Die Pienk Kerk is a new place in Melville to chill, enjoy a sumptuous meal and watch smooth jazz acts
This is a warm welcoming gathering place where food, music, theatre and community meet. Now, after a run of sold-out and near-capacity performances, Die Pienk Kerk is heading into April and May with a line-up that is rich in personality, polish and variety – from comedy cabaret and musical storytelling to chanson and drag brilliance.
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
On Easter holidays I did not honour an important date that ordinarily would dare not, not honour. Yet I did. A cousin and brother of mine had invited me on that very Sunday to join them for prayers in Alberton, East of Johannesburg. However I politely declined, reason being that I was going to a new restaurant in the middle class suburb of Melville.
The discussions to go visit this restaurant and coffee shop, a new feature of the famous lifestyle in the famous suburb, had been taking place for weeks prior to the Easter prayer invitation. I therefore, felt that after confirming that I was going visit the restaurant for lunch and music, I could not suddenly drop the plans. Compelling as the case was to go for prayers on an Easter Sunday, I though felt, it was going to come out as being impolite for me to change plans for something that has been in the pipeline for weeks.
That is how I found myself at this new venue with an interesting name Die Pienk Kerk on a day when I was supposed to be refuelling myself spiritually with family. Interesting though, I could not run away completely from matters spiritual as it turned out. The gods must have connived to make sure that whether in church or not, my soul needed a spiritual revival. And that came in the form of the music performed by a trio of hugely talented jazz instrumentalists led by pianist Luyanda Madope. The other two members are Mzwandile Kunene (Bass) and Sipho SJ Malinga (Drums).
There is something about a good jazz performance that is inextricably spiritual. . Not just any music, but good jazz, that is. And the trio did just that for me.
“This place has been many things in the past. The building had so many various lives in the past that at one stage, it was a synagogue, at another time a church, and yet at another time a hijacked building that was taken over by the homeless,” owner of Die PienkCoffee Shop and Restaurant, Janni Briel told CITYLIFE/ARTS in an interview.
Die Pienk Kerk, is so called so because, the neighbourhood has always referred to the building as Die Pienk Kerk. The reality though, is that it is more than a restaurant and coffee shop, but rather a mini self-complex that also houses an art gallery in the basement and a gift shop.
“When I came back to South Africa, I had restaurants, first in Cape Town, and another one in the Free State, and now, Die Pink Kerk. I used to pass here and each time I drove past here over the years, I always thought about what it is I could do in this lovely building. Then after cooking dinner for friends in my house (in Westdene) and we were fully booked, the idea of a place for a restaurant came up. Naming, this place Die Pienk kerk was not hard because people around here have for the longest of time called this building Die Pienk Kerk.”
Briel has a colourful career behind him as both a merchandiser who worked for a Cruise ship travelling the world with his main base being South Africa and theUS from 2000 to 2008.
After the interview, we were invited to serve ourselves on the buffet table, and I can tell you that it felt more like a hot home cooked meal than a restaurant lunch. The offering on the table was diverse, the company was great, and the performance by a jazz by Luyanda and his friends, was simply what one needed on an Easter Sunday afternoon.
Luyanda and his colleagues, who played some jazz standards, such as a famous song by the late jazz composer Pat Matshikiza, as well as his own compositions, that are fresh and still to be released as part of his new album, demonstrated why he was a suitable featured musician on that day. His performance connected nicely, uplifting our spirits high. The performance took us to a place not easy to define, but where one felt like lingering longer.
He entertained our ears and minds by also lacing his act with authentic story-telling, creating an interactive atmosphere to an extent that we felt we were part of the performance as well. Now that is craftsmanship of another level not easily attained by just any musician. For the first set that I was there, having to skip the second set, it was pure ecstasy to be indulged by such a talented group of three really energetic jazz instrumentalists.
Janni, who during the day works as a visual merchandiser for a sports brand with a national footprint, opened the restaurant in September 2025, and ever since, it has been a favourite hangout for people in the neighbourhood and from afar. Attracting an interesting mix of elderly folk of Melville, and curiously not so old patrons, the place’s allure is a regular feature of live performancesthat include comedy and jazz.
This place has become a desirable place for families and friends in Melville. It may also be because the folk are simply weary of the nearby 7th Street, which attracts the young crowd with immense energy and their canternkerous behaviour, which may put off those of the community, preferring a relaxed atmosphere. After all, a sumptuous soul meal, while watching a talented jazz band on its small but intimate stage, is a more attractive option to those who have seen much in life, and prefer a relaxed atmosphere to fighting in queues to order cocktails with those of the age of their children, or even grand-children.
If you are looking for a place that is invitingly chilled, Die Pienk Kerk in Melville is the place. There, you will enjoy a sumptuous meal and watch smooth jazz acts or some interesting comedy performances with a mature crowd, manly from the local community and surrounding suburbs, out for a great afternoon with family and friends.
The point is that Melville’s beloved Die Pienk Kerk is proving that the smallest stages can hold the biggest moments and since opening its doors in late 2025, the venue has received rave reviews and sold out shows. Housed in the city’s iconic pink church at 24 Chatou Road, Die Pienk Kerk has quickly established itself as one of Johannesburg’s most distinctive cultural spaces: part restaurant, part coffee shop, part art space, and increasingly, one of the warmest and most talked-about live performance destinations in town.
The building, originally constructed in 1903, has been lovingly reimagined by owner Yanni Briel into a whimsical, welcoming gathering place where food, music, theatre and community meet. Now, after a run of sold-out and near-capacity performances, Die Pienk Kerk is heading into April and May with a line-up that is rich in personality, polish and variety – from comedy cabaret and musical storytelling to chanson and drag brilliance.
What’s coming up at Die Pienk Kerk:
17 & 18 April – Growing Old Disgracefully with Tonya Koenderman
9 & 10 May – The Incredible Journey of Tinkerbell van Tonder with Amanda Strydom and Coenraad Rall
16 May – Bonjour Monsieur Brel with Jannie du Toit
29 & 30 May – Cathy Specific with Brendan van Rhyn
Kicking off the line-up on 17 and 18 April is Growing Old Disgracefully, in which international cabaret artist Tonya Koenderman brings her signature wit to a hilarious, frank and light-hearted look at the funny side of ageing. The show starts at 17:30, with tickets at R400 per person, including either a Pienk Kerk Burger or Yanni’s Famous Artisan Pasta. Guests may bring their own wine, with no corkage fee.
Over Mother’s Day weekend (9 & 10 May), Amanda Strydom, accompanied by Coenraad Rall, brings The Incredible Journey of Tinkerbell van Tonder, a richly layered musical story of hope, identity and homecoming.
Told through the voice of Nella Petersen, the story follows Isabella Dolorosa van Tonder (nicknamed Tinkerbell ) on a journey shaped by adversity, resilience and self-discovery. Performed in Afrikaans, English, Khoi, French and Dutch, the production weaves narrative and music with Strydom’s signature depth and emotional clarity, supported by Rall’s nuanced arrangements at the piano.
The production has received major critical recognition, winning the Woordtrofee for BestMusical Play at the 2024 Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees and the Best Musical Play award at the 2025 Momentum Aardklop Festival.
Tickets are R400 per person, including either a Pienk Kerk Burger or Yanni’s Famous ArtisanPasta, with guests welcome to bring their own wine (no corkage). No under 16s are permitted.
Then, on 16 May, acclaimed singer and storyteller Jannie du Toit presents BonjourMonsieur Brel, a journey through the work of the great Jacques Brel. In this richly layered production, Brel’s vivid texts are sung in French, Afrikaans, English and Dutch, accompanied by a refined ensemble of piano, cello and guitar. The production features Susan Mouton on cello and piano, Chanie Jonker on piano and accordion, Jannie du Toit on vocals and guitar, with direction by Juanita Swanepoel. The show has been praised for its musical excellence and emotional depth, with reviewers describing it as one of South Africa’s brightest Brel offerings.
Closing out the run on 29 and 30 May is the return of a firm audience favourite: Cathy Specific, performed by the award-winning Brendan van Rhyn. After two sold-out shows at Die Pienk Kerk earlier this year, two more performances have now been added by public demand. Tickets are R400 per person and include either a Pienk Kerk Burger or Yanni’sFamous Artisan Pasta. The show starts at 17:00 and is rated PG 16. Guests are welcome to bring their own wine, again with no corkage fee.
Cathy Specific remains one of Brendan van Rhyn’s most adored creations: a sparkling alter ego with nearly two decades of history, glamour and bite behind her. Born out of Brendan’s six years as a flight attendant for South African Airways, Cathy has become a beloved character on South African stages: part chanteuse, part socialite, part comic force of nature. Audiences can expect 75 minutes of laughter, honesty, warmth, sequins and song delivered live, up close, and without a trace of mimicry or lip-syncing.
An experience worth coming back for more
The autumn programme naturally fits the spirit of Die Pienk Kerk itself, where audiences can settle in, enjoy a meal, bring a bottle of wine, and experience artists at close range in a setting that is cosy, quirky and full of life. “Die Pienk Kerk was always meant to be more than a restaurant. It is a place where people can gather, eat, listen, laugh, feel something and share an experience together. This line-up brings together exceptional artists in a setting that allows audiences to connect with them in a very real and memorable way,” says Yanni Briel, founder of Die Pienk Kerk.
With a line-up that moves from sharp comedy to musical storytelling and full-bodied cabaret, Die Pienk Kerk offers every reason for audiences to return in April and May and for new audiences to step inside Melville’s newest gem where great performances, good food and real connection come together.
My experience there was so great, relaxed, and spiritually uplifting, In even forgave myself for choosing to spend afternoon there, forgoing the opportunity to connect with family in prayers.