Odessa is one of the favorite student haunts in Leiden. The food is cheap and greasy, the drinks are strong and the music is heavy and goes all night long. There are specials everyday, including drink specials that bring the students in droves from the university, and live music and DJs. There is usually a cover on weekend evenings, and the kitchen remains open till ;ate in the night.
Established in 1986, Parkheuvel is a fine dining restaurant serving French cuisine. This is the first place in the country that managed to get three Michelin stars. The place is headed by renowned chef Erik van Loo who has 10 of the most efficient guys working under him. The park serves a signature five course menu and a gastronomical eight course menu. Their 'a la carte' selection changes from lunch to dinner. Some of their specials are oyster, caviar, goose liver, tartare, truffle, langoustine, lamb of the Pyrenees and lots more. Reservations are necessary.
Grounds Podium + Cafe serves diners hearty portions of breakfast, lunch and dinner through the day, and boasts an interesting menu. A small stage can be used for impromptu performances by visitors who may want to show off their hidden talents. The grounds can also be hired for music, dance, drama and cultural events so check website for further details.
This is more than a just café where you can get a great meal. Since 1997, when it opened its doors to the public for the first time, Rotown has also been a great place to enjoy a lively night out. Rotown is a combination of café, Mexican restaurant, kiosk and photo gallery and is also well-known for its musical shows. This is a place full of character and that is something very much appreciated by its patrons. Maybe that's why it has become so famous in so short a time.
This lively little café invites jazz-lovers to join them for over 100 free concerts each year. Dizzy's really is the first word in jazz around Rotterdam; ask anyone for the best place in town to chill out, soak up the atmosphere and relax in a quiet corner with a paper and a cool drink, here's where they'll send you. The atmosphere is informal, the company cool, and the prices are amongst the best in town. Opens at 4p from Tuesdays through Saturdays.
This friendly bar in the Oude Haven attracts a lot of locals, but it's also earned a mention in several local tourist handbooks. It's completely unpretentious in ambiance or decor. This is the kind of place that invites guests to linger over drinks for hours, unwinding from a work week or a busy weekend. The place heats up on weekend nights though. Live bands play indoors, and the indoor bar area fills up with lively youngsters.
Looking for someplace to down drinks with your friends while in the city without having to shell out too much? If yes, then Bar Tender situated on Coolsingel is the place for you. This spectacular venue is a haven for party animals in the city and is popular for the wide range of shots poured by the skilled bartenders here. Workshops and courses are offered at Bar Tender for those who are keen on learning how to make shots just like bartenders at this venue do. Flashy colorful lights, live DJ and trendy crowd makes partying at Bar Tender fun and exciting.
The Big Ben café and bar in the center of town does big business with the corporate 'Happy Hour' crowd. On sunny days, nearly every outdoor table is filled with professional types unwinding from the stress of work. The café has a full bar, with seven beers on tap. In addition to the ubiquitous Heineken, another favorite is Guinness Stout. A full menu of bar food is served, including juicy burgers and fried calamari. The bar is located just around the corner from the VVV, or local tourist information center.
Part of the cyber cafe chain that's currently blazing through Europe, this Internet shop offers super-cheap, super-fast Internet access all day and night. It's an amazing concept -- and one which the people of Holland clearly appreciate. You can see hundreds of customers busily checking their E-mail at all hours of the day and night and at all 350 cutting-edge computer terminals. Customers can check mail, surf, chat or download content for ridiculously low prices. The only complaint was safety, as in the beginning it attracted a rather unsavory crowd, however, there are now super-strict security measures, in order to eliminate the problems.
One of Rotterdam's biggest nightclubs, Nora features three levels of state-of-the-art party spaces. Each level exhibits a distinct vibe and showcases diverse interiors and amenities. Its ground floor is also called the main level and is immensely popular with the city's youth, thanks to its eclectic decor, modern sound systems, extensive bar, and intimate seating sections. It is also where a bulk of the guests are located.
This cheerful, boisterous, vaguely Caribbean-themed bar draws quite a crowd, even during the lazy, late-morning hours. It offers chilled beers, specialty drinks, sandwiches, burgers and even desserts. Flocks of twenty- and thirty-somethings congregate at the sunny outdoor tables to snack on pancakes and sip witte bier (white beer). Reggae favorites and the occasional calypso song filters through the speakers. The friendly staff manoeuvres through the tables nimbly, and a giant, ugly gorilla sign presides over it all.