Detour Pit Stop #84: Ronnie's Sex Shop, Western Cape, South Africa
Don’t be misled by the naughty name, Ronnies and its Roadkill cafe are the go-to pit stops for drivers and riders taking South Africa’s meandering Route 62.
Head west from the small town of Barrydale, on Route 62, and just a few kilometres later you see it. The small white concrete building with red letters emblazoned on both sides “RONNIES SEX SHOP”. It may be small but it has become almost a world-famous landmark.
That sign, as you may have guessed, is a complete misnomer. Ronnie Price was planning a roadside stall when one of his mischievous friends added three controversial letters to the sign. The name stuck and the place became an instant hit with travellers. The original food stall idea was shelved and a dive bar took its place.
People flock from all over South Africa and far beyond to visit Ronnies, many of whom donate underwear to be hung from the roof of the smoky pub. We spot some folks propping up the bar during our visit and hope there’s a designated driver among them…
Next door is the Roadkill Cafe, owned by the same Mr Price. Grab a light meal from the cafe, a frosty from the bartender and head for the deck. There you can hide from the unwavering afternoon sun and glance out over the broken down tractor into the Klein Karoo as ’60s rock music filters out of the bar.
Ronnies is also a popular stop for adventure bikers who are all keen to grab a pic of their steeds in front of the famous sign. There’s always a constant trickle of visitors into Ronnies, some are stopping by from nearby towns, others, like us, are heading elsewhere.
Words and Photography Sudhir “Banzai” Matai Twitter | Instagram