Why South Africans Are Turning Their Homes Into High-End Bars

Driven by an appreciation for local quality and world-class, design-led living, more South Africans are investing in premium experiences that bring luxe bar energy into their own homes. “People are curating their lives and spaces with intent,” says Trevor Brewer, Director at consumer technology specialist Solenco. “They want elegance, but on their own terms.”

South Africa stands out among leading luxury growth markets, with 15% expected growth in 2025, alongside Sweden (12%), India (10%) and the United Arab Emirates (9%), according to Euromonitor International. As affluence rises and consumer tastes shift toward both luxury products and luxury experiences, local purchases of wines priced above R200 per bottle more than doubled between 2020 and 2024, while whisky has emerged as the country’s most popular spirit.

This appetite for considered indulgence is also reshaping how South Africans think about home technology. Small appliances are no longer tucked away after use. Air fryers, for example, have surged in popularity over the past few years not only because of convenience, but because they look good enough to live permanently on kitchen counters. Unlike pressure cookers or rice cookers, they’ve become part of the visual language of modern homes. The same shift is now unfolding in the world of wine and entertaining, where wine coolers are increasingly seen as design pieces rather than functional add-ons. As homes become more intentional, technology that blends performance with aesthetics is fast becoming essential.

So once the wine or spirit of choice and the right technology are in place; the decanter, the chiller, the ice maker, what else do you need? Glassware, for a start. Tulip-shaped glasses help whisky breathe, flutes keep bubbles lively, and curved bowls bring out the aromas in wine. The finer the crystal, the greater the sense of occasion.

But atmosphere isn’t just about what’s poured. It’s also about how it feels. The right playlist, soft ambient lighting, and food pairings that are simple yet thoughtful all play a role. Think mature cheddar, roasted nuts and dark chocolate with whisky; smoked salmon crostini with a dry white wine; and feta, olives and prosciutto-wrapped melon with rosé. Cocktails invite even more creativity, where sweet meets sour, herbal balances fruity, and a hint of spice keeps things interesting.

Across Instagram and TikTok, home bartending creators have dubbed garnishes “the outfit of the drink”, the final detail that transforms a cocktail from improvised to intentional. This summer’s standout looks lean into drama and aroma: charred citrus twists that release scent as you sip, blood orange and grapefruit wheels for a sunset-toned palette, and rims dusted with citrus-infused salts or sugars. Herb sprigs are going bold too, less parsley garnish and more garden couture, adding texture, scent and visual theatre to every pour.

Brewer says Solenco has recognised this shift toward premium but practical home entertaining with the creation of Solenco Life, a sub-brand designed to elevate the experience without complicating it. The range centres on three hero pieces that turn the ordinary into something refined: a Precision Bottle Wine Cooler that keeps wines and bubbles perfectly chilled and ready to pour; a Precision Wine Cooler and Decanter that aerates wine and holds it at its ideal serving temperature so every glass tastes as good as the first; and the Sphere Ice Maker, which creates crystal-clear, slow-melting ice spheres that preserve flavour while instantly giving any drink a high-end, cocktail-bar feel.

“These products accommodate how South Africans now live and entertain,” explains Brewer. “We’re spending more time at home, but we still want sophistication. This range of award-winning, imported home technology makes that possible while still being beautiful and efficient.”

Summer in South Africa hits differently. Days stretch long, sunsets show off, and the mood shifts. “People are choosing personal over public, experience over excess,” says Brewer. “Elegant gatherings that blur the line between home and high-end hospitality. Sparkling conversations, perfectly crafted drinks, and the sense that every element has been chosen deliberately. The trend is clear: staying in is the new night out.”