A much-loved Durban hospitality landmark, Thirsty's Dockside Tavern, is preparing for a new chapter, with plans to reopen in March or April 2027 following the signing of a new lease.
After two years of pushing, planning, negotiating, changing plans and refusing to give up, the team behind the iconic name has finally secured a lease, bringing the prospect of Thirsty's returning to Durban closer to reality.
Speaking to IOL, co-owner Brett Michielin said he reached out to former owner Bob Humphreys about reopening the Durban hotspot.
"I asked him if I had his blessing and if he wanted to partner with me on this, and he said 'Yes, let's go for it', so we started looking around for sites. Thirsty's has got to be near water," he said, hinting at its possible new location.
Michielin said the planned reopening is dependent on licensing, with the team targeting March or April next year.
But for those behind the comeback, this is about more than simply reopening a restaurant. It is about restoring a piece of Durban's hospitality identity and helping revive a restaurant scene that once made the city a destination in its own right.
“There was a time when Durban had a restaurant industry that was impossible to ignore. It had characters. It had legends. It had chefs who were artists, restaurateurs who were larger than life and restaurants where people came together, celebrated, argued, laughed, fell in love and probably drank far more than they should have.
“It had soul. And I want to see that soul again," Michielin said.
A Durban legend with a rich history
Thirstys Dockside Tavern first opened in September 1995 at the site of the old King's Gun Battery, near Durban harbour.
The idea began when Durban businessman Humphreys spotted a derelict building at the harbour mouth and saw its potential as an entertainment venue.
Together with business partners Tony Dickinson and Tony Bolt, Humphreys transformed the site into a popular pub that became known for its distinctive waterfront setting and views of the harbour.
The venue quickly established itself as a favourite among locals and international visitors, offering a place to enjoy a drink while watching ships move through one of South Africa's busiest ports.
One of its memorable moments came in 1997, when the QE2 visited Durban. The occasion brought huge crowds to the area, with a queue of cars stretching from Thirsty's down Point Road and towards the Esplanade.
For former regulars and those who remember the tavern's original run, the prospect of its return offers the chance to revisit a familiar Durban name.
And for its new chapter, the hope is that Thirsty's will once again become a place where people gather, make memories and celebrate the unmistakable spirit of Durban.
The announcement comes just days after the eThekwini Municipality announced that Mojo's will take over its 17 Erskine Terrace property, along Durban's South Beach.
The City said Mojo's management signed a lease spanning nine years and 11 months.
Mojo’s began as a modest car-wash operation in Chesterville before evolving into Mojo’s Carwash & Shisanyama, building a reputation as a destination where food, entertainment and socialising come together.
The business later expanded to Davenport in Glenwood, broadening its offering beyond its original location.
Its move to South Beach represents the next chapter in that journey, taking the Durban-born brand into one of the city’s key tourism and leisure precincts.
The city's Lower Marine Parade area is due to undergo a multi-million-rand development that will bring several established hospitality businesses to the area.