Leiden is a student town, which means that there are plenty of places where you can have a drink and dance the night away. Check out one of these cafes, terraces, clubs and cinemas if you are planning a night on the town in Leiden.
- Leiden is an exciting student town filled to the brim with cafés, bars and clubs.
- Have a drink or two in one of the many cafés or terraces.
- Dance through the night in Leiden.
Cafes
Café Einstein
Named after the famous professor at Leiden University, this cafe is a sunny terrace barge during the day and a lively cafe at night. It serves a great lunch and dinner as well.
Address: Nieuwe Rijn 19
De Uyl van Hoogland
The ‘owl’ lies shoulder to shoulder with the Hooglandse Kerk church. The bar was constructed from bits and parts from an old monastery and the entire interior is (of course) decorated with lots of owls.
Address: Nieuwstraat 28
Café Olivier
This cosy Belgian beer pub is located next to the former hospital on Hooigracht. In addition to serving a mean meal, the pub organises quiz and dance nights and live performances on a regular basis.
Address: Hooigracht 23
North End
About ten draught beers and over two hundred whiskies served in a typically English atmosphere.
Address: Noordeinde 55
Barrera
The best-known student cafe in town. In addition to students, this place is frequented for its food and drinks by Leiden natives and day tourists. In summer the cafe runs a small but pleasant terrace in the sun.
Address: Rapenburg 56
De Kroeg
This pub’s name says it all: ‘the pub’. It is an old-fashioned pub with music, beer and wine.
Address: Kort Rapenburg 4
Café Roebels
This pleasant student cafe is nice and welcoming, with students talking at the bar until two in the morning.
Address: Choorsteeg 24
Odessa
This place is slightly alternative but it is never too quiet. Foreign students in particular have a preference for this cafe and on Friday nights, female visitors determine the music played.
Address: Hogewoerd 18
Terraces
City Hall
There is a large square behind City Hall on the Breestraat, which this catering business uses to its advantage.
Address: Stadhuisplein 3
Terrace barges
Several barges are moored in the Nieuwe Rijn, which serve as pleasant terraces. These are the places where you can spend hours nursing your drink, enjoying the sun and watching the boats and people sail by.
Address: Nieuwe Rijn
Brasserie De Poort
A great place for lunch, cocktails and dinner. Watch the boats sail by while you enjoy a glass of good wine in the sun, with the monumental city gate in the background.
Address: Haven 100
Annie’s
The terrace at Annie’s lies on the water where the Nieuwe Rijn and Oude Rijn converge. In summer you can spend hours watching the hundreds of boats and barges come by.
Address: Hoogstraat 1a
Van der Werff
When leaving the railway station, you can follow a straight line into Leiden. Look to your left to find City cafe Van der Werff. This is the place to go for lunch, cocktails or dinner. It has a lovely terrace in summer.
Address: Steenstraat 2
Clubs
NEXT Leiden
Let’s go dancing! Go to this student club if you want to dance the night away.
Address: Langebrug 6
Danssalon in Casa
Is known mainly for its periodical themed parties.
Address: Lammermarkt 100
More in the area
Leiden is close to The Hague and Delft, two cities that are definitely worth a visit. Go visit some museums, the Mauristhuis in The Hague for example. Delft is known for its Delft Blue Pottery and for that reason it is highly recommended to visit the only remaining Delft Blue factory.