Leeuwarden may not be the biggest city in the Netherlands, but when it comes to nightlife, we manage to pack a surprising amount into just a few square kilometers. And we can tell you: you never have to walk far here to find your next drink, dance floor, or good anecdote. All the pubs and bars are close together, allowing you to effortlessly hop from pub to club – or simply stick around for your first beer!
From cozy brown pubs where time seems to stand still to trendy cocktail bars and vibrant clubs where you can dance the night away: going out in Leeuwarden is diverse and fun. And believe us, after just one night out, you'll understand exactly what we mean.
The nicest cafes in Leeuwarden
Fire Café-Restaurant is a cozy eatery in the heart of the city center at Nieuwestad 47 in Leeuwarden.
De Dikke van Dale is located at Nieuwestad 69 in the center of Leeuwarden. It is the…
Enjoy a bite and/or a drink in the center of Leeuwarden! This can be done at the bar or…
Gudzekop Brewery & Tasting Room As of May 1st, our tasting room, with shop and brewery, is open in the Blokhuispoort.…
Specialty beer café De Markies is a leading specialty beer café in Leeuwarden, Friesland, where knowledge, service and a warm…
“The place to be, the place to meet”
Enjoy the best cocktails in town! We have an extensive cocktail menu featuring cocktails we developed ourselves. Feeling overwhelmed by choice? Let…
Café de Strohoed is a traditional pub in Leeuwarden where everyone is welcome.
Café De Pastorie stands in the most atmospheric little street in the center of Leeuwarden.
Music café Scooter'S is the music café of Leeuwarden
Hotel Cafe 't Anker is a family hotel housed in 4 characteristic townhouses. The hotel is located…
Opposite the Central Station and within short walking distance of the city center, you have come to the right place…
The Oranje Bierhuis is the oldest café within the city canals.
The Pool, Snooker, and Darts Center of Leeuwarden. Welcome to Poolcentrum All-In in the heart of Leeuwarden! Escape from…
Het Wapen van Leeuwarden has been a household name in Leeuwarden for many years. With us, you can…
Bite, Drinks, and Experience. That is what the Kantelaar is all about. At the beginning of the…
At restaurant Bar Bistro DuCo Leeuwarden, delicious food and convivial dining come together perfectly. Enjoying a culinary experience together…
Musical, whiskey, and craft beer bar
When you talk about going out in Leeuwarden, you immediately think of Ruiterskwartier, Nieuwestad, and Oude Doelesteeg . These are the three places where the nightlife is concentrated. Here you will find everything you need for a successful evening: traditional pubs, student cafes, cocktail bars, and clubs – all within crawling distance of each other.
The best way to approach a pub crawl in Leeuwarden is as follows: start quietly at a café on the Nieuwestad, where the first beers are waiting to be served. Then move on to the Oude Doelesteeg, where the music is louder, the dance floor is smaller, and there is a good chance that within five minutes you will run into someone you either know from university, from the past, or simply really want to meet. And for those who still have energy left, the evening usually ends at a club on the Ruiterskwartier.
Pub crawl in Leeuwarden? Easier than the upcoming exam week. Within a radius of a few hundred meters, you can easily tick off ten pubs. Although you will probably lose count after the fifth one. No hassle with taxis or endless walking; in Leeuwarden, the next stop is always around the corner.

Did someone say… karaoke?!
Are you the nightingale who secretly listens to Engelbewaarder every night (and loves to let everyone hear it), or are you the metalhead who actually has a soft spot for ABBA ? Grab that microphone, open your throat, and let yourself go completely. Anything goes every Thursday night at Muziekcafé Scooters!
From Brown to Sparkling
In the mood for an evening of drinks? In Leeuwarden, you'll find pubs of all shapes and sizes. The classic brown pubs are there for chatting with locals and enjoying a strong draft beer. The student pubs are known for their cheap drinks and packed dance floors. And those looking for something a bit more upscale can opt for a cocktail bar or beer pub with an extensive menu.
Personal tip: order the craft beer on tap at a beer pub and you'll often get a spontaneous lecture on hop varieties thrown in – completely free.

And there is much more!
Fair is fair. The majority of the cafes and clubs are located around the Ruiterskwartier and the Oude Doelesteeg. Nevertheless, we like to keep an open mind and also highlight the nice cafes located elsewhere.
In the Sint Jacobsstraat, we find Café de Spoek , where you can drink the finest whiskies on the weekend. On the Eewal, at Café de Strohoed and De Toeter , the landlords already have your order ready before you even sit down. In the Kleine Kerkstraat, you are always warmly welcomed at De Pastorie , and on the Tweebaksmarkt, you can immerse yourself in Irish conviviality at Paddy O' Ryan . And although we won't find music by Roxy Dekker at these places, we will find kegs full of good times. Cheers!
Music venue Neushoorn
When it comes to nightlife in Leeuwarden, you can't ignore Neushoorn. This is the city's premier music venue. In the evenings, large concerts and intimate performances alternate. Will you go for a small performance by an unknown singer-songwriter in the Neushoorn Café, dance your heart out to the DJ during a techno night, or scream along to pounding guitars in the Arena? You'll also find jam sessions, improv nights, countdown parties, disco shuffleboard, and throwback parties here. There's something for everyone, and often on the same night! Curious? Here's a sneak peek!
Raw rock that the Norse god Wodan would be proud of.
Bring your friends and let's jam!
The Amsterdam pioneers of brazilectro
Discover the headliners of the future
The hottest festival with a Caribbean vibe
The ultimate club night for singles
Awaken the beast within yourself
Bluesy rock 'n' roll that grabs you by the throat
The Experiment #2
'The Final Chapter' of the dark techno and drum & bass party
An evening full of mind-blowing psychedelic music
Techno by nøthing events
Hard rock anthems with punk energy
A real rock concert for children
Progtitan in the making
Jamaican reggae legend
Bring your friends and let's jam!
An evening full of Coldplay hits
Punk jazz poetry
Top-notch hip hop from our own soil
A tribute to the classic Supertramp lineup
Solid blues rock, sensitive ballads and a more progressive turn
Raw rock, classic riffs and modern twists