The Witte de With district is the vibrant heart of the Rotterdam art scene and is known for its dynamic nightlife. The Witte de Withstraat is sometimes referred to as Rotterdam’s ‘Axis of Art’; it runs from Museumpark to the Maritime Museum and is home to several cultural institutions.
Browse the art on display at TENT or Kunstinstituut Melly, catch a show at the Witte de With Theatre, or immerse yourself in avant-garde film and music at WORM. While galleries, cultural institutes and fashion boutiques are open all day, the focus shifts to cafés and restaurants in the evening. Grand café NRC (Nieuw Rotterdams Café) is a great place to start your night with a plate of spaghetti or fish & chips. For a juicy hamburger, head to Ter Marsch & Co. The most famous pub in the street is De Witte Aap, an institution in the city’s nightlife for ages; Lonely Planet even nominated it as the best bar in the world! More recent arrivals to the bar scene, like Ballroom and LaBru, are popular with the young and trendy crowd. The gin and tonics sell like hotcakes across the meticulously hip designer counters. To rub shoulders with local artists and authors, try De Schouw, a classic brown café that fills up quickly on good nights.
