There are luxury venues, and then there are spaces that feel like they have a story before the first guest even sits down.
On Friday, 28 August 2026, Urban Lifestyle experienced the opening of Plume Jazz Lounge at The Palace of the Lost City in Sun City — an intimate new destination where live music, food, design and hospitality come together.
Officially opening on 29 August, Plume is more than another addition to Sun City’s entertainment offering. It is an attempt to create a new kind of evening experience, one where the room itself becomes part of the performance.
Where Luxury Meets South African Creativity
The emerald and gold interiors, warm lighting and dramatic detailing immediately establish Plume as a sophisticated space, but its identity isn’t built entirely around international luxury references.
South African creativity is woven throughout the venue.
David Muirhead & Associates led the original design direction, reimagining the space with contemporary interpretations of The Palace’s established grandeur. Cape Town-based ceramic studio Claylat added another layer through a bespoke collection inspired by African landscapes, textures and the natural world.
For Claylat founder and master ceramist Roché Müller, the project was also deeply personal. His childhood memories of visiting Sun City became part of the creative connection, with the ceramics designed to flow alongside the marble, rock textures and architectural details of Plume.
The result is a space where African-inspired craftsmanship isn’t simply decoration. It becomes part of the experience.
Jazz Isn’t Just Entertainment
At the centre of Plume is live jazz, with resident musicians providing a changing soundtrack throughout the evenings.
That idea took on deeper meaning during the opening, when acclaimed South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini performed.
Speaking about the role of jazz, Makhathini described the music as something constantly searching for a sense of home. For him, a new jazz venue becomes more than a room with a stage — it becomes another place where the music can locate itself and create new histories.
His performance explored themes of forgiveness, motherhood, Bantu cosmologies, catastrophe and what it means to remain present in a changing world.
It was a reminder that jazz can be both sophisticated entertainment and a form of cultural conversation.
A Dining Experience Built for Discovery
The culinary offering follows the same philosophy.
Head chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen introduced guests to a tasting journey featuring premium ingredients, caviar, tapas-style dishes, cheese and dessert courses.
Rather than positioning dining as a separate part of the evening, Plume brings food, drinks and music together as one experience.
Guests can explore a selection of caviar, champagne, South African and international wines, rare spirits and signature cocktails, with pairing recommendations designed to complement the menu.
Behind the Glamour Are Real People
Perhaps one of the most significant details from the launch was not visible in the gold, velvet or carefully designed interiors.
The project created 15 new front-of-house jobs, alongside opportunities within the kitchen and wider hospitality operation.
That point was emphasised during the opening: luxury hospitality is ultimately built by people.
Plume was developed over six months, bringing together designers, artisans, chefs, musicians, hospitality teams and suppliers to turn an idea into a working venue.
And that may be what makes the launch interesting from an Urban Lifestyle perspective.
Plume isn’t simply about adding another premium venue to Sun City. It represents a meeting point between South African creativity, hospitality, employment, food, design and music — all inside one of the country’s most recognisable destinations.
For a city-loving generation looking for experiences rather than simply places to go, Plume is positioning itself as somewhere the evening itself becomes the destination.
