Your guide to Heidelberg Gauteng
#The Club House
Heritage Blue Plaque #Nr 14
HEIDELBERG CLUB - 39 HF Verwoerd Street
What is the story here?
The Heidelberg Club is probably one of the oldest men’s clubs in the Transvaal. Founded in 1892, the clubhouse was built in 1897. It was the second club in the Transvaal to be granted a liquor licence.Ever since its establishment, the club has always been able to boast a strong membership, with its male only policy, one can ensure enjoyment of a game of billiards, while relaxing with a cold beer. Well known members were Dr. J O’Reilly, who was also known as a brilliant billiards player. Dr. EJ Nixon, A von Geusau, A van Driel and FS McHattie also gathered at the club, where businessmen and families could relax after a day’s work. Today, visitors can enjoy a variety of dishes at the fireplace where Eugene Marais and Dr AG Visser once sat.
THE HISTORY OF THE HEIDELBERG CLUB AND RESTAURANT
FOUNDING AND INTELLECTUAL ORIGINS (1892 - 1897)
The foundational philosophy of this historic venue was explicitly recorded in its original governance papers, which stated: "It shall be a place of social interaction with gentlemen and ladies." Established in 1892, the Heidelberg Club stands as one of the oldest traditional social clubs founded in the former Transvaal Republic.
The dedicated clubhouse building was completed in 1897. Reflecting its high social standing and early infrastructure, the venue became only the second establishment in the entire Transvaal region to be granted a formal government liquor license.
From its late 19th-century inception, the institution maintained a robust and influential membership roster. Operating for over a century with a traditional, male-only membership policy for its formal club activities, the venue served as a dedicated sanctuary where members could relax with a cold beer and enjoy competitive games of billiards.
THE FIREPLACE AND THE POETIC CONVERSATIONS OF VISSER AND MARAIS
The club operated as the primary meeting point for Heidelberg's most prominent historical figures. Regular members who shaped the town's early history - including the District Surgeons Dr James O’Reilly and Dr Edward John Nixon, alongside civic leaders A. van Driel, F.S. McHattie, and the prominent attorney Adrian von Geusau - gathered at the premises daily.
The clubhouse interior holds a revered position in South African literary history, particularly the hearth area. The celebrated Afrikaans poet Dr A.G. Visser and his close friend, the iconic author, journalist, and naturalist Eugène Marais, spent long evenings seated directly in front of the club fireplace.
The two intellectuals used the space to philosophize on art, nature, and politics. Local literary tradition maintains that several of Dr Visser’s most famous poems were drafted and debated at this very fireside.
MODERN ADAPTATION AND COMMUNITY TRADITIONS
The historic property transitioned into a new era when Carlos and Vicky Neto acquired the establishment. The Netos launched an extensive revitalization project, sensitively preserving the building's rich nostalgia and architectural heritage while successfully transforming the restrictive gentlemen's club into a welcoming, family-oriented house restaurant.
Reflecting on the preservation project, Carlos Neto noted: "I am born and bred in Heidelberg and glad to see the nostalgia and history is protected for the future." Today, modern patrons can sit by the same historic fireplace utilized by Visser and Marais while enjoying a contemporary menu.
Local historians preserve an entertaining piece of community lore linked to the owner's earlier business enterprises. Prior to managing the restaurant, Carlos Neto operated the Suikerbos Butchery in Rensburg, situated along the Balfour road.
In the early 2000s, Neto lost a friendly sporting wager regarding the Rugby Currie Cup tournament to Johnny Goosen, the founder and owner of JM Security. As payment for the lost bet, Carlos was forced to paint the iconic model bull anchoring the butchery's roof in the official colours of the winning rugby team.
Neto turned the forfeit into a celebrated annual town tradition, repainting the roof bull every year to match the colours of whichever provincial union claimed the Currie Cup trophy. This local tradition outlived its co-founder; Johnny Goosen tragically passed away in 2007, but the colourful annual tribute remained a fixture of the local landscape.
Sources: The official historical Tour Guide of Heidelberg; the 11 August 2021 centenary edition of the Heidelberg Heraut; and biographical data from "Heidelbergers of the Boer War" by Ian Uys. Archival photographic records curated by Loraine McGregor.
