The 13 Most Fun Pub Crawls through Rotterdam. Cheers!

Rotterdam, a city known for its modern architecture, vibrant culture and dynamic harbour, also offers a vibrant nightlife perfect for an unforgettable pub crawl. Whether you're a local looking for new hotspots, or a tourist looking to experience the city in a unique way, a Rotterdam pub crawl is the ideal way to discover the city's diverse and vibrant bar culture.

From historic pubs in the picturesque neighborhoods of the Oude Haven and Delfshaven, to trendy bars and clubs in the lively Witte de Withstraat, Rotterdam has something for everyone. Imagine strolling from one characterful bar to another, enjoying a wide range of drinks, live music and the cozy atmosphere that makes each location unique.

In this article we take you on a journey through the different pub crawls that Rotterdam has to offer. We explore the rich history of the oldest pubs, the hip and modern bars that give the city a contemporary flair, and theme-oriented tours that will tantalize your taste buds and delight your senses. We also share tips and advice to make your pub crawl safe and enjoyable, so you can fully enjoy everything this fantastic city has to offer.

Prepare for an evening full of fun, new discoveries and unforgettable memories. Let's explore Rotterdam's best bars together and discover what makes this dynamic city so special in nightlife. Cheers to a great pub crawl!

1. Oude Haven Pub Crawl

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District/Neighborhood: Oude Haven
Metro station: Blaak
Description: The Old Port is a historic area with a charming mix of old and new architecture. Here you will find cozy bars and restaurants with a beautiful view of the water.
Recommended Stops:

• Vader Kleinjan Café: This café in the Oude Haven is a great place for a pub crawl. It features a large terrace with beautiful historic views, perfect for enjoying the Rotterdam atmosphere while on your way to the next stop.
• Café Pardoen: This authentic Rotterdam pub is a must-visit during your pub crawl. Here the smell of beer has replaced the smell of fresh coffee, and the only coffee you'll find is in their unique beer creations. Enjoy the casual and characteristic atmosphere of this special location.
• Kade 4: This grand café, located on the authentic Oude Haven, is an ideal stop during your pub crawl. Here you can enjoy French-oriented cuisine and the cozy Rotterdam atmosphere.

2. Delfshaven Pub Crawl

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District/Neighbourhood: Delfshaven
Metro station: Delfshaven
Description: Delfshaven is one of the few places in Rotterdam that survived the bombings of the Second World War. This area offers a historic atmosphere with traditional Dutch pubs.
Recommended Stops:

• De Pelgrim: Located at Aelbrechtskolk 12, De Pelgrim offers a versatile experience. Enjoy dishes made with beer and discover their own brews, Pelgrim Beer, awarded in 2011 and 2012. Perfect for a pub crawl and highly recommended.
• 't Ouwe Bruggetje: Located at Voorhaven 6, this versatile restaurant offers quality and hospitality. Enjoy delicious food and self-imported wines on the floating terrace. Highly recommended for your pub crawl.
• Café de Ooievaar: Located in Historic Delfshaven, this is one of the oldest and coziest cafés in Rotterdam. Enjoy Rotterdam hospitality, a cup of coffee, a delicious lunch or dinner. There is a wide choice of specialty beers, whiskeys and wines. With a view of historic ships and buildings, a sunny terrace and friendly staff, this is the nicest café in Rotterdam.

3. Witte de Withstraat Pub Crawl

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Street: Witte de Withstraat
Metro station: Eendrachtsplein
Description: This lively street is known for its cultural and nightlife, with numerous bars, cafes and art galleries. It is a hotspot for both locals and tourists.
Recommended Stops:

• De Witte Aap: Voted the best bar in the world by Lonely Planet in 2009. Located on the bustling Witte de Withstraat, open from 1 p.m. to late. Heated terrace and DJs on Saturdays. The building from 1888 was previously a grocery store. A must-visit in Rotterdam!
• NRC: A household name on Witte de Withstraat. This metropole café changes from a café-restaurant to a club every weekend. An iconic place in Rotterdam.
• Café De Zondebok & 't Zwarte Schaap: A household name on Witte de Withstraat since 2010. This café is open every day until the late hours. Visitors can enjoy the cozy bar all year round and the heated terrace in winter or the shade of parasols in summer.

4. Market Hall and surroundings Pub Crawl

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District/Neighbourhood: Center, around the Markthal
Metro station: Blaak
Description: The Markthal and surrounding areas are modern attractions with a wide range of food and drink options.
Recommended Stops:

• Café Van Zanten: An ideal stop during your pub crawl, with the sunniest terrace in Rotterdam. During the day you can enjoy lunch with sandwiches or a burger. In the evening you can have drinks until late with beers, wine, cocktails and an extensive range of snacks.
• Pol: An icon on the Meent in Rotterdam for more than 25 years. A perfect stop during your pub crawl for fun with friends. Pol now offers even more: tasty beers, nice wines, delicious home-made dishes and nice drink bites. Everything in a beautiful new store on the Meent.
• Bokaal: The city café of Rotterdam, located in the trendy Nieuwe Markt. A must-visit on your pub crawl, with a vibrant atmosphere, delicious European and local dishes, and a dynamic range of beers. Whether you are a beer lover, foodie, or looking for fun with friends, Bokaal offers Rotterdam at its best

5. Katendrecht Pub Crawl

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District/Neighbourhood: Katendrecht
Metro station: Rijnhaven
Description: Katendrecht, also known as 'De Kaap', is a trendy district with a rich maritime history. The area is now full of hip bars and eateries.
Recommended Stops:

• Café De Ouwehoer An attractive café in the illustrious Katendrecht, which gives a nod to times gone by. Although less than a decade old, it feels like a classic. Katendrecht was once known for its hundreds of bars, sex, drugs and rock & roll. A perfect, nostalgic stop during your pub crawl.
• Norge: The oldest and coziest brown café in Katendrecht in Rotterdam. A perfect stop during your pub crawl for a well-deserved drink and a good dose of fun in a friendly atmosphere. When the weather is good you can enjoy the cozy outdoor terrace.
• Kaapse Brouwers: Located on Katendrecht in the Fenix Food Factory, this tasting room offers a fantastic view over the Maas and more than 20 craft beers on tap. Enjoy beers from their own brewery and from other interesting breweries worldwide. Don't forget to visit the 'Bottleshop' for an exceptional range of craft beers and natural wines. A must-stop during your pub crawl.

6. Meent Pub Crawl

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Street: Meent
Metro station: City Hall
Description: De Meent is a popular shopping street that also comes alive in the evening with various bars and restaurants.
Recommended Stops:

• 1NUL8: Located on the always pleasant and busy Meent in the center of Rotterdam. This restaurant and wine bar, named after its home address Meent 108, offers a nice selection of wines, from accessible to high-end options. With a touch of hipster allure, 1NUL8 also offers gin and tonics, but remains primarily a wine bar. Regularly well stocked and a perfect stop during your pub crawl.
• Thoms: Right in the center on the bustling Meent, THOMS is a fast-growing hotspot. Start your day with coffee, lunch or drinks on the sunny terrace. During the weekend the underground bar turns into a club with Rotterdam DJs. A perfect place for your pub crawl, where you can spend the whole day.
• De Huismeester: Located in a historic building at Meent 115, De Huismeester welcomes you in a homely, modern atmosphere with a nod to the past. Inspired by encounters with people from all over the world, he offers a 'home' where everyone can enjoy beautiful experiences. As a true connoisseur and gentleman, top service and quality come first. A special stop during your pub crawl.

7. Nieuwe Binnenweg Pub Crawl

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Street: Nieuwe Binnenweg
Metro station: Eendrachtsplein
Description: This long street offers an eclectic mix of old and new bars, with something for everyone.
Recommended Stops:

• Café Steijn: Located on the corner of the Nieuwe Binnenweg and the Heemraadsingel, this lively café offers a cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and an extensive selection of drinks and dishes. A meeting place for locals and visitors since 2017. Enjoy this historic building with its beautiful art-deco facade at the bar, a table or on the sunny terrace. Perfect for your pub crawl.
• Café Stalles: Eating café in the heart of Rotterdam, open 7 days a week for lunch, dinner and drinks. Plenty of choice with 100 different specialty beers, more than 190 types of whiskey and an extensive selection of wines, soft drinks, ciders and cocktails. A perfect stop during your pub crawl.
• Wester Pavilion: An icon at the intersection of Mathenesserlaan and Nieuwe Binnenweg for over twenty years. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or cocktails on the spacious terrace all day long. This corner building exudes the atmosphere of the Old West. On Sunday afternoons, vinyl records are played as a tribute to the musical past of the Nieuwe Binnenweg. A must-visit during your pub crawl.

8. Kop van Zuid Pub Crawl

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District/Neighborhood: Kop van Zuid
Metro station: Wilhelminaplein
Description: This modern area on the south side of the Maas has a number of stylish bars and restaurants with beautiful views of the Rotterdam skyline.
Recommended Stops:

• Hotel New York: Located in the former headquarters of the Holland America Line on the Kop van Zuid, Hotel New York offers a unique stop during your pub crawl. Here you feel the nostalgia of thousands of emigrants who left for North America. Nowadays you can enjoy a drink in this special atmosphere, surrounded by historical details such as the wrought iron hotel stairs and old suitcases. An iconic place where history is still alive.
• Café Dox: Welcome to the living room on the Kop van Zuid. Located in the new Luxor Theater overlooking the Rijnhaven, Café Dox offers a stage to Rotterdam. Perfect for a stop during your pub crawl.
• Gastrobar Elvy by nhow: Located on the seventh floor of nhow Rotterdam, this gastrobar offers a beautiful view of the skyline and the Erasmus Bridge. Enjoy a wide range of drinks on the rooftop terrace, perfect for a stop on your pub crawl. The city's best views and sunsets are here.

9. Scheepvaartkwartier Pub Crawl

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District/Neighbourhood: Scheepvaartkwartier
Metro station: Leuvehaven
Description: A chic neighborhood with historic buildings and stylish bars, ideal for a more luxurious pub crawl.
Recommended Stops:

• Café Loos: A classic grand café with grandeur on the Maas, ideal for your pub crawl. This elegant café, known as Paris aan de Maas, is the perfect place to enjoy a nice drink. Here you can escape the hurried life and experience the joie de vivre in an atmospheric setting.
• Riverbar: Located on the Nieuwe Maas with a view of the Erasmus Bridge, River Bar offers an ideal stop during your pub crawl. Enjoy wines and European cuisine in a relaxed, yet high-quality setting. The spacious terrace and the vibrant Rotterdam atmosphere make it a perfect place for a drink from noon until the evening.
• The Harbor Club: Located in a beautiful historic building in Het Park, The Harbor Club offers a luxurious experience for your pub crawl. Enjoy a glass of wine or cocktails on the serene terrace, surrounded by greenery, and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Events with music are regularly organized here, making it a stylish and lively stop in Rotterdam.

10. Cool District Pub Crawl

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District/Neighborhood: Cool District
Metro station: City Hall
Description: The Cool District in the center of Rotterdam is an area full of hip bars, restaurants and nightlife.
Recommended Stops:

• Café Plein: Located on Stadhuisplein, Café Plein is the nicest party café in Rotterdam. During the day you can enjoy the tastiest drinks here, and on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the café turns into a vibrant party location. Party fever guaranteed, perfect for a stop during your pub crawl with friends, colleagues or family.
• The Après Ski Hut: The nicest party café in the Netherlands, located in Rotterdam. Here, students, lawyers, construction workers and directors participate in the polonaise together, seven days a week. Whether moving forwards, backwards or limping on one leg, this pub always provides unforgettable anecdotes. An absolute must-visit during your pub crawl.
• Get Back: Relive the 70's, 80's and 90's in this cozy café. On Friday and Saturday evenings, The Friendly 30UP organizes a party with the best hits of the past. Perfect for your pub crawl, Get Back offers a unique experience full of nostalgia. You can also go here for incentives, such as the Tunes van Toen dinner, a game show with a three-course dinner and quiz master. A nice stop where the birthday boy or girl, bachelor or jubilee is put in the spotlight.

11. Hofbogen Pub Crawl

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Street: Hofstromen
Metro station: Blijdorp
Description: The Hofbogen is a former railway viaduct that has been converted into a trendy hotspot with bars, restaurants and creative companies.
Recommended Stops:

• Jack: Our House is your house! This restaurant and bar celebrates 30 years of dance music in Rotterdam. Jack is all about solidarity and positivity through music and good food. Enjoy delicious dishes and cocktails while you are taken back to the time of the best parties and music. A lively and unique stop during your pub crawl. See you soon!
• Bird: A unique stage and restaurant in Rotterdam where music culture and food tradition come together. Here you can enjoy jazz and related music movements such as soul, Latin, funk, hip hop, Afrobeat and electronica. The programming is often supplemented with performance, poetry, film and visual arts, all with a link to jazz. A cultural and lively stop during your pub crawl.
• Roosje: A real Rotterdam café with a cozy bar and a warm, homely atmosphere. The perfect meeting place for a drink during your pub crawl. Enjoy a wide range of specialty beers and gins from local brewers, and a wide choice of drinks snacks and dishes to share. Ideal for a relaxing and fun stop in Rotterdam.

12. Kruiskade Pub Crawl

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Street: Kruiskade
Metro station: City Hall
Description: This street is known for its diversity and has some great bars and restaurants.
Recommended Stops:

• De Beurs: Located in the heart of Rotterdam, this former cinema foyer is now a lively restaurant, bar and club in one. Ideal for a nice drink during the day, and a popular place for dinner and fantastic club nights in the evening. A versatile and lively stop during your pub crawl.
• TIWYA: This Is What You Are (TIWYA) is a restaurant, bar and club in one. Here you can enjoy traditional Indonesian dishes with a luxurious, modern twist, accompanied by exotic cocktails. When the gong sounds late in the evening, TIWYA turns into a club where you can dance wonderfully. A versatile and lively stop during your pub crawl.
• Villa Thalia: Where the Thalia cinema once welcomed film lovers, Villa Thalia now radiates luxury and style as a new entertainment venue. This unique location offers 360 degree projections, flying machines and continuous entertainment. Enjoy cinema-style dinner shows, followed by an evening of clubbing. From Thursday to Saturday, Villa Thalia turns into a dazzling club where every minute is different. A spectacular stop during your pub crawl..

13. Breweries Pub Crawl

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Did you enjoy your pub crawl through Rotterdam and are you ready for more? Why not continue with a pub crawl of the city's best breweries? Discover six unique breweries where you can sample craft beers and take fascinating tours. A perfect way to continue your beer adventure in Rotterdam. Read more and plan your next pub crawl at Beer breweries in Rotterdam.

10 Useful tips for an unforgettable pub crawl in Rotterdam

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• 1. Please bring a valid ID:
  If you are blessed with a youthful appearance, it is important to carry ID to show that you are of legal drinking age.
• 2. Soft drugs:
  Although Rotterdam has a liberal attitude towards soft drugs, they are only allowed in special coffee shops. Do not use soft drugs in other venues, as this is not always tolerated by organizers and fellow visitors. So be respectful and take this into account.
• 3. High heels:
  Consider wearing flats instead of high heels because you'll be walking a lot, not just dancing!
• 4. Plan your route:
  Decide in advance which bars and cafes you want to visit and mark them on your map of Rotterdam. This way you always know where to go and how to get back to your accommodation at the end of the evening.
• 5. Stay hydrated:
  Drink a glass of water occasionally between alcoholic drinks to stay hydrated and prevent a hangover.
• 6. Eat enough:
  Start your pub crawl with a good meal and possibly eat something in between to ensure that you don't get drunk too quickly.
• 7. Go in a group:
  Pub crawls are the most fun and safer when you go with a group of friends. Make sure you keep an eye on each other.
• 8. Cash and debit card:
  Although most bars accept card payments, it is useful to have some cash with you just in case.
• 9. Know your limits:
  Be aware of your alcohol tolerance and drink in moderation to ensure you stay safe and enjoyable.
• 10. Plan your transportation:
  Arrange in advance how you will get home at the end of the evening, whether that is by public transport, a taxi or a pre-arranged BOB.

With these tips you are well prepared for a great and safe pub crawl through Rotterdam. Have fun!