Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Santini's!

So on Saturday night I was finally dragged off to Santini's a sokkie-club in Honeydew! Sokkie, for you non-South african's out there is a traditional form of dancing that is enjoyed by Afrikaans people and ridiculed by pretty much everyone else. It's also known as "Langarm sokkie" and looks kind of like a weird afst waltz accompanied by regular music remixed to have a very distinctive beat. All sokkie-music has the same beat, so besides being distinctive, once you've figured out the dance you're pretty much set for life.

Not to be mean about it, to watch a bunch of people who actually know what they're doing is pretty impressive. I've resisted going to Santini's as long as I could, but Saturday was Laurin's birthday and I didn't really have a choice. La has always promised that she'd be there the first time I went, but she's writing tests and stressed beyond belief, so I was on my own.

Despite all my protests, it weas actually pretty cool! I was amazed by:

  1. The old south african flag was stuck up EVERYWHERE! Darren and I counted about 6 flags, and the place isn't very big!
  2. Men in short shorts and rugby jerseys - yes it is the Afrikaans uniform, and we had been playing rugby, but to go clubbing?
  3. The number of girls in rugby jerseys - ddn't really match the mini-skirts, but hey...
  4. The number of old people (toppies) out-sokkieing the youngsters
  5. The game trophies on the walls
  6. and, despite all of that... the signs everywhere were in English! And not just the ones about not smoking or drinking on the dance floor - which I could understand meaning that the English visitors don't know how to behave or something, but even the signs for the entrance and the business hours and the bathrooms...

All in all it was an awesome evening and Laurin seemed to have a great time! And not all of the music was sokkiefied, so those of us with less coordination got to have fun as well. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I might be going back there sometime! I'll try and add some photos at some stage, as soon as I can get them from other people...

7 comments:

Joe Louden said...

I used to go to Santini's often in 2005 and 2006 before i moved away from JHB. I found it to be a genuinely original bar and dance joint. Sure, it was old school, but the service was great and everything was clean and as long as one minded their manners, the vibe was good as well.

Anonymous said...

Waiting for your pictures of Santini's

Anonymous said...

Santini's SUCK BIG TIME!! The bouncher actually abused my cousin and my friends. For what we still don't know.

He is a pathetic man who will always earn R1000 a month and never grow.

Hope you get what you deserve and never find another job accept being a pathetic bouncher. I'll never return to Santini's as people get hit and abused at Santini's without any reason. SANTINI'S SUCK BIG TIME.

I use to really enjoy it there until the madness on Saterday evening. IDIOTS

Anonymous said...

mense wat nie weet wat daar gebeur het nie moet hul bekke hou....ek ken die mense wat daar werk rn hulle is goeie mense ....sterkte santinis als sal reg kom....sien hulle later

Anonymous said...

because you guys behavied drunk .... and like children ,,,, idiot

Santini addict!!!! said...

I have been going to Santini's for the past seven years and can honestly say that in those seven years I have seen two, maybe three fights in there. I always have a good time and feel safe when I go there. My friends and I always have an amazing time there and I will keep on going there every weekend! The bouncers are there to do their job, which is to protect and be on the look out for everyone while you are having a good time. If you want to start a fight, then its your own fault, therefore if you have nothing good to say about the place then SHUT UP!!!!!

Lally said...

ek hou van hoe die meeste op kom vir Santini's, sal vanaand self gaan kyk, hoop om te dans tot die son op kom!