Weekend is finally here and it’s time to go out and enjoy a well deserved cocktail in Rotterdam with your date, friends or colleagues. But what’s the best place to go?
Rotterdam offers so many options, which can make the decision really hard sometimes. But we are here to help you make the right choices and share the best places to drink a cocktail in Rotterdam.
Need more inspiration for places to have a drink? Check out our article with great spots for drinks in Rotterdam.
1. Spikizi
Spikizi is a small bar hidden in one of the side streets of the popular Witte de With street. This trendy and cosy bar is a great place to catch up with friends and enjoy one of their tasty cocktails.
We recommend the White Choco Pornstar!
The name Spikizi is a reference to the secret speak-easy bars that existed in 1880 in Pennsylvania, USA. Lots of bars started operating under the radar of the law, because of the high cost of licensing a bar. This made many owners very cautious and they would often hush loud visitors with the phrase “speak easy.”
Address
Zwarte Paardenstraat 91a, 3012 VK Rotterdam
2. Williams Canteen
At Williams Canteen they work according to an all-day concept. That means that in addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can also sit down for a delicious cocktail!
Everything here has been thought through: the interior – which gives a nod to the 1930s, the tasteful coffee, the unique dishes and of course the cocktails. The cocktails have carefully been created and are in some cases even served in a can; a unique twist that they have mastered at Williams Canteen.
With their location around the corner from Witte de Withstraat, it is a great place to start, spend or end your Friday or Saturday night.
Address
William Boothlaan 5A, 3012 VG Rotterdam
3. Kite
Kite is really unique. Their food is Afghan, the interior is very trendy and the cocktails are absolutely delicious. How great is it to not order fried bitterballen for a change, but have tasty pies or naan bread with dip sauces with your drink!
Also make sure to try their mocktails, like the High as a Kite, which tastes surprisingly good!
Besides the fact that the snacks and drinks at Kite are delicious, the interior is worth mentioning as well! That’s why Kite definitely earns a spot in our article with the instagrammable hotspots in Rotterdam.
Address
Westblaak 160, 3012 KM Rotterdam
4. Calaboose
Calaboose, located in Kralingen, is a great place for cocktails. Especially on beautiful sunny days itâs a top choice, because of the spacious terrace where thereâs enough seating for large groups.
In addition to a cocktail, try one of the Indonesian dishes from the menu, such as the saté or gado gado. A fun night is guaranteed!
Curious about more places to spend a sunny day? Read our article with the collection of sunny terraces in Rotterdam!
Address
Oudedijk 273, 3061 AK Rotterdam
5. Botanero
Botanero is an awesome bar where you can spend the entire evening, whilst enjoying delicious cocktails and snacks.
Classic cocktails, such as the Frozen Margarita, Dark & Stormy and the Pornstar Martini, are served with a surprising twist. Most ingredients, such as rhubarb sorbet and even the vodka and ginger beer, are made in the bar.
Address
Mariniersweg 55, 3011 NE Rotterdam
6. MAVIS
At MAVIS, the little sister of BIRD, it’s all about music, culinary bites and tasty cocktails. on the ground floor you share tasty snacks according to the shared-dining principle, while one floor down there is a DJ booth and fun parties regularly take place.
And when the sun is shining, the windows will open up and you can take a seat on the large terrace!
Address
Westzeedijk 68a, 3016 AG Rotterdam
7. SHIN
SHIN on the Rodezand doesn’t only offer amazing Japanese dishes to share. Here they also have a bar that offers a big drink menu.
It’s even possible to order a drink in the afternoon. On the menu you will find classic cocktails with a Japanese twist, such as the Geisha-Star Martini with sake.
What’s also cool: the bartenders at SHIN are given complete freedom to experiment and therefore often work outside the menu. So do you like a surprise? Tell your favourite flavours to the bartender and receive a personalized drink.
Adres
Rodezand 23B-25, 3011 AM Rotterdam
8. La Soirée
Sssst, this cocktail bar is top secret! An evening at La Soirée is a complete total experience full of mystery, from finding the secret location to discovering the surprises inside the bar.
Award-winning bartender Ben Lobos and partner Loesje Tieleman (owner Louise Petit Restaurant) opened this special evening bar in April 2023, inspired by other major world cities what they were still missing in Rotterdam.
The chic, romantic atmosphere takes you back to a timeless French ambiance for a moment, while you enjoy cocktails that will stay with you. Try one of their nine signature cocktails, each with their own story, or opt for classic cocktails with a La Soirée twist.
Address
Secret location in Scheepvaartkwartier, reservations possible via Whatsapp on their socials.
9. Ayla
Using Ayla’s special infusions, the bartender creates deliciously tasting cocktails. This means that the basis of the cocktail – such as gin and vodka – is made with delicious herbs and spices. Think of flavors such as Concord grape, grapefruit, rose leaf, rosemary, fennel, basil and chili.
All cocktails go well with the dishes, but are also certainly worth a try during an evening at the bar.
Did you know that Ayla is also one of the best places for tapas? Check our article about the best tapas in Rotterdam!
Address
Kruisplein 153, 3014 DD Rotterdam
10. Supermercado
What could be better than cocktails? Cocktails with nachos on the side! Supermercado is a modern bar with a great atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re in Latin America.
Besides the delicious cocktails, you can order tacos, ensaladas, meat from the grill and other delicious bites.
Address
Schiedamse Vest 91A, 3012 BG Rotterdam
11. Amehoela
A melting pot of the tropics with a Rotterdam edge. This neo-tiki bar has a wonderful tropical vibe and serves, in addition to tropical street food, of course, cocktails.
With a lovely terrace, lots of plants and good music you will find yourself in paradise!
Address
Mauritsweg 33, 3012 JT Rotterdam
12. Madam Chen
A trendy hotspot with a very nice concept. At Madam Chen thereâs more than just delicious Asian dishes; it is also a karaoke bar that serve beautiful cocktails. With their tropical and colorful interior, you can expect the same from their cocktails!
Madam Chen is located right next to the Blaak metro station and is therefore the perfect base for a fun evening.
Address
Kolk 50B, 3011 MD Rotterdam
13. TIWYA
TIWYA stands for This Is What You Are. This stylish bar is a restaurant and club all in one.
So order something from their authentic Indonesian kitchen, together with an exotic (virgin) cocktail. It’s perfectly located in the heart of the city centre, which makes it a perfect place to start your night.
Address
Kruiskade 15, 3012 EE Rotterdam
14. OX
OX is a beautiful restaurant and cocktail bar in one. In addition to enjoying Malaysian Chinese cuisine with Chef Alexander Wong at the helm (known from FG Restaurant, FG Food Labs and The Suicide Club), they have excellent cocktails here.
It’s definitely worth going to OX just for the drinks. The cocktails are made by Jacopo Di Domenico (known from Dr. Rotterdam). When you see the menu you want nothing more than to try everything. What’s also interesting: each drink is inspired by a Chinese zodiac sign.
Address
That’s a secret. Book a table and they will let you know where it is!
15. The Rumah
A cocktail bar with a special name: it means ‘house’ in Indonesian and the word rum is in it; something that owner and Best Bartender Award winner Daryl likes to work with.
On the ‘Oude Binnenweg’, in a beautiful building, he opened a bar with fellow bartender Edward that resembles a combination of an old-fashioned pub and cocktail bar: a cocktail pub. But there’s more than rum in their drinks of course, other spirits are also used for a nice selection of cocktails.
Address
Oude Binnenweg 110C, 3012 JG Rotterdam
16. NY Basement
In the basement of the well-known Hotel New York, you will find restaurant and cocktail bar NY Basement. The cocktail menu consists of their personally chosen favorites, which change regularly. Think of the classics with its own twist, or the NY Basement originals.
Address
Koninginnenhoofd 1, 3072 AD Rotterdam
17. Tikiâs bar
Around the corner from Westblaak and Witte de Withstraat you will find Tikiâs, a Hawaiian surf bar in the middle of our city. In addition to snacks (satay, spring rolls, grilled cheese or a portion of croquettes, anyone?), the cocktails come with a tropical twist!
Address
Hartmansstraat 16-A, 3012 VA Rotterdam
18. 1NUL8 Basement
Fotocredits: RUMFUNK
In the basement of the popular restaurant/bar 1NUL8 you can now once again enjoy the tastiest cocktails and bar bites in a luxurious setting! Under the new name 1NUL8 Basement, a bright, fresh cocktail bar has opened up, where the wavy interior is inspired by the water of the Delftsevaart that you can see through the round portholes.
At 1NUL8 Basement you drink original cocktail creations at the impressive 3D printed bar or enjoy Mediterranean shared dining dishes with your company.
Adress
1e Westewagenhof 1, Rotterdam
19. YOLO
Located in Kralingen, next to the ‘Admiraliteit’ Port, you will find the eye-catching hotspot YOLO.
In the summer a lovely place to enjoy a drink on the terrace (overlooking the water) and in the evenings ideal for a cocktail such as “The Naughty Schoolgirl” or “The Golddigger”.
Address
Admiraliteitsstraat 17B, 3063 EJ Rotterdam
20. On the ROCKX
Photo by Horecainbeeld.nl.
In the Scheepvaartkwartier you can find two concepts under one roof: MARA Restaurant and On The ROCKX Bar.
On the ROCKX is the place to go for great cocktails. Here you will find classics with a Rotterdam twist or just something tasty made by the bartender.
Get yourself a table and enjoy a cocktail with a bite from the small menu!
Address
Van Vollenhovenstraat 19
That’s it, the best places to drink a cocktail in Rotterdam! What is your favorite place to drink a cocktail? Let us know in the comments.
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Spikizi