The West End Hotel was a historic Durban landmark, popular in the mid-20th century (especially the 1960s–1970s and earlier) as a classic “watering hole” in the city centre. It is no longer operating as a hotel today — it appears to have closed decades ago and is now part of Durban’s nostalgia/history.
Location
It stood at the top end of West Street, near the intersection with Grey Street (now Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street) and Pine Street (now Dr Monty Naicker Road). Some recollections place it on or near the corner of West and Stanger Streets, or directly opposite places like Peter’s Lounge in the Grey Street/Casbah area.
Atmosphere and Reputation
It was known as a rough-and-ready pub/hotel frequented by regulars — a mix of “likeable characters,” locals, and a lively (sometimes rowdy) crowd. One description mentions a huge horseshoe-shaped bar with blonde barmaids at one of the nearby spots (West End or New Rand Hotel), while the other was more basic, with Friday-night “blood on the floor” not always cleaned till Sunday. Overall, it had a strong, nostalgic reputation among Durbanites for its bar scene and character.
It featured in stories about Durban’s old Casbah/Grey Street nightlife, with mentions of barmen, lunchtimes, and its role as a meeting spot opposite other venues like Peter’s Lounge
