Drinks in Leiden's brown cafés
1
Traditional Dutch brown café in Hooglandsekerk-Choorsteeg, known for its century-old interior with tiled panels, carefully selected speciality beers and cosy atmosphere.
- Address
- Hooglandsekerk-Choorsteeg 13, 2312 KK Leiden
- Opening hours
- 14:00–03:00
Opening hours
| Mon | 16:00–02:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 16:00–02:00 |
| Wed | 16:00–02:00 |
| Thu | 16:00–03:00 |
| Fri | 16:00–03:00 |
| Sat | 14:00–03:00 |
| Sun | 15:00–02:00 |
2
A historic pub and bistro on Haarlemmerstraat. De Vergulde Kruik is housed in a listed national monument and welcomes guests for lunch, drinks and dinner.
- Address
- Haarlemmerstraat 22, 2312 GA Leiden
- Opening hours
- 12:00–01:00
Opening hours
| Mon | 15:00–00:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 15:00–00:00 |
| Wed | 15:00–00:00 |
| Thu | 15:00–00:00 |
| Fri | 15:00–01:00 |
| Sat | 12:00–01:00 |
| Sun | 12:00–22:00 |
3
Characteristic Leiden pub in the city centre. De Marepoort draws a mix of students and locals for a beer or drinks.
- Address
- Lange Mare 36, 2312 GS Leiden
- Opening hours
- 14:00–01:00
Opening hours
| Mon | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tue | 16:00–00:00 |
| Wed | 16:00–00:00 |
| Thu | 16:00–00:00 |
| Fri | 16:00–01:00 |
| Sat | 14:00–01:00 |
| Sun | 14:00–00:00 |
Illustrative photo4Real Leiden brown pub on the Hooglandse Kerkgracht. Great atmosphere, genever collection and a terrace with a view of the Hooglandse Kerk.
- Address
- Hooglandse Kerkgracht 18, 2312 HS Leiden
- Opening hours
- 14:00–02:00
Opening hours
| Mon | 15:00–01:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 15:00–01:00 |
| Wed | 15:00–01:00 |
| Thu | 15:00–01:00 |
| Fri | 15:00–02:00 |
| Sat | 14:00–02:00 |
| Sun | 14:00–01:00 |
Illustrative photo5
L’Espérance is a café on Kaiserstraat, close to Rapenburg. A central Leiden spot for a drink.
- Address
- Kaiserstraat 1, 2311 GN Leiden
- Opening hours
- Opening hours not published
Opening hours
Opening hours not published
The official website does not publish current opening hours. Check the website before visiting.
Opening hours and prices are indicative — check the website before visiting.
Choose a Leiden bar by atmosphere and location
A traditional brown café offers a different evening from a cocktail bar or a large terrace. Decide whether you want local beer, conversation, late-night energy or a quiet drink, then choose a venue within walking distance of your hotel or final train.
Opening hours, age policies and event-night capacity can change. Check the venue directly, carry valid identification and never rely on an editorial page as a guarantee of entry or a specific closing time.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a Dutch brown café?
- It is a traditional, informal pub with a warm interior, regular local guests and a focus on beer, simple drinks and conversation.
- Are Leiden bars close to the station?
- Many central bars are ten to fifteen minutes on foot from Leiden Centraal. Check your final train and route before ordering another round.
Continue exploring Leiden
- Top 5 coffee spotsFind the best coffee in Leiden at five specialty coffee spots, including Borgman & Borgman, 30ml and iScream Coffee, with addresses and maps.
- Top 5 lunch spotsCompare five lunch spots in Leiden around Nieuwe Rijn, the old centre and Leiden Centraal, with current addresses, opening details, maps and route ideas.
- Five breakfast and brunch spotsCompare five breakfast and brunch spots in Leiden's historic centre, with current addresses, practical details and maps for planning your morning.
- De WaagDe Waag on the Aalmarkt is Leiden's classical weigh house, designed by Pieter Post, with a frieze of porters above the entrance.