De Witte Aap ★ 4.4
The anchor of Rotterdam's most famous bar street since 1973, well-regarded for craft Dutch beers, late-night energy, and free live music every weekend.
Cocktail bars, wine bars, dive bars and gastropubs: drinking in Rotterdam for grown-ups.
Where to drink
Spikizi Bar ★ 4.3
Hidden in Katendrecht's former sailors' quarter, Spikizi blends West African flavour profiles into its cocktail programme, pairing dark rum and mezcal.
Proeflokaal Reijngoud ★ 4.5
Rotterdam's finest genever proeflokaal (tasting room), stocking over 100 Dutch and Belgian genevers in a tiled interior that has survived since the late 19th.
Mavis ★ 4.2
Perched above the Maas on the Westzeedijk, Mavis pairs creative seasonal cocktails with one of the best sunset-over-the-river terraces in the city.
NY Basement ★ 4.1
In the basement of the New York Hotel on Kop van Zuid, NY Basement channels Manhattan energy with DJ sets, cocktails, and intimate jazz evenings until 4am.
La Soiree ★ 4.2
A bistro-style bar on the Veerhaven sailing harbour, La Soiree pairs oysters and charcuterie with natural wines and classic cocktails on one.
Ballroom Rotterdam ★ 4.0
A long-running restaurant and gin tonic bar on Witte de Withstraat pouring more than 160 gins from across the globe, with a back garden terrace and resident.
Cafe Cuba ★ 4.0
The closest thing to a Havana paladare on Witte de Withstraat, Cafe Cuba pours honest mojitos and rum cocktails to a salsa soundtrack most nights of the week.
Kaapse Maria ★ 4.3
The Kaapse Brouwers taproom inside the Fenix Food Factory serves the full Kaapse range fresh from the tanks with Maas harbour views and a food-factory.
Louie Louie ★ 4.1
A moody, candlelit cocktail lounge on Botersloot with signature drinks built around Dutch botanicals and a kitchen churning out cured meats and cheese plates.
Bierlokaal Locus Publicus ★ 4.0
A beloved Rotterdam bruin cafe in a former De Gruyter shop on Oostzeedijk, Locus Publicus pours more than 200 Belgian and Dutch specialty beers with 15 rotating taps under original 1900 tile tableaux.
Bokaal Rotterdam ★ 4.2
A minimalist tap-and-wine bar on Kruiskade with 25 craft lines and a selected short wine list. Craft beer and wine bar. Reservations advised.
Rotown ★ 4.3
Rotterdam's most beloved music bar and indie venue, Rotown has launched local bands and hosted cult acts since 1993, with a bar open until 4 AM on weekend.
Loos ★ 4.0
A sprawling waterfront grand cafe on the Wilhelminapier with one of the best harbour terraces in the city, drawing after-work drinkers and weekend brunch.
De Tuin van de Vier Windstreken ★ 4.0
A grand cafe and brasserie housed in an 1867 mansion between the De Lelie and De Ster windmills at the Kralingse Plas. Located in Kralingen.