Wander bloom

Now, let’s talk about bars, events, thrift stores in Leeuwarden. It’s good to know if you decide to stay the night or if you are an international student living there. First of all, Leeuwarden isn’t that big of a city so I feel like it can be quite calm sometimes and you need to know what’s happening around the town. My last post talks about what you can see, where you can eat and other tips, check it out here.

Thirsty?

Grabbing a drink? Leeuwarden has loads of places for that!! The city centre has a street where you can find bars and restaurants. It’s called Nieuwestad, one side of it is filled with shops and the other food places, in the middle there’s canal running through. So when it’s warmer weather, I recommend to go there, sit on the boat and enjoy.

The bars I like:

• De Dikke van Dale (this is my favourite on the Nieuwestad street)
• Fire Cafe for drinks
• Huize Kwast
• Grand Cafe de Brass good for drinks

So whatever you choose next to the canal is probably going to be nice, I personally really like the atmosphere there. It’s nice that you can sit outside with a bad weather (they are prepared for it)!!

Other places to grab a drink:

• Fellini– Has cocktails and gets very busy throughout the day.
• Paddy O’Ryan– Is one of my favourite place to go for a drink because it’s so cozy and all the international people were mostly there.
• Eetcafe het Leven– I have had just wine there but I enjoyed a lot the outside sitting area.
• Dr. Watson– Cool cocktail place, love the vibes and the drinks!!! Must visit!
• Mango Lounge– For cocktails, also nice place.
• Vino & Verder– A wine bar, love that! It’s a bit hidden, so more quiet and very cozy. I think it’s also one of my favourites.
• In de Brouwerij– Also, nice place to sit outside and enjoy a drink. On Monday’s they have two cocktails for one deal.

Some clubs or going out places:

• Bascule– Not really my thing, music is very loud and changes all the time but you could check it out since it’s so popular.
• Shooters– Also not a fan but it’s popular.
• Muziekcafe Scooter’s– Thursdays are my favourite because then they have karaoke, but it’s a fun place to go other time also. On Wednesdays they have quiz night and Saturdays there’s live band usually.
• Neushoorn– It’s an event venue so they mostly have techno or house music events, I would recommend them.
• There’s a street called Oude Doelesteeg, where you can find lots of bars but there’s mostly Dutch people since all the music is in Dutch and the bars are very small and crowded. Still smth to check out!

So I personally prefer wine bars and pubs over going out. But sometimes it just happens that you want to dance, so these could be for it.

Events

There’s also loads of events happening that are worth to check out. Here’s some of them where I have been:

Starting with Kingsday, it’s a national holiday. It marks the birth of the King. Everyone is wearing orange and celebrates the whole day and night before. The night before is called King’s night, where people mostly go to the clubs and events. The next day on King’s day people are selling their things outside on the streets and others can buy it. Then there’s people who are day drinking, going on boats and partying around the city. Everything is crowded, but it’s lots of fun, so be aware!

Tuinfeest– They do techno events, I always liked their venues and they have good DJs.

If you are interested in the techno scene there’re also Dagcollege and Nachtcollege that organise bigger techno events.

Then I have taken part in Nordelijk Film Festival. I was volunteering there so helping out with ticket scanning and collecting public points, etc. I could go see the movies outside the shifts, enjoying the busy and vibrant vibes of the festival. Also, got to meet some nice people. One thing that was a bit surprising, how many elderly people were volunteering. Where I come from, mostly younger people would do these things, but nice to see older people being active.

LEIP!– It’s a student festival at the beginning of the study year. It includes activities, market, music, etc. I think it’s nice for new students coming to the city.

LUNA– It’s taking place every year and offers contemporary art around the city. They present light, performance and sound art in the middle of the city. So I recommend to check it out.

Explore the North– They organise different events for some time period. There’s maybe more to take part if you speak Dutch (which is obvious). I went to clothes market and some parties they organised. I have liked the glass building they have built for it in front of Oldehoven. Check out their agenda!

There’s so many things happening constantly, so I recommend looking out the agenda on visit Leeuwarden’s website!

Thrifting

Let’s talk about thrift stores. Netherlands is a great place for cool vintage clothing but it’s a bit more expensive. I think the reason is because most of the stores have hand picked clothes in them, so it raises the prices. It’s also not called second-hand stores but rather vintage stores and these have different concepts.

Here is list of stores you could check out:

Kledingkast– Almost always there’s something to find! Also, very popular. Definitely check out!!

Appel & Ei– Not that popular in my opinion but could find something.

De Plek Vintage– Cool store, lots of things. Have found unique pieces!!

REGVERDIG– Recommend!! Also, found some clothes there! I feel like not that niche and vintage things are there.

Vintagemarket– Check that out also, mixed with furniture.

Sylvia’s Sneupwinkel– Sooo much clothes. If you plan to go there, you need some time!

That was about Leeuwarden going around tips and tricks!! Now you know everything about the bars, events and thrift stores. Basically, you are a local now, congrats!!

Let me know what you think about the Leeuwarden? Have you visited or would you?