Entertainment in The Randstad
-
A
Jazzcafé the Duke
‘If we don’t have it, you don’t need it’ is its motto, and amid this cool-cat interior of yellowing, vintage jazz posters, the fine live jazz never makes you doubt it.
reviewed
-
B
De Doelen
Home venue of the renowned Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, a sumptuous concert centre that dates from 1935 and seats 1300.
reviewed
-
C
Dr Anton Philipszaal
Home to the Residentie Orkest, Den Haag’s classical symphony orchestra.
reviewed
-
D
-
E
Kurzaal Bar
Even if you're not staying at the plush, 19th-century Kurhaus Hotel, it's worth popping in for a drink at its bar (but wear your best shoes). The Kurzaal's on the edge of a stunning dancehall/restaurant with period trimmings, painted ceiling, frescoes, chandeliers, huge potted plants, portholes, artworks, and photos of Jacques Brel, Bing Crosby… The Rolling Stones played their shortest-ever concert here - just three minutes, before rioting teenage girls took over.
reviewed
-
F
Winkel van Sinkel
This stately early-19th-century building houses a grand café, a nightclub and a restaurant in an absolutely divine interior. It was once the Netherlands' first department store, inspiring this popular Dutch ditty (according to a Guardian reader: 'At the big shop of Sinkel's, all things can be bought/Sweeties and shandies, undies for dandies/Needles for knitting, and tablets for shitting'.
reviewed
-
G
Fiddler
This large, split-level, wood-panelled English microbrewery always has a decent crowd snacking on the OK pub food and the Fiddler's own beers: an ale, a pale ale and a stout. In the end, it's probably a bit too cavernous - intimacy's hard to come by. Good location: in the eye of the Grote Kerk.
reviewed
-
H
De Unie
Truly cultural, this venue is a vision in white, which provides a blank slate for events from cabaret to forums about taxation and the middle class to acoustic folk. It’s safe to say that the high-brow debates here continue right out to the tables out the front.
reviewed
-
I
North End
This superb English-style pub is full of warmth, cosy nooks and character. It comes complete with its very own 'bourbon alley' (not very English, granted, but a welcome selection of booze all the same) and patented beer strippenkaart (strip card).
reviewed
-
J
Worm
Off in a corner of Delftshaven is the ideal Dutch venue: parties are chaotic with a try-anything, do-anything vibe. Media mash-ups, performance art and experimental music are some of the more mundane events. The free magazine gives a peak inside.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Willemsbrug
This old-time, maritime-themed pub attracts salty sea dogs from the island. However, it’s all bark and no bite. There’s an underlying genial charm that finds full throat when impromptu singing spreads like a fire on the poop deck.
reviewed
-
L
Café De Oude Mol
Some of the oude (old) National Geographics piled in the window actually predate the crusty yet genial characters arrayed around the bar. Pass through the ivy-covered door and you’ll find Den Haag without the pretence.
reviewed
-
M
Beachclub Doen
A vision of white, Doen is one of the least tacky of the plethora of beach bars lining the sands. Palm trees shivering in the North Sea breeze add atmosphere to sofas, loungers and other good chillin’ and drinkin’ spots.
reviewed
-
N
Muziekcafé de Paap
Den Haag's best place for live music, and just a great, versatile nightspot. It's atmospheric, and has a fab restaurant and bar where you can kick off early. It's a youngish, cool crowd, but really geared to anyone who's into music.
reviewed
-
O
De Oude Sluis
The view up the canal from the tables outside goes right out to Delftshaven’s windmill at this ideal brown cafe. Inside you’ll find peanut shells littering the floor; the perfect accompaniment/inducement for beer.
reviewed
-
P
Tivoli
This former monastery, now a cavernous dance hall with medieval chandeliers, is a fixture on Utrecht’s student-oriented music scene. There’s everything from big band jazz to new Brit bands such as Rolo Tomassi.
reviewed
-
Q
ACU
Billing itself as a ‘political cultural centre’, ACU is a classic student dive. It combines bar, disco, lecture hall and more. Argue about whether Trotsky was too conservative while downing organic vegan food.
reviewed
-
R
De Zwarte Ruiter
We call this one the winner, with its terrace and art deco mezzanine – light-filled, split-level and cavernous – and boisterous crowds of commoners, diplomats and, no doubt, the odd international jewel thief.
reviewed
-
S
Proeflokaal In den Uiver
This nautical-themed place has shipping knick-knacks and a schooner sailing right over the bar. There’s jazz on Thursday and Sunday evenings. It’s one of many atmospheric places overlooking the Grote Markt.
reviewed
-
T
Toneelschuur
This bizarre multilevel stage complex (designed by a Dutch cartoonist, Joost Swarte) has a daring agenda of experimental dance, theatre and art-house cinema, and acts as a production house for up-and-coming directors.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
off_corso
This is where it’s at: bleeding-edge local and international DJs mashing up a high-fibre electronic diet of bleeps ’n’ beats. Art displays provide diversions at this prototypical Rotterdam club.
reviewed
-
V
De Sax
This little jazz bar, just off the Plein, is quite the chilled establishment. It has a good vibe, not the least of which is due to the cool music oozing from the sound system. Very dark, very cosy, very friendly.
reviewed
-
W
Dizzy
Live concerts Monday and Tuesday nights and Sunday afternoons. The evening performances are scorching: everything from hot jazz to fast and funky Brazilian and salsa. There’s regular jazz jam sessions.
reviewed
-
X
Café 1900
This authentic brown café is a little gem, with a fin-de-siècle interior, long bar perfect for propping up, and pleasantly mixed crowd. Live bands and DJs often feature on weekends.
reviewed
-
Y
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.
reviewed
