The best pub crawl in Rotterdam: 10 pubs you won’t want to miss!

1. De Gele Kanarie – Start with a Rotterdam beer We’re kicking off our pub crawl at De Gele Kanarie on Goudsesingel. It’s a cosy, lively spot where you can enjoy a drink both indoors and on the spacious terrace. Inside, you’ll find a playful interior with lots of yellow details, large tables and a relaxed atmosphere. But what really makes this place special is that they brew their own beer in the cellar! You’ll find a range of house-brewed beers, from crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs and heavier speciality beers. A lovely spot to start the afternoon and order a bite to eat. Our beer tip: The Hoppie Blond, an approachable blonde beer from their own brewery.

2. Bokaal – A lively beer bar on the Nieuwemarkt Just a few minutes’ walk away you’ll find Bokaal, one of our favourite spots for a drink in Rotterdam. The large terrace on the Nieuwemarkt is particularly lovely when the sun is shining. Inside, there’s a warm, relaxed pub atmosphere with plenty of wood, cosy tables and a long bar. With around 11 beers on tap and 80 in bottles, there’s plenty to choose from for every beer lover – from easy-drinking lagers to unique speciality beers from local breweries. It gets pleasantly busy here, especially on Friday afternoons and at the weekend. Our beer tip: Try one of the Rotterdam speciality beers from the ever-changing beer menu.

3. THOMS – From a cosy drink to dancing in the cellar Right in the heart of the Meent you’ll find THOMS, a stylish yet welcoming venue where there’s always something going on. During the day, the terrace is full of people enjoying a drink in the sun, whilst inside you’ll find a modern interior with warm lighting and a cosy bar. A lovely spot for a speciality beer, a cocktail or a tasty platter of snacks. What many people might not know is that you can also go out at THOMS on Friday and Saturday evenings! From 10.00 pm, the cellar transforms into THOMS Underground, where DJs spin the decks and you can dance until 3.00 am. Worth bearing in mind for your next night out! Our beer tip: Try THOMS Keilen, a house beer brewed especially for THOMS by Brouwerij Noordt.

4. Paddy Murphy’s – A proper Irish pub right in the heart of Rotterdam Time for a completely different atmosphere! At Paddy Murphy’s on Rodezand, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to Ireland for a moment. Think dark wooden furniture, a cosy long bar, subdued lighting and, of course, that typical Irish pub atmosphere. It’s not just about the beer here, but also about a great atmosphere and live music. Musicians regularly take to the stage and major sports matches are shown on the big screen. It can get quite lively here, especially at the weekend. The perfect spot to enjoy a good pint with your friends. Our beer tip: A pint of Murphy’s Irish Stout. A deliciously creamy, dark beer that’s perfectly suited to this Irish pub.

5. Café 't Fust – Pour your own beer at the table! We carry on to Café 't Fust on Stadhuisplein. This café has been around since 1961, making it the oldest café on the square. Inside, there’s the cosy atmosphere of a traditional pub, whilst the large terrace is a lovely place to sit, especially on sunny days. But what we perhaps like best here is that you can order various beers in a 3-litre keg! It’s placed on the table so you and your friends can pour your own beers. How cosy is that? It’s a great addition to a pub crawl, especially with a larger group. Our beer tip: Order a 3-litre table keg – perhaps filled with Texels Skuumkoppe or the pub’s own ‘t Fust Blond – and pour your own beer!

6. Café Sijf – An authentic traditional pub After Stadhuisplein, we walk towards the Oude Binnenweg, where you’ll find Café Sijf. A characteristic traditional pub with dark wood, classic details and a warm, cosy atmosphere. There’s no overly trendy décor here, just a lovely spot where you can sit at the bar with a good glass of beer. It’s the combination of the historic interior, the relaxed atmosphere and the extensive beer selection that makes Sijf such a great place. With over 70 speciality beers by the bottle, there’s plenty to discover. Our beer tip: Choose a lovely Belgian triple or ask for one of the rotating speciality beers.

7. Belgian Beer Café Boudewijn – A little piece of Belgium in Rotterdam Just a short walk further on, you’ll find Belgian Beer Café Boudewijn on the Nieuwe Binnenweg. As soon as you step inside, you’ll feel as though you’ve stumbled upon a traditional Belgian café. Dark wooden furniture, cosy corners and a warm atmosphere make this a lovely place to linger for a while. But did you know that Boudewijn also has a beautiful courtyard garden? It’s one of the nicest spots to sit, especially on warmer days. With 24 beers on tap and over 200 bottled varieties, there’s a huge selection to choose from. From light blond beers to robust Belgian quadrupels. Our beer tip: A classic Tripel Karmeliet, if it’s on the menu. Deliciously full-bodied and spicy.

8. Kaapse Maria – Craft beer in a cosy bistro We walk back towards the city centre and arrive at Kaapse Maria on Mauritsweg. This cosy bistro is part of Kaapse Brouwers and has a slightly different feel to the other cafés on our route. Expect a warm, quirky interior, cosy tables and a relaxed atmosphere. Here, it’s all about special craft beers, natural wines and delicious dishes to share. On tap, you’ll find a selection of Kaapse’s own beers and a rotating selection from independent breweries. A lovely spot to sit back and relax for a while and try something special. Our beer tip: Let yourself be surprised by one of Kaapse Brouwers’ own beers.

9. Reijngoud Tasting Room – A paradise for craft beer enthusiasts We continue our route to Reijngoud Tasting Room on the corner of Schiedamse Vest and Witte de Withstraat. This is one of those typical Rotterdam beer cafés where there’s always a great atmosphere. Inside, you’ll find a relaxed pub atmosphere with plenty of wood and a cosy bar, whilst the large terrace fills up completely, especially when the weather’s fine. With no fewer than 20 beers on tap and over 200 in bottles, the choice is huge! From crisp lagers to robust IPAs and unusual stouts. It’s also the perfect spot for a tasty snack to go with your drink. Our beer tip: Try a delicious speciality beer from Jopen Brewery, such as the Jopen Mooie Nel IPA if it’s available.

10. Bierboutique – The perfect way to round off your night on Witte de Withstraat We round off our pub crawl at Bierboutique on Witte de Withstraat. A cosy, lively spot where craft beer takes centre stage, but where you can also happily linger at the weekend for a night out. Inside, you’ll find a warm, atmospheric interior with a cosy bar and a relaxed vibe. With over 90 different speciality beers, there’s a huge choice here. Can’t decide? Then ask for the handwritten beer guide, which features a selection of exceptional speciality beers. It’s fun just to flick through it! From crisp IPAs to dark stouts and robust tripels, there’s something here for every beer lover. And the great thing is that after your last beer, you’ll find yourself right on Witte de Withstraat, where the evening is far from over. Our beer tip: Ask for the handwritten beer menu and why not choose a speciality beer you’ve never tried before!

Ready for your pub crawl through Rotterdam? Ten pubs, dozens of different beers and, above all, plenty of fun! What makes this route so enjoyable is that you’ll discover a different atmosphere at every stop. From a Rotterdam-based brewery to an Irish pub, and from cosy traditional pubs to unique craft beer bars. Our tip: Set off nice and early, order a few tasty snacks along the way and, above all, take your time to enjoy the different pubs. Of course, you don’t have to drink alcohol at every stop.

Have fun and cheers from Hotspots For You!