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The Netherlands’s second city is impressively good at flying under the radar. There’s no denying that sampling Amsterdam’s wild nightlife is something we all should do once. A weekend in the Dutch city with every inhibition left well behind is almost a rite of passage. But once you’ve done that, don’t miss the opportunity to check out Rotterdam’s nightlife scene.
Quieter, a little more tame and much lighter on the wallet, a night out in Rotterdam will be spent surrounded by locals rather than stag parties and visitors from afar. One thing is for sure, though: it will be no less fun.
During the day, Rotterdam’s quirky architecture and immersive museums will more than keep you entertained. Come darkness, the fun, anything-goes approach to Rotterdam nightlife will keep you awake long into the small hours. From regal Stadhuisplein to cosmopolitan Witte de Withstraat, Rotterdam by night has something for everyone.
Getting to Rotterdam
From Amsterdam
Public transport in The Netherlands puts many countries to shame. State-owned train operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen provide frequent, reliable connections between all major cities. Trains leave Amsterdam Centraal Station for Rotterdam every few minutes. The journey takes just over an hour. Their English language website is the best place to plan your journey.
From outside The Netherlands
Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is just five kilometers from central Rotterdam. From the airport, take the frequent shuttle bus to Meijersplein metro station, from where it’s a ten-minute ride into the city. Rotterdam Airport sees daily flights from several destinations across Europe, including regular British Airways services from London City and, beginning April 2025, from London Stansted with Transavia.
If you’re flying from further afield, the best option is to fly into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) and take a train. The journey takes less than half an hour and trains run every 10-20 minutes. Find the best flights for you by comparing options.
The Best Rotterdam Nightlife Spots
De Meent
A couple of decades ago, no visitor to Rotterdam would have had any reason to end up on De Meent. But, like much of the city, De Meent has reinvented itself in recent years. Now one of the city’s trendiest streets, De Meent is the place to go to experience the trendiest Rotterdam nightlife going.
Café Van Zanten
At the corner of De Meent and Binnenrotte, every night Cafe Van Zanten transforms from a sleepy sidewalk café to happening Rotterdam nightlife staple. On warm summer evenings, their patio is a people watcher’s paradise. Come the colder winter nights, cosy up inside with some warming bitterballen.
They pair perfectly with a glass or two of Dutch beer. Café Van Zanten also have a great wine list with prices which won’t break the bank. They’re open daily from 10 am until late.
De Huismeester
At the eastern end of De Meent, just across scenic Delftsevaart, De Huismeester translates as ‘the caretaker’. You can be certain they’ll take care of your Rotterdam nightlife experience. A trendy Tapas bar, you can enjoy delicious Spanish flavors whilst sipping on a glass of red.
Highlights include rich Iberian meat and cheese platters, gambas al pil pil and chimichurri steak. Open daily from midday, De Huismeester stays open until the early hours at weekends, making it perfect for a late lunch or midnight snack.
Wijnbar Janssen en van Dijk
Another trendy new addition to the Rotterdam nightlife scene, Wijnbar Janssen en van Dijk occupies a prime position overlooking Delftsevaart. Come for the views, stay for the wine. And that wine list won’t disappoint. Dozens of reds, whites and roses are available, plus an impressive champagne selection. Many are available by the glass.
If you’re feeling peckish, their tapas style menu caters to all tastes. Jannsen is open daily from 11am and hosts regular events and theme nights.
Oude Haven
A relatively recent addition to the Rotterdam nightlife scene, Oude Haven was once one of the city’s most important harbors. Gentrification over the last few decades has cemented Oude Haven as one of Rotterdam’s most loved nightlife spots. Grab a beer and watch the sunset without a care in the world.
Stockholm
Tables spill on to the waterfront from the hippest addition to the Rotterdam nightlife scene in recent years. With an unbeatable position overlooking Oude Haven, Stockholm has to be on your Rotterdam to-do list.
Their enchanting list of creative cocktails is enhanced by an excellent offering of Scandi-inspired foodie delights. Whether you’re just looking for a smorgasbord to snack on whilst you sip or a delicious three-course meal, Stockholm won’t disappoint. Open daily from 11am until the early hours, don’t miss your chance to take an evening trip to Sweden without setting foot on a plane.
Witte Huis
With almost as enviable location as Stockholm, Witte Huis (that’s Dutch for White House) is just across the Haven. Whilst the bar is excellent, there’s a lot more to the Witte Huis than being a staple of the Rotterdam nightlife scene. Built in 1898, this iconic art nouveau building was the first high-rise ever to be built in Europe. It’s also one of the very few pre-war buildings remaining in the city.
Today, you can soak up the history whilst enjoying a refreshing Dutch beer with views of Oude Haven thrown in as an added bonus. Witte Huis is open Wednesday to Sunday, but hours vary by day so it pays to double check before you go.
1898 Food & Drinks
If the clue wasn’t in the name, 1898 Food & Drinks shares the Witte Huis with Witte Huis. In fact, it’s the very next entrance along. Lovingly restored to its former glory with some quirky modern touches, 1898 is a great place to kick off your evening before sampling the more lively Rotterdam nightlife venues.
Whilst you can pop in for a drink as you work your way through Rotterdam’s nightlife hotspots, 1898’s food is so good it would be a shame to miss out. Lunch highlights are their open-faced sandwiches and freshly tossed salads and come evening, their extensive sharing menu is always a hit. 1898 is open Tuesday through Saturday until midnight.
Stadhuisplein
At the heart of the Cool District, Stadhuisplein has long been a favorite Rotterdam nightlife destination. Start early by watching the world go by with an al fresco cocktail. It’s a cliché, but you never know who or what you’ll see on Stadhuisplein. Students in fancy dress share the plaza with teenagers zipping around on skateboards in turn dodging couples out for a romantic stroll.
Cornelis Bar & Kitchen
With tables spilling out onto Stadhuisplein, Cornelis Bar & Kitchen is the ultimate Rotterdam nightlife spot for people watching. Quiet compared to its neighbors, Cornelis is popular with the early evening crowd. An impressive draft list is accompanied by an extensive food menu.
If you’re looking for a relaxed, informal spot for a simple yet delicious pub-grub style meal, Cornelis is the spot for you. Their steaks are the star of the show, but there’s plenty of seafood options on offer too. And, as always in The Netherlands, there are always vegan and vegetarian dishes on the menu.
De Après Skihut
My personal go-to for late night frivolity, De Apres Skihut is a cornerstone of Rotterdam nightlife. Calm and unsuspecting by day, when most have turned in for the night, the Skihut is only just getting started.
Don’t be put off by the airport-style security scanning to get in, it’s all part of the après ski experience. The drinks are cheap, the crowd is young and the music is always booming. Open until 5 am at weekends and 4 am on weekdays, De Apres Skihut is the perfect end to a night seeking out the best Rotterdam nightlife.
De Beurs
On Kruiskade, just off Stadhuisplein, De Beurs is the place to go if you love “proper pubs”. The centrepiece of this classic wood-panelled café is the round island bar. Take a seat here and get chatting with the locals or fellow travellers, or for a bit more privacy, grab one of the booths around the edge.
Beer and wine are the usual drinks of choice for De Beurs’s regulars, but if you fancy something stronger, they have a full compliment of spirits too. Plus, there’s bar snacks late in to the night and indulgent sandwiches and burgers on the menu all day long. They’re open until 5 am at weekends, but closed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays.
Witte de Withstraat
We’ve saved the best until last. A long time stalwart of the Rotterdam nightlife scene, Witte de Withstraat is buzzing at all hours of the day (and night). Old timey Dutch cafes share the street with hip new brew pubs and classy cocktail bars. No matter what your scene, Witte de Withstraat is a must on any Rotterdam nightlife experience.
De Witte Aap
The White Ape in English, De Witte Aap is more than just a curious name. Rated Lonely Planet’s best bar in the world of 2009, no guide to Rotterdam nightlife could exclude this Witte de Withstraat institution. A true bar, there’s no fancy menu, just classic bar snacks and a never-ending tap list.
Beer lovers will instantly fall in love and may never be able to leave. De Witte Aap have more than fifty on the menu, including classic European pilsners, sours, fruity ciders and plenty of non-alcoholic options. If you’re not in the mood for hops, there’s a strong wine list, an extensive spirit selection and excellent coffee too. De Witte Aap is open is every day from 3 pm to 4 am.
De Zondebok & t’Zwarte Schaap
Even if you only come for the name, you can’t claim to have experienced Rotterdam nightlife without stopping at De Zondebok & t’Zwarte Schaap. Another of my favorite spots, The Scapegoat & Black Sheep to give the bar its English name is an experience in itself.
No matter the weather, the heated terrace is the place to be. In summer, head out into their rear courtyard to experience their urban beach. De Zondebok is open daily until 4 am (5 am at weekends) and hosts regular live sets from Thursday to Saturday. They don’t have a kitchen, but if you get peckish, you can order a burger from the restaurant next door which will be delivered to your table.
Dutch Dukes
A Dutch take on an English gastropub, Dutch Dukes is long standing Witte de Withstraat favorite. Founded by an Englishman known simply as “the duke”, he inherited a family estate in London and didn’t take to his new found status as British aristocracy. Deciding he wasn’t cut out for caviar and champagne, he made a run for the border and set up shop right here in Rotterdam.
A curious story, but a stroke of luck for anyone out to sample the Rotterdam nightlife scene. The drink menu is exactly what you’d expect; plenty of draft beer, a short but varied wine list and all the spirits you could want. The Dukes’ real draw, though, is the food. From Full English breakfasts to fish & chips and sticky toffee pudding, if it’s British, they’ve got it.
Open daily, hours vary day to day, so check before you visit. They also host regular events, including classic pub quizzes.
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