This beach bar came highly recommended to us by a dog loving neighbour so we've been excited to make the trip for a while. According to their website "Grumpy's Beach Bar is like no other!" and we can see why. The place feels straight out of Ponta do Ouro in Mozambique rather than on the doorstep of Durban.
Getting there
The trip from Ballito to Blythedale is short enough to be done by bike! Unfortunately there is still a tollgate to get through but apart from it couldn't be simpler. Once off the freeway you take a left onto a well sign-posted dirt road. The road is very well maintained and even after some rain the few days before I would have been comfortable in a sedan/hatch back car.
Things to do
The general vibe is one of "arrive, let your hair down and go with the flow". The bar and tables are all under trees so there is plenty of shade. Being a young family we arrived just before 11am and were the only ones there except for the many attentive yet casual waitrons. There is a sand-pit and a few jungle-gym like toys scattered around to keep the little ones entertained. The tables overflow down a wide pathway where you can "choose your own adventure" and either carry on to the beach or veer left onto a nature trail through the forest.
Towards midday the atmosphere started to ramp up as more and more guests arrived. Looking around it appeared as though the majority of tables were pre-booked. A Sharks vs Lions rugby match was later that afternoon and this feels like a prime spot to have a few drinks and watch the game.
Check their website or Facebook page before going though as it looks as though they are only open on weekends out of season. We asked the waitress and she said the kitchen closed at 4pm and bar at 5pm.
Conclusion
We arrived with our little pooch on a lead but quite quickly felt relaxed enough to take him off. All the other patrons were very friendly to him with many calling him over for a scratch. He loved lying in the cool sand under the forest which makes for a nice change to the usual concrete floors of most restuarants.
Although it feels as though the main attraction of Grumpy's is a few lunchtime drinks we will definitely be making this a regular family outing for a meal and lovely break from city life...and some lunchtime drinks in due course!
