I can’t remember the first time I went to Aandklas Hatfield, but I do remember a lot of things that have happened there over the years. That list is massively long.
I remember the after parties after Vredefest. There was also the VanFokkingTasties after party in 2010 (which was also Francois Van Coke’s 30th Birthday) and I remember the first time I went there with Baas De Beer (on the night I met him at a Tweetup at Tings ‘n Times).
I also remember meeting Rob Forbes and hanging out with the Tuks FM crew, the the abundance of cleavage in my face when I photographed the ladies at the Boobs, Beer & Braai Party in 2011, the surprise show Francois, Wynand and Peach played for 300 people in 2012, the hours of podcasts I recorded for this blog on the deck in 2013, the tons of quiz nights on Wednesday evenings and the Grind Radio years (when we were broadcasting out of the back bar).
Fact is, that I’ve made some many friends and have so many memories of Aandklas Hatfield that they get jambled up sometimes and I forget what year it was when things happened. So many stories, so many drunken evenings, so many shots, so many friends, so many good times. What more can you ask for from a bar?
Aandklas Hatfield turned 10 years old in 2016. I was there that night to party my arse off with “my family” and I was not disappointed. The hangover was definitely worth it.
To pay homage to Aandklas Hatfield, one of my favorite bars in Pretoria, I’ve decided to include 10 facts about them:
1. Aandklas Hatfield opened up its doors in 2006.
Before it was there, the venue was called Up The Creek and before that it was a good old student commune. I actually bumped into one of the original occupants a few years ago who told us that “it was fun drinking in his commune again”.
2. The bar was opened by the Oosthuizen brothers
Rudi Oosthuizen runs Aandklas Hatfield and his brother Marcus Oosthuizen runs Aandklas Stellenbosh.
3. The Oosthuizen brothers opened the venue because they wanted to give rock ‘n roll a home in Hatfield.
If I can recall correctly, the rest of Hatfield wasn’t so rock ‘n roll back then, so there’s was definitely a gap in the market.
4. It was one of the four bars left in area around Hatfield Square
This was since Hatfield Square was demolished in 2015. Aandklas Hatfield is one of only 4 bars that remain in the area. In it’s heyday there were like 15.
5. It was the cheapest bar in Pretoria to buy a local beer during daytime
A Black Label set you back only R12. (This special ran between 11 AM and 6 PM every day). Other drink specials were also available during this time.
6. They had one of the longest running quiz nights in the 012
Aandklas Hatfield’s Wednesday Quiz Nights were around for more than 11 years.
7. It’s the only bar that I knew of that has it’s own anthem
The anthem was “Tribute” by Tenacious D. Everyone takes this seriously. Jack Black would be proud to hear how loud everyone sings this song. Maybe he should play a show here to bring back some memories?
8. Although it was not allowed, dancing on the tables seemed always inevitable
If you’ve been there the amount of times that I have, you’ll agree with this statement.
9. It was one of Pretoria’s musician hubs
There was always a chance that you could bump into someone who wants to start a band, who’s already in a band, whose band is playing at the venue or who was in a band at some stage at Aandklas Hatfield. The venue also hosted Open Mic nights since 2015 (on Sunday nights). This was started to give new talent a chance to flourish.
10. Aandklas Parties were Epic
The venue is infamous for hosting Pretoria’s best Halloween Party annually, the R11 party (on 11/11/11), the R12 party (on 12/12/12) and a R13 party and being “the place where people ended up” after band shows in Hatfield Square.
Well, there you have it, 10 facts about Aandklas Hatfield. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my memories and found the facts insightful.
Huge thanks to Rudi, my crazy friends (Aspoestertjies, Denmarkians and everyone else) for making Aandklas what it was – a great place to make friends and have a good time whilst listening to good old rock ‘n roll.
Watch this space for regular updates in the Facts category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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