Haarlem has a beautiful historic city centre, famous museums, shops, restaurants and the beach around the corner. From hidden courtyards from bygone times to trendy concept stores. From medieval church's to terrace's on the water. Once a major North Sea trading port surrounded by a defensive wall, it retains its medieval character of cobblestone streets and gabled houses, almshouses built around leafy courtyards. Visit Haarlem and be surprised by the sights, boutiques and picturesque squares, by the old and contemporary artists, the Burgundian atmosphere and the rich history. It's the centre of a major flower-bulb-growing district, and famous for its outlying tulip fields. Getting to Haarlem is realy easy, from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol by train takes 30 minutes with a transfer at Amsterdam Sloterdijk station, by bus directly (line 300) takes 40 minutes. Trains are notoriously unreliable on this track (especially in weekends), so if you want to be on the safe side, take the bus. Otherwise take a taxi, but this is not recommended in the Netherlands beware you have been warned! Haarlem is a compact city with short distances from place to place. You can cover everything by foot. If you are leaving the city to explore the surrounding areas you can rent bikes at the train station (Lange Herenstraat 36) for around €10 a day? So let's explore the breweries (4 as of March 2021), bars, bottle shops and cafe's of this vibrant city;
Jopen, (Jopenkerk), Gedempte Voldersgracht 2
This must be the most beautiful pub/brewpub ever? An old church and they have respected that atmosphere. Now transformed into a brewpub. You can see medium size shiny copper brewery kettles behind which you can see beautiful stained glass windows. The mission of the brewery is to re-create traditional Haarlem beers and bring them back to the public. The bar is in front of the kit and has some steel tanks for their core beers to serve in place, the bar has a carpeted ceiling?, really not sure what that is all about? The bar is unmissable, there is a large row of taps and a list situated above and behind the bar, its an impressive selection. However, most of their production takes place at their facilities in the outskirts of Harleem. They have 20 taps, mostly Jopen plus some collaborations and some other Dutch micros, also a good range of bottles around 50, mostly Jopen again. The menu in the restaurant isn’t very extensive, but the quality of the food good, and they do beer-food pairings suggested for every dish😃 There is an upper level for private bookings, probably the old quire stalls or were the organ was located, plus a large patio terrace outside for nice lazy summer drinking. You can watch the brewing process from the Café Monday to Friday, while enjoying a Jopen beer. The staff are friendly staff if they are not busy, a must visit.
Jopen Waarderpolder (Tap Room), Emrikweg 21
Located at the industrial park of Haarlem. A very modern looking tap room, lots of dark colours which contrast with the light brewery you can see through the windows. Note, it's located on the first floor that can only be acced by stairs, also a few tables outside on the ground floor. About 20 taps, most of which were Jopen. They also have a small shop with bottles and merchandise. Sincere and enthusiast staff who provide precious info on the history of Jopen and the city while you enjoy a tour. Snacks and some meals are available, other drinks as well. Nice place, but it’s more convenient to go to Jopenkerk of course. 🧐
Café de Gooth, Botermarkt 19
Located on the Botermarkt that was voted the best small market in the Netherlands and is the best square for food and beverages in Haarlem. They have been going over 25 years (since 1987). They started to brew their own beer a couple of years ago. Now they have four of their own brewed beers on draft. Sint Bonniefatius Amber, Blond, Levenselixer (real green beer), Bock beer and Red Sonja (I.P.A). ( Although it's possible these could be contract brewed at Huisbrouwerij Klein Duimpje?) But hey let's count it as a brewpub! They have a heated conservatory, terrace and an attractive very long bar where you can relax in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying a drink or snack, it’s actually quite cosy, with classic pop music from the sixties.
Uiltje Brewing Co. (Brewery & Taproom), Bingerweg 25
A small taproom on the outskirts of Haarlem, around the corner from the Jopen Brewery Tap Room and Taproom. There is some seating outside, pallet style picnic tables and benches. The entrance is just past this with a small room for the bottle shop and then the main room it feels a bit like an old American diner, with a couple of bunk seats near the windows occupying half of the room, the other half being the bar. The brewery if you get a tour is accessed from this room. They have 10 taps and 2 casks hand pulls. Of course all Uiltje beers, some of them only available here. Some food, pizzas, pies and snacks, there is a little terrace with a shop attached. It's a lively and very friendly place, the staff go out of their way to be helpful and offer advice and chat beery stuff. Well worth a visit. 🙃
Uiltje Craft Beer Bar, Zijlstraat 18
A small bar located in a pedestrian area of small shops and only few minutes walk from Jopenkerk. They have 30 taps with flights of four available. A nice cosy place. Inside there are a handful of stools, bar tables up front, restaurant tables in the rear, and a few on the street. Cool music is played, 80s 90s indie rock! They don’t serve food but pizza can be ordered in. Super friendly staff. A fantastic fun and a creative taplist, what more do you need a really cool place to "tick" Uiltje beers. 🤪
Bierlokaal De Uiver, Lange Begijnestraat 10
Centrally located on a narrow street just north of the large square with the cathedral of St. Bavo. A long and fairly narrow place in light brown and green wood. On the left is the bar, with the tap selection on boards above the taps. There are 40 taps, all of them interesting, and the owner / manager is friendly and welcoming, she is very knowledgeable about the beers on offer and absolutely passionate about jenever too. Beerlokaal de Uiver is an offshoot of the Proeflokaal de Uiver, just round the corner, and takes its name from an old Dutch word for stork which, as well as being a bird, was the name of an early KLM passenger plane entered in a London to Melbourne race in 1934 (it came second out of 20 entrants). Note it's a "cash" only bar? Well worth visiting.
Lokaal, Koningstraat 46 ZW
A nice little brown café, slightly shabby but in a good way, with plenty of space at the bar and some booths in the back. It’s a short walk from the main square and certainly not too far from the big beer attractions in the city. They have 8 taps, but the bottle selection is more interesting with a decent selection of mainly Dutch breweries. The owner himself is passionate about what he does and knowledgeable about the beers, he is also the president of the local beer tasters association which also publishes a beer bar guide. Another nice stop off in the Haarlem scene.
Eet-Biercafé Bruxelles, Lange Wijngaardstraat 16
Cafe Bruxelles is more restaurant than bar but Bruxelles has an big selection of bottled beers. As the name suggests the range is mainly Belgium beer. Two-story brown café in an alley just 2 minutes from the main square Grote Markt. Up and downstairs are not too big, with a dark wood ceiling's and low lighting, there is an expo of a different artist covering the walls every month. A nice pleasant atmosphere, and good food that is not over expensive.
Melger’s Wijn en Dranken, Barrevoetestraat 13-17
An excellent shop with beers arranged by region and including a good local range. This place is like a used book store for beer, you could spend hours browsing here! There is always something even for the hardened ticker! Prices are generally average with some of the more unusual bottles getting a bit high. A beer candy store and a must do visit while in Haarlem.
Uiltje Coffee and Fresh Beer Bottle Shop, Zijlstraat 6
Uiltje Moyee and Bottleshop is a cool place for fresh coffee and donuts and an amazing selection of craft beers. Alongside Uiltje's own brews, they showcase other craft brews from far and wide. A really cool cross over place. Quite small inside with lots of cool art work on the walls. It’s like a living room where you’re always welcome to hide away from busy city life. Otto's top tip, take a big bag 😁. This place will soon become your favourite beer shop in the area!
Café de Roemer, Botermarkt 17
A cool brown bar in a very nice location just on the Botermarkt. A large terrace near the fruit stall's with vendors shouting selling there goods. Inside is a wooden classic café with 12 taps and a good selection of bottles with many usual suspects but some new Dutch craft brew's. Varied pop music and efficient service. It's cool watching people doing shopping while having a beer.
Café ’t Kantoor, Gierstraat 78
A nice corner bar, quite an unusual "V" shape, with seats outside. It has an oldskool almost Victorian interior, with a cool old till straight out of "Open All Hours"! A cool style from 100-150 years ago, which you can see regularly in Haarlem, but not a lot elsewhere? Not much in the sense of beers, but 8 taps with a few nice guest beers in good condition plus a small but decent bottle range. A great locals bar.
Café Studio, Grote Markt 25
Big place at de Grote Markt. It’s got a modern look combined with old-fashioned wooden seats. Bit of a touristy atmosphere. Service is very friendly. Some beers on tap, with some local stuff.
Proeflokaal In den Uiver, Riviervischmarkt 13
A lovely old classic place by Haarlem Grote Markt, with 10 taps. A nice view of the big central cathedral. Oldskool victorian interior, small little bar and a small patio outside.
Cafe De Lift, Grote Markt 29
A very good restaurant with good 8 beers on tap and good food to choose from. The staff are very good and will explain menu if required.
Carillon, Grote Markt 27
This is a hotel and restaurant rather than a bar. It’s a bit ramshackle and the rooms are fairly basic, but it’s in a pleasant spot on the Grote Markt right by the cathedral of St. Bavo. Weird modern decor inside? Although the beer list is nothing special, the terrace makes a nice place to watch the crowds on the Grote Markt, especially if the weather is nice.
....... and now for something completely different, first cafe's then music bars;
Anne & Max, Zijlstraat 68
A cafe were you can drink a coffee or tea with a pie here. This is for all you hipsters out there!
Bij Babette, Kruisstraat 35
Finally a place where it's all about tea instead of coffee. But you can get a coffee here also. Opened in 2013 and run by a French/English lady.
Doppio, Zijlstraat 78
A cafe in a former bank office. Coffee, tea, brownies, muffins, and apple pie. Blended tea's.
Hofje zonder zorgen, Grote Houtstraat 142
Situated in a 15th century monument overviewing an almshouse courtyard ('hofje'). Local suppliers, biological vegetables, daily freshly made smoothies, home made cakes, muffins, scones.
Wolkers, Gedempte Oude Gracht 139
A cafe that opened in 2013. For breakfast's, lunch, and afternoon drinks. Located on a noisy street corner. Chairs normal people throw away are used here to create a vintage feeling. For hipsters with laptops sipping their hipster drinks.
Dessertbar, Warmoesstraat 4
Really small place, great for couples. Club sandwich with potato chips, uitsmijters, and various sandwiches. Sit by the window to secretly watch people quietly eating their fries from the place across the street. Potential documentary material!
De Overkant, Paarlaarsteeg 10
A cafe hidden in the depths of downtown Haarlem, this small lunchroom is great for hipsters who lunch. That's probably why their sandwiches have names like Beavis & Butthead, Romeo & Juliette, and Bonnie & Clyde.
Bruxelles, Lange Wijngaardstraat 16
Beer bar and budget meal bar. Lots of beers. Every month a new art exhibition.
Little Fly - La Pien Noir, Koningstraat 58
A music bar for the older crowd who like '80s music and conversations. They have occasional jam sessions by local musicians. On Sunday there are session's with jazz, blues, and rock music. Located between Grote Markt square and Botermarkt square.
Stiel's, Smedestraat 21
A music bar, were every night you can see in this small bar a local jazz or rhythm & blues band. But when the band plays you have to stop your conversation.
Taverne De Waag, Damstraat 29
A folk music bar. This bar tries to regain something of the international folk club that it used to be in the '60s, with Simon & Garfunkel among the performing artists back then. Concerts are usually only on Sunday between 17h and 19h.
XO, Grote Markt 8
A DJ bar. Hipster bar. DJ's on Friday and Saturday. Mostly techno/house music. On Thursday a place for students.
Patronaat, Zijlsingel 2
Haarlem's center for live music and rock culture since 1984. Nowadays also with commercial club nights at the weekend. This new venue opened in 2005 and has three halls, a large one (975 people) and two smaller ones (350 people and 125 people).
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