimes accompanies wine culture. It’s approachable, human, and memorable, proof that great wine doesn’t require intimidation.
Rose Mill
Rooted in place and history, Rose Mill takes its name from Rosebank’s early identity as farmland, once known as Rosemill Orchards – and from its position on Mill Street, a name carried through from Johannesburg’s mining-era layout. The reference to “mill” speaks to transformation and nourishment rather than industry, aligning naturally with Rose Mill’s harvest-table style offering: seasonal, generous, and produce-led. It’s a name that feels grounded and intentional, quietly honouring land, history, and the act of gathering around the table.
Beyond these familiar names are others that speak to a broader trend in modern hospitality – places that understand that personality matters as much as product.
Names like Forking Good lean into humour and cultural shorthand, inviting a grin before the menu even arrives. A Streetbar Named Desire trades heavily on drama and reference, signalling mood, music, strong drinks, and late nights before you’ve stepped through the door. And then there’s Sin + Tax, possibly one of the most knowing names in the mix – indulgence acknowledged, consequences implied, and no apologies offered.
Then come the provocateurs – names designed to be talked about, shared, and debated. Pink Mama’s suggests bold colour, confidence, and personality. Buns Out leaves very little to the imagination, while BenchWarmers plays on sport, loyalty, and late-night camaraderie. Smoking Kills flips a universally recognised warning into a statement that demands curiosity. These are names that don’t aim to please everyone – and that’s exactly why they work.
While this piece focuses on the Randburg territory, it barely scratches the surface. Across the country, we supply everything from underground bars and late-night kitchens to five-star hotels, luxury lodges, and champagne-driven celebrations.
When attention shifts to Cape Town, a different rhythm emerges. Talking to Strangers is an intimate, late-night cocktail bar where lighting, music, and conversation are as carefully considered as the drinks themselves, the kind of place designed for lingering rather than rushing. At the other end of the spectrum, The Randy Warthog operates as a lively backpackers bar and grill, social by design and unapologetically bold, welcoming locals and travellers into the same easy, energetic space.
And that’s the beauty of hospitality.
It’s an industry where innuendo sits comfortably alongside refinement, where names can be playful or polished, outrageous or restrained, and where all of it works, as long as the experience delivers.
At Core Catering Supplies, we have the privilege of working with all of it. From edgy to elegant, underground to ultra-premium, the names may differ, but the passion behind them is the same.
This could very easily become a series.
And judging by the names still waiting in the wings… it probably should.
Let us know if you want more.
Enjoy the Difference.
