Must-see nightlife in South Holland & Zeeland

  • Aloha Bar, restaurant in pool

    Aloha

    Rotterdam

    Sustainable, innovative and funky as anything, this bar-cafe in the former Tropicana baths has a large terrace boasting views across the Nieuwe Maas river…

  • Man met Bril, facade

    Man Met Bril

    Rotterdam

    Rotterdam's first artisanal coffee roastery (there are now 12), Man Met Bril sources direct-trade, 90% organic beans from across the globe and then roasts…

  • Eurotrash United

    Rotterdam

    This excellent brewery is the brainchild of Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam, the artists responsible for the enormous Cornucopia work on the inside of…

  • Verward

    Rotterdam

    Beer is a more common tipple than wine in Rotterdam, so many bars here have less-than-stellar selections of wine by the glass or bottle. That's not the…

  • Bokaal

    Rotterdam

    In a bokaal (trophy) location at the heart of the enclave around pedestrian Nieuwemarkt and Pannekoekstraat, Bokaal has an indoor bar and a huge all-day…

  • Lola Bikes & Coffee

    Den Haag

    The owners and staff at this cafe are passionate cyclists, and operate a workshop at the rear where they repair racing bikes in between serving excellent…

  • Suicide Club

    Rotterdam

    Situated on the top floor of the iconic and monolithic Groothandelsgebouw building, this rooftop bar is where the beau monde comes to mingle. Expect…

  • Borgman & Borgman

    Leiden

    The Giesen W6 roaster in the window signals that this hip cafe is serious about its coffee, and its baristas deliver on this promise. There's also a small…

  • Biergarten

    Rotterdam

    A sun-bleached labyrinth of wooden tables, brightly painted stairs, exotic foliage and low-slung festoon lighting, the Biergarten throngs with thirsty…

  • Waag

    Leiden

    Leiden's historic waag (weigh station) is now home to one of the town's most popular eating and drinking spots, a bustling place attracting locals of…

  • COPPI

    Rotterdam

    Rotterdammers love both coffee and cycling, and this clever business caters to both passions. As well as repairing bikes and running a cafe (breakfast…

  • Coffeelicious

    South Holland

    Secreted in the rear garden of the Museum Simon van Gijn, this cafe is a delightful spot in which to enjoy a coffee, tea, slice of cake or panino. Reserve…

  • nhow Bar

    Rotterdam

    If Rotterdam had a ‘best view from a cocktail bar’ award, this bar on the 7th floor of the De Rotterdam building would be the clear winner. Action unfolds…

  • Bad Habits International Pub

    Leiden

    We all have them, so why not celebrate your bad habits at this popular student pub – beer and burgers definitely qualify and there's a good choice of both…

  • Dr Rotterdam

    Rotterdam

    Reminiscent of Prohibition-era speakeasies, Dr Rotterdam only opens its doors to those in the know. Located in the Scheepvaartkwartier quarter, drinkers…

  • Bouzy

    Den Haag

    On buzzing Denneweg, this sun-drenched corner bar has a wine list concentrating on European tipples but flirts with the New World too; there are dozens of…

  • De Oude Jan

    Delft

    Opposite the Oude Kerk, this is one of Delft's most popular hangouts. It's known for student-friendly hours and occasional performances by live bands, who…

  • Stirr

    Rotterdam

    One of the city's best cocktail bars, Stirr offers an exhilarating package of crazy decor, funky beats and the undivided attention of the bar's legendary…

  • Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim

    Rotterdam

    The sight of bubbling copper vats and the heady scent of hops greets you at this vintage brewery abutting the Oude Kerk. Here you can take a voyage…

  • Ballroom

    Rotterdam

    Here’s the maths: with over 160 types of gin and 12 different kinds of tonic, Ballroom can mix up nearly 2000 different combinations of G&T. But who’s…

  • Noah

    Rotterdam

    There’s not a grass skirt in sight, but Europe’s oldest skyscraper, the Witte Huis, now has a distinctly Hawaiian flavour thanks to the excellent…

  • Maassilo

    Rotterdam

    With exposed pipes, graffiti-scrawled concrete pillars and metal railings, this former grain store from the early 20th century is now Rotterdam’s biggest…

  • Korenbeurs

    Rotterdam

    Set in an internal courtyard and on the front terrace of a listed 18th-century building (now a branch of the Schiedam library system), this lovely cafe…

  • Kaapse Brouwers

    Rotterdam

    Beloved for its live-jazz nights on Fridays from 8pm, this craft brewery in the Fenix Food Factory brews a bitter, ale, IPAs and stout. Its on-site Kaapse…

  • Hotel NY Terrace Bar

    Rotterdam

    A truly marvellous location on the western point of Wilhelminapier, the terrace bar/cafe at Hotel New York offers a casual vibe and marvellous views of…

  • Lokaal

    Rotterdam

    Local Rotterdam products(bread, cheese, beer…) are at the heart of Lokaal but its speciality is brewing Rotterdam-roasted espresso and filter blends from…

  • Café De Oude Mol

    Den Haag

    Pass through the ivy-covered door of Café de Oude Mol and you'll find this intimate, earthy pub that sums up the Dutch quality of gezelligheid …

  • VaVoom!

    Den Haag

    Rum-based cocktails are the draw at this tiki bar in the city's major party precinct. An impressive 85 rums are available, and are used in knock-'em-dead…

  • De Oude Sluis

    Rotterdam

    The view up the canal from the terrace tables stretches as far as Delfshaven's windmill at this bruin café, which has been a popular neighbourhood spot…

  • VLOT

    Leiden

    Angular, glass-paned VLOT sits out on a platform right in the canal, providing great views year-round. In warm weather the best seats are on its adjoining…

  • Doerak

    Delft

    Canal-side and pavement seating are popular perches at this friendly drinking den, but regulars tend to claim seats at the long indoor bar before ordering…

  • Café De Ouwehoer

    Rotterdam

    Offering plenty of the cosiness that the Dutch so prize, this atmospheric pub in the heart of Rotterdam’s former harbour red-light district has an…

  • De Paas

    Den Haag

    A highly atmospheric old bar with a huge selection of Dutch, Belgian and other international beers, De Paas has 13 beers on tap, including unusual…

  • Café L'Esperance

    Leiden

    Decked out with wood-panelled walls lined with framed photos, this nostalgic bruin café (pub) dating from 1814 overlooks an evocative bend in the canal,…

  • Brouwerij Noordt

    Rotterdam

    Situated in an old fire station (enter through the laneway off Zaagmolenkade), this brewery with its enormous onsite brewing tanks serves 20 tipples on…

  • Chummy Coffee

    Leiden

    Located on one of Leiden's major shopping strips, this cafe concentrates on one thing – coffee – and serves a very good cup indeed. There are usually a…

  • De Zwarte Ruiter

    Den Haag

    The Black Rider is a perennial Grote Markt favourite courtesy of its heated terrace and cavernous, light-filled, split-level interior. Live acts or DJs…

  • Café LaBru

    Rotterdam

    Hard-to-find whisky, gin, rum, tequila and craft beers are on the menu at this laid-back drinking den, where live jazz is performed on Wednesday nights…

  • Café-Brasserie Belvédère

    Delft

    Belgian beer is the popular choice here, enjoyed in great quantities at a sea of tables in leafy Beestenmarkt. There are more than 10 beers on tap, and…

  • Locus Publicus

    Delft

    Cosy little Locus Publicus is filled with cheery locals quaffing their way through the 200-strong beer list, including 13 on tap. There's great people…