There have been quite some changes in Rotterdam’s craft beer scene since I wrote my first blog in 2017. Eurotrash closed and this summer Vet & Lazy opened a Pub-Up bar. Time for an update on my favorite Rotterdam craft beer bars! This is by no means a complete list of beer bars in town, but my personal recommendations. I have included my favorites and the best bars, ones I think are worth visiting if you are looking for good craft beer choices.
1. Brouwerij Noordt
Nothing beats drinking fresh beer amidst the tanks they were brewed in! The taproom has 20 taps with Noordt beers. They don’t serve guest beers, but for sure there will always be a beer on tap to your liking. If you can’t choose, I recommend ordering a flight. On Fridays and Saturdays they also invite a foodtruck to service delicious food (veggie options available). The brewery is located in a former fire station and has a huge outdoor terrace where they organize great parties on a regular basis. Check the website for brewery tours.
(Address: Zaagmolenkade 46; website)
2. Vet & Lazy Pub-Up bar
While Vet & Lazy are waiting to open their own taproom in their brewery in Blue City, they are temporarily serving their beers in a fun location in the famous ‘White House’ in the Oude Haven. It’s such a perfect place for a craft beer bar, that I am hoping they will keep it as a 2nd location when their brewery taproom opens!
(Address: Geldersekade 1A; website)
3. KAAPSE Bars
Kaapse Brouwers currently has two bars and is opening a third one this year. Kaapse Kaap has 20 taps and is located on Kop van Zuid in Fenix I, which houses also other culinary-related vendors, like Booij Kaasmakers and Jordy’s Bakery. Near the Central Station you will find Kaapse Maria, which has 24 taps and also serves delicious food. The new bar Kaapse Will’ns will be located on the popular Nieuwe Binnenweg.
4. BrewDog Rotterdam
Located downtown behind City Hall, BrewDog opened their first Dutch bar during the summer of 2020. It has everything you can expect from a BrewDog bar with a few special extras, like their own brewery setup (which they call Outpost), a big outdoor terracen and table taps so you can pour your very own beers. The vegan bitterballen are my favorite, I can’t get enough of them!
(Address: Halvemaanpassage 1; website)
5. Brewpub Reijngoud
This is Reijngoud’s second venue. Their first bar opened in 2012 on the popular Witte de Withstraat. In 2019 they opened their brewpub on the Vijverhofstraat (the former Eurotrash location), with a large selection of beer and nice pub food. They kept the industrial and artistic vibe going, giving it a very unique atmosphere. The brewpub is open from Thursday to Sunday. Entrepreneur Aren Reijngoud also owns Biercafé Boudewijn (nr 8 in this list).
(Address: Vijverhofstraat 10; website)
6. Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim
De Pelgrim was established in 1996 and is located in a historic 700 year old building in the beautiful area of Delfshaven. All their beers are brewed in-house. They have a nice restaurant with a view of Delfshaven and the canal. I recommend ordering a flight to go with your vegan bitterballen!
(Address: Aelbrechtskolk 12; website)
7. Verward
Café Verward is a lovely wine and beer bar in the Hoogkwartier close to the Markthal. Ward is the perfect host, he always knows how to choose the wine or beer that is perfect for you. They also have a small menu with delicious food dishes.
Check out the Verward behind-the-scenes story here.
(Address: Hoogstraat 69A; website)
8. Belgisch Biercafé Boudewijn
This bar is located on the trendy and vibrant Nieuwe Binnenweg. Popular with the locals, they have 18 taps and a very extensive choice of beer bottles. They serve good pub food and put on fun little beer festivals during the year on their terrace out back.
(Address: Nieuwe Binnenweg 53a-b; website)
9. Haagse Bluf
Just off of the Meent you’ll find a cozy beer pub popular with locals not only for their great atmosphere and good beers, but also their cheese fondue and flammkuchen (and other pub food). They have a rotating 010 tap, so there is always a fresh local Rotterdam beer on tap!
(Address: Haagseveer 90; website)
10. Bokaal
On a sunny day this is the place to be! Café Bokaal has one of the best terraces in town. Located in the center near the market, so easy to reach and a great stop during a shopping trip.
(Address: Nieuwemarkt 11; website)
11. Proeflokaal Faas
(Address: Zwaanhals 248B; website)
Mooie plekken om eens bier te gaan drinken in Rotterdam!