Tilburg

Tilburg is the second-largest city in the province North Brabant and the sixth largest in the Netherlands, with a population of over 200,000 inhabitants. It is home to three universities, including the internationally renowned Tilburg University. It began its life as a series of hamlets that have gradually evolved into the populous city it is today. During the 17th century the villages specialised in woollen textiles, due to the large flocks of sheep in the area. This led to its status as the "wool capital" of the Netherlands, although it didn’t gain city status until 1809.

King Willem II (1792-1849) was particularly fond of Tilburg, remarking that "here I can breathe freely and I feel happy." His palace is now home to the Tourist Information Centre, and the local football team is named after him. The centre of Tilburg is full of restaurants, shops, hotels and cafés. There is a large cinema on the Pieter Vreedeplein, as well asa number ofmuseums that let visitors explore everything from Modern Art to Natural History. There are also many Festivals throughout the year, as well as a recreation and amusement park. [updated May 2022]

Stadsbrouwerij 013! Puishaven 1a

This brewery and tasting room, reputedly provides the “ultimate beer experience!” It has 20 taps consisting of its own beers and other locally sourced brews. It serves traditional food and offers a special beer and food paring menu, created by their own “Beer Sommelier”. There are two outside patios, one of which overlooks water. It is located approximately 15 minutes’ walk from the central station.

Bank15 Foodlab, Spoorlaan 350

This is the tasting room for the “Kraftbier Brewery” which is located at Kapitein Hatterasstraat 1-10 in Tilburg. It appears to be part of a “food hall” in an old bank which serves about 7 beers from Kraftbier. Food is available within the building. Located just across  from the train station, so when in Tilbrg, visit this place! Overall a fun place for food and you can tick the beer's but for a brewery room you are way, way better off visiting LOC which is nearby but with far more limited opening hours.

LOC Brewery, Burgemeester Brokxlaan 8-84,

Local brewery with a tap room that is open for a limited time each month. The brewery was established in 2014 in the historical “Spoorzone” in the centre of Tilburg. LOC is short for Locomotive, which is a direct link to the location of the brewery, which is where the Dutch Railway established one of its main workshops for maintenance and repairs to its trains.

Biercafé Kandinsky, Telegraafstraat 58

Typical Dutch brown bar, dark interior, lots of wood and an abundance of beer memorabilia. Also some cool grafite on the outside. They have an extensive beer range of both classic and modern beers and styles. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly.

Little Devil, Stationsstraat 27

Located conveniently just 200 metres from the train station this is a cool raunchy "metal" bar with lots of live bands, dart boards, pool table. They have about 30 bottles, and a decent selection of mostly regular beers on tap. Gothic dark passageway type place, a great place to have chat about old school rock, were the DJ might decide to play Slayer’s Death Skin Mask, then André Hazes’ "Ze gelooft in mij" with nary a tongue in cheek and many barfly metal fans passionately singing along, which is a beautifully styleless thing worthy of UNESCO protection in a time where beer bar tend towards the slick, faceless & overpriced. Prices are low and the music is fantastic. Great atmosphere.

Burgemeester, Jansen Piushaven 22

Located on the “Pius Harbour” at the end of the Wilhelmina Canal, this bar boasts 22 taps and an extensive bottle list. A cosy brown bar, with outside seating on the harbour.

‘T Taphuys, Piusplein 10

This is part of a chain in the Netherlands, the other bars being in Utrecht and Arnhem. The tap wall has 40 different beers and 32 wines. You can tap, taste and discover the beers at the large regular tables. Get a pass from one of the staff, then select a beer from the wall and pour it yourself. Payment is per centilitre, so choose your glass wisely. Inside it's a large moder place on two levels, from the upper one you can look down onto the bar area.

The Cat's Back, Paleisring 21

A new American-style bar in the centre of Tilburg, associated with 't Elfde Gebod and Gin Fizz. The place itself is not that big, but with a terrace offers a dozen more seats, whilst the interior is quite rock 'n roll and effectively American. An interesting selection of American craft beers (Lagunitas, Oskar Blues, Anchor...), add (monthly) specials to that and this place is definitely worth the visit. Prices are reasonable considering the effort of getting them there.

Stadscafé de Spaarbank, Noordstraat 125

A bar in the centre of Tilburg. Located in an old bank building, it has a cool vibe feel to it. The beer list is OK, nothing too exciting, but better than a lot of other places in Tilburg, and that the HAVE all of the Trappisten beers (all 8)! It's a pleasant and trendy spot with a great back patio.

't Buitenbeentje, Heuvel 15a

By all accounts a local old school “institution” for Belgian beers. There is a large patio area and a decent bar. Reputed to be very inexpensive with a very attentive and helpful owner.

Bar Leonardo - Biercafé, Heuvel 46

Since it opened in September 2017, Bar Leonardo has focused more and more on the wonderful world of specialty beers. Their aim appears to be to surprise and delight its customers with good beers and good stories. They believe, the best beers are created by developing a perfect balance between art and science. They are truly influenced by the artist Leonardo Da Vinci as an ideal example of both a brilliant artist and scientist. In addition to the regular menu of 75 beers, there are also 50 changeable beers available, these are supplemented with new and unique beers every week. Inside there is lots of brickwork and woodwork with a nod to the steampunk era.