Nightlife in Utrecht, the Netherlands: best kept secret
Feeling like going out tonight in Utrecht? Nightlife in Utrecht is the “best kept secret” in the Netherlands. When the night falls, the city is very much alive and great to explore. Utrecht is less crowded than Amsterdam and still fun! Just stroll around the pretty city center, crossing the canals, to find the amazing nightclubs, pubs and cafes. Below are some of the most popular bars and clubs in Utrecht. Check it out and go see for yourself!
Beer Cafe Olivier
Achter Clarenburg 6a, 3511 JJ Utrecht
Start your nightlife journey with a beer in cafe Olivier. The Belgian Beer Café Olivier is located in an old church, at Achter Clarenburg, and is one of my favorite places in Utrecht! As many elements of the church from 1860 as possible have been preserved: the altar niche, the vaults and the organ. The cafe has a large assortment of special beer.
Kafe Belgie
Oudegracht 196, 3511 NR Utrecht
Another great cafe to start your nightlife journey in Utrecht is Kafe Belgie. This cafe is popular among the locals. It is a Belgian themed cafe which has an array of beers and lagers from Belgium. You can also have cocktails and other drinks. It’s a great place to begin your evening before starting out a potentially eventful night out in the city.
Tivoli Vredenburg
Vredenburgkade 11, 3511 WC Utrecht
Tivoli Vredenburg is a famous music complex in Utrecht, consisting of five different halls. For sure you can find something here that you’ll like. If not an amazing live concert, there will be some cool party starting in the late evening hours.
De Helling
Helling 7, 3523 CB Utrecht
De Helling is a pop podium just outside of the Utrecht city centre, offering a wide variation of (inter)national bands and genres. From the train station Utrecht Vaartsche Rijn it only takes one minute to walk to the complex. Most tickets can be ordered online.
Ledig Erf
Tolsteegbrug 3, 3511 ZN Utrecht
Café Ledig Erf is an old-fashioned cosy café with a large assortment of (special) beers. The cafe has one of the most beautiful terraces in Utrecht. Tip: combine your visit with a visit to ‘de Helling’.
Ekko
Bemuurde Weerd, 3513 BH Utrecht
Ekko is a concert venue located in Utrecht and mainly known for alternative pop. Its regular club nights attract an energetic young student crowd every weekend. The venue can hold up to 300 people and it has got a little café as well. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, you can enjoy a meal at Ekko Café before the live gig starts.
Club Poema
Drieharingstraat 22, 3511 BJ Utrecht
Club Poema is a busy student-orientated pub and is known as a stage for hard electronic music, especially techno music. From Utrecht central station it only takes a five minutes stroll to get there. On the outside, it doesn’t look very appealing, but inside (underground) you will find one of the most beautiful clubs of Utrecht.
Bassment
Voorstraat 102, 3512 Utrecht
The bassment is a dancing nightclub in the center of Utrecht. Friday and Saturday are club nights with various styles of music (disco, club, house, etc.).
Cafe Kalff & Body Talk
Oudegracht 47 and 64, 3511 AS Utrecht
On the Oudegracht, in the centre of Utrecht, you will find the cosy Bodytalk and cafe Kalff. These cafes have been safe havens for LHBTQs for over 30 years. The atmosphere is always great overhere!
Kargadoor
Oudegracht 36, 3511 AP Utrecht
Kargadoor is a cosy basement bar in Utrecht with a wide range of cultural and musical entertainment.
Quignon
Oudegracht 134, 3511 AX Utrecht
Quignon Kitchen & Bar has been located on the beautiful Oudegracht in the characteristic centre of Utrecht. The cafe has a wide selection of wines in its cabinet, as well as various local beers.
The places mentioned above represent but a small fraction of what Utrecht has in the way of nightlife. If you have any questions or other recommendations, feel free to leave a comment.
Author: Daphne
This article is part of the GPSmyCity iOS app. You can download it, read this article offline and obtain travel directions (by foot, car or bicycle) to the places mentioned in this article. Click here to download it.
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