The Steak and Ale, a legendary live music venue in Pretoria, burnt down over the weekend.

This week, musicians, regulars and patrons have paid tribute to the iconic venue, which played host to premier local acts like  the Silvercreek Mountain Band, Anton Goosen, Karen Zoid, Valiant Swart, Bacchus Nel, Jan Blohm, Klopjag, Fokofpolisiekar, Die Melktert Kommissie and many more.

On Monday, Legendary South African musician Piet Botha told Die Beeld that he perceives the fire as ” a boggerop of epic proportions”.

The son of the former South African Minister of Foreign Affairs Pik Botha, joined about 100 regulars for an improvised ‘farewell party’  on Sunday.

He also posted his views about the venue on his Facebook page: ”For 13 years we played at The Steak and Ale , once a month, come rain or shine…but we never saw the Fire coming…at least the rock and roll memories remain, for us and so many other musicians and songwriters…”

Die Beeld also reported that the cause of the fire, which began on Saturday at 04:00, is still unknown.

On a  Facebook page created in memory of the venue, SAMA winning rocker Jan Blohm wrote: ”Our hearts are sore for our friends (…) and all the wonderful staff that made Steakies our home away from our homes.”

Roepman star John-Henry Opperman, who also forms part of Afrikaans band Klopjag, was having a drink at the venue just a few hours before it burnt down.

He shared his shock and sadness with fans on Klopjag’s blog: “I look, read, look again and think of Diff-Olie’s CD with Mitchell’s Plein which I listened to there a few hours earlier, of Brinley’s painting of Jeff Buckley, the flatscreen TVs which Charlene installed for the 2010 soccer (…) I think of the fireplace and the ridiculous poker machine which irritated me (…) and how all of those things are now moertoe (ruined).”

Lucinda Strydom, lead vocalist with Afrikaans band Die Melktert Kommissie  told Channel24 that “Steak & Ale was a place that always welcomed us with open arms. It was a warm place, filled with friendly people who always made us feel like part of the family. The many memories of late nights, amazing food and good company will always be cherished.”