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…

  • Robuust!

    Middelburg

    A profusion of indoor plants is one of the features underscoring this cafe's claim to hipster status, as is the shared-table seating and busy Wega…

  • 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…

  • Expresszo

    Middelburg

    Smaller than other cafes around the Markt and taking its coffee more seriously, this cafe offers breakfast and lunch platters (€9.95) and excellent coffee…

  • 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,…

  • De Zaak

    Middelburg

    De Zaak's rustic interior with hefty beams and wine barrels makes it a cosy spot in the cooler months, but it's best in warm weather when the front…

  • 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…

  • De Mug

    Middelburg

    The beer list here at 'The Mosquito' is long and includes many rare Trappist varieties. Be sure to try the Mug Bitter, heavy on the hops, which is brewed…

  • 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…