Looking for a place to go for a drink in Leeuwarden? With 20,000 students, there are plenty of bars in the city. After our city walks, we are happy to give you tips on the best places to go drinking in Leeuwarden. Below we have described some of our favorite places. You can also find them on our map.
1. De Markies
This is the Craft beer café in Leeuwarden with more than 250 beers on their menu and 12 different beers on tap. Be sure to try their house beer Grutte Pier. This beer was made together with brewer Frans Filius and was voted the best triple in the Netherlands at the World Beer Awards in 2016. Owners Menno and Michelle have helped with the brewing themselves and are also happy to advise you about all the other beers on their menu. Location: Groot Schavernek 19, Open: Tues-Thu from 4:00pm-1:00pm, Fri-Sat 3:00pm-2:00pm, Sun 3:00pm-9:00pm
2. Vino en Verder Winebar
Do you enjoy a glass of wine? Then you should definitely visit Gosse’s Wine Bar. It is tucked away behind an alleyway off Nieuwestad. This little square is a wonderful place to relax, especially in summer, away from all the hustle and bustle. Location: Wolvesteeg 5, Open: Wed-Sun 3 p.m.-midnight
3. Paddy O’Ryan
The Irish pub in Leeuwarden. In the Irish Pub you will be served by native English speaking staff. You can watch sports all day long, there is regular live music and you can also have dinner there. Location: Tweebaksmarkt 49 Open: Sun-Thurs 12:00-1:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-2:00.
4. Boel Leeuwarden
A very nice place in the former theatre Zalen Schaaf. From the afternoon to midnight, you can go to Boel for a nice drink while playing a game of Pétanque (boules or Jeu de Boules) or one of the many board games. Games, company and a drink is always a good combo. If you already started in the afternoon, you can just stick around here as they also have a fine kitchen. Location: Breedstraat 48, Monday and tuesday closed.
5. Café de Strohoed
A cozy brown café with a young and diverse audience and alternative rock/pop in the playlist. They serve many different specialty beers with a varying selection each week. There are also many (board) games available at the Café. A really nice place to go drinking in Leeuwarden. Location: Eewal 72
6. Cocktailbar Dr. Watson
Dr. Watson is a speak easy cocktail bar in the basement of Restaurant Spinoza. You really have to look for it. But once you have found the golden numbers 221B, you can go down the stairs to the bar. Address: Eewal
7. Huize Kwast
A beautiful terrace on the canal and inside, the place has an attractive and modern interior. Huize Kwast has an extensive drinks menu with various beers and a wide selection of delicious cocktails. Would you like to try a cocktail other than your usual choice? Then this is the place! Huize Kwast used to be one of Mata Hari’s favourite places because her best friend Henriette Kwast lived here. Location: Nieuwestad 75
8. Grand Café de Dikke van Dale
De Dikke van Dale is a stately grand café with an extravagant interior and cosy corners, making it a very pleasant place to sit, and it has an extensive beer menu (‘the beer book’). When the weather is nice, they also have a lovely terrace boat.
Address: Nieuwestad 69
9. Lazy Lemon
It’s a lovely place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But it’s also a great spot for a drink. On the first floor, there’s a large play area for your children in the kids’ corner, so you can enjoy all the delicious items on the menu. Location: Ruiterskwartier 135A
10. In de Brouwerij
(In the brewery) is located in a very beautiful historic building that they have restored very nicely and there are also a number of new murals placed by Art-Decor. They also brew their own beer!
Address: Ruiterskwartier 115
11. Café de Pastorie
The café owned by the striking Liwwadder Sjon is located in Leeuwarden’s cosiest shopping street. This authentic little Liwwadder café is decorated with many statues of Mary, angels, murals and other decorative pieces. A diverse crowd gathers here, usually not shy about striking up a conversation while listening to hits from Back in the Day!
Address: Kleine Kerkstraat 9
Explore more tips about Leeuwarden or check the various walking tours we offer to discover the city with one of our guides!