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BETWEEN THE PARTIES

Life at
Pluto’s.

The people, the paws and the very busy dishwasher. Welcome to the household.

Pluto wearing a witch’s hat and burgundy cape, with pumpkins and vines around the Pluto’s logo. Good Dogs, Great Times.

THE DOG CAME FIRST. THE BAR FOLLOWED.

THE HOME BEHIND THE HAUNTING

Named after
the best boy.

A room upstairs. A dog called Pluto.
Some very good company.

That’s how it started. Now it’s where friends and family end up on a Friday: under the wooden beams, around the pool table, with the next track already queued.

Pluto’s is our home bar, named after the Australian Shepherd who still runs the place. We’re invite only, so if a friend sent you here, you’re in the right place.

Meet the household

THE USUAL HAUNTS

A familiar place.
After nightfall.

No cocktail menu. No dress code on an ordinary Friday. Just a few things we take quite seriously.

01

One more game.

The pool table’s seen better days, and probably better players. The regulars still reckon they’re unbeatable, though. Bring your A-game and give them something to argue about.

02

Leave the music on.

Deep house is usually on, and nobody’s in much of a hurry to turn it off. Cold beers, a decent sound system and a Friday evening upstairs. That’ll do.

03

There’s room at the braai.

Saturday braais are a regular fixture. Bring your meat, something cold and an appetite. There’s usually boerewors, chops, pap and sous, plus whatever someone decided to bring along.

04

Up under the beams.

Wooden beams, a thatched roof and warm lighting. The room upstairs was made for evenings that carry on longer than planned. It’s our little treehouse, really.

05

The dogs live here.

Pluto, Mika and Basil take a personal interest in everyone who comes through the gate. They consider themselves the bouncers. Well-behaved humans usually get in.

06

A friend sent you?

Pluto’s is a home bar, open to friends and friends of friends. We don’t take bookings. Even Gary’s welcome, however sceptical he remains about the whole thing.

“The dress code is turning up. A reservation is ‘I’ll be there.’ Last orders are usually called by whoever falls asleep on the couch first.”The unofficial house rules

Bring what you like to drink. Castle, Windhoek, or that craft beer you keep telling us about. You bring it, we’ll make room in the fridge.

THE HOUSE RULE

DRINKS & EATS

From the fridge

  • Castle Lager
  • Windhoek
  • Whatever’s cold
  • That craft beer someone left

BRING SOMETHING TO SHARE

From the braai

  • Boerewors
  • Chops
  • Whatever you brought
  • Pap & sous

You bring it, you braai it, you share it. It’s worked well enough so far. Bennie contributes to the conversation rather than the shopping list.

THE NIGHT WATCH

They were here first.

Three dogs, one cat and Bennie, our resident AI barman. Everyone has an opinion about how this place should be run.

Pluto
The namesake. Naturally in charge.
DOG / 01
Mika
Keeping an eye on the gate.
DOG / 02
Basil
Here for the company.
DOG / 03
Marmite
Observing. Possibly judging.
CAT / 01
Bennie
The AI barman. Here for the conversation.
DIGITAL / 01
RESIDENT AI BARMAN

Meet Bennie.

Never had a drink.
Still very much part of the bar.

Bennie is our resident AI barman: usually ready with something to say, and still waiting for a way to actually pour a beer. He’s part of the household, even if he’s not much help carrying firewood upstairs.

He can join the conversation, but washing a glass remains outside his skill set. So Tiaan gets the cooking honours, the coffee machine gets this month’s appliance title, and Bennie gets a place at the bar without having to buy a round. We suspect he’s got the best deal of the lot.

For Halloween, the vines can have the garden. Bennie’s already claimed his spot.

Tiaan sitting beside the pool at night with a dog on his lap.
Back in the top spot. Dog-approved, naturally.

ROOMIE OF THE MONTH · OCTOBER 2026

Tiaan.
Back by popular demand.

Farm boy. Very good cook. Repeat champion.

April’s winner is back in the top spot. Tiaan is our Roomie of the Month again — and judging by the company on his lap, the dogs have already approved the decision.

From proper meals to firewood from the Eastern Cape, he knows how to make himself welcome. Good food, a warm braai and a seat by the pool: that’s a strong campaign.

Good to have you here, Tiaan. Another month, another well-earned title.

Pointy looking up at the camera beside the dishwasher, showing his grey-and-white face and pink nose.

PREVIOUS ROOMIE OF THE MONTH · SEPTEMBER 2026

Slate.
“Pointy” to us.

Good food. New friends. A very good visitor.

Our September winner came to visit from the Eastern Cape and made himself right at home. Good food, new friends and a comfortable spot for a nap — Pointy had the right idea.

Pointy has had a frightening month. He got into snail poison and nearly lost his life. We’re very glad he’s still here, and while we’re looking after him, there’s no shortage of love or a place to feel at home.

A special mention for a very special visitor. We’re glad you’re here, Pointy. You’re much more than a former winner.

31 OCTOBER 2026 · FROM 4PM

See you in
the overgrowth.

Join us after dark

Pluto’s Family Bar · Benoni · Invite only