Rotterdam Entertainment

  1. De Doelen

    This is where you will find the 'home ground' of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, a sumptuous concert centre that dates from 1935 and seats 1300. The orchestra is world class.

    Read more about De Doelen

  2. Dizzy Jazzcafé

    Live music Tuesday nights and Sunday afternoons. The evening performances are scorching: everything from hot jazz to fast and funky Brazilian and salsa, with a very lively, sweaty crowd jumping out of their skins.

    Read more about Dizzy Jazzcafé

  3. Gay Palace

    And here we have Rotterdam's only weekly gay nightclub, featuring four heaving floors of throbbing gay action - different scenes on each floor - to work you into a lather and get you sweaty.

    Read more about Gay Palace

  4. Luxor Theater

    A major new performance venue, the Luxor features every kind of entertainment you can possibly imagine. Check out its excellent website or pick up one of its abundant programmes around town for more details.

    Read more about Luxor Theater

  5. Night Town

    Fencesitters might come here for a fun-kung-fu-sion urban mashup of jazz, reggae, pop, Latin, funk and house choons: phat beats from the phar side for phreaks and scenesters who like it meaty, beaty, big and bouncy. Restaurant's good, too.

    Read more about Night Town

  6. Now & Wow

    Many believe this to be Rotto's best club. It's an astoundingly popular and cool place, divided in two: 'Now' for mainstream house, and 'Wow' for funky beats. Theme nights with titles like 'Superbimbo' say it all. Watch out for the door bitch: she doesn't like shabby backpackers.

    Read more about Now & Wow

  7. off_corso

    There are some who say that this is where it's at - a varied roster of entertainment and late-night action that sees bleeding-edge local and international DJs mashing up a high-fibre diet of bleeps'n'beats.

    Read more about off_corso

  8. Rotown

    A smooth bar, a dependable live rock venue, an agreeable restaurant, a popular meeting place. The musical program features new local talent, established international acts and crossover experiments.

    Read more about Rotown

  9. Schouwburg

    This is the main cultural centre, with a rotating calendar of dance, theatre and drama. Note the intriguing light fixtures with red necks out the front.

    Read more about Schouwburg

  10. Stalles

    This classic brown café is on a great stretch of road near plenty of good shops, cafés and bars. It has an extensive range of single malt whiskys and some reasonable food, including pizza and lasagne.

    Read more about Stalles

  11. Advertisement

  12. Willemsbrug

    This old-time, maritime-themed pub attracts salty sea dogs. It's not for those with weak lungs - the air's blue with cigarette, cigar and pipe smoke (and probably blue with salty language if you understand Dutch well enough). But the staff and clientele are a bit of a laugh - they're liable to turn the cheesy music up full bore and indulge in a woefully off-key sing-along at any time.

    Read more about Willemsbrug