Groningen Nightlife

Ome Ko is a great place to meet locals. I made many Dutch friends in this quaint little bar.
They play a wide variety of music (if Alex is still deejaying) and although space is limited, people dance! You can hear the latest international hits to the Dutch oldies. The age range is 17+ on weekends and usually 21+ weekdays. Some nights feature buy one, get one on beer and wine only.
Also features terrace seating weather permitting!

Dress Code: Anything goes

Ome Ko is a great place to meet locals. I made many Dutch friends in this quaint little bar.
They play a wide variety of music (if Alex is still deejaying) and although space is limited, people dance! You can hear the latest international hits to the Dutch oldies. The age range is 17+ on weekends and usually 21+ weekdays. Some nights feature buy one, get one on beer and wine only.
Also features terrace seating weather permitting!

Dress Code: Anything goes

This is a Jazz (and occasional blues / funk) cafe, it was my absolute favourite place in Groningen. This also was our meeting-place most of the time. This is a great place to see some of the local Jazz bands play. All the concerts are FREE entrance.

Inside the cafe you have three areas where you can go, the front part, in which I never stayed, the back, where the main jazz-performances are. There is also an upstairs, the spot I like best, this is a great place to sitt, listen to the jazz (they have smaller performances here too) and catch up with friends.

To find out this month's schedule use the website listed below.

This is not only a pretty building but also one of the oldest pubs in Groningen.
It is situated at the Grote Markt.

There are many pubs at the Grote Markt. As Groningen is a university city there are also many pubs around. Just try one. If it is not your style, go to the one next door.

A nice place to have a drink is Cafe Der Witz.

This cafe is not that big and after some shopping or before having something to eat this is a good place to have a drink. It's a relaxed place to be.

A nice place where you can sit, eat or drink is Chaplin's Pub.

Chaplin's Pub is a cosy cafe. The place is not to big so it's very nice to be here. Prices are not too expensive and if you want to play a game of darts, this is possible too.

It is evident that the name of the pub is derived from Charlie Chaplin. Inside of this pub you can see several portraits of this comic and actor.

A nice pub near the center of Groningen is Cafe Wolthoorn.

After doing some shopping it is nice to go to this pub. The sphere is relaxed. You can sit at the bar or, more comfortable, in old cinema or theatre chairs at the back of the pub. Music is playing on the background so it's easy to talk.

Like to gamble? Go to the Holland Casino Groningen 'l' Escalier'.

It's just nice to go to the casino sometimes. In the casino you can gamble of course but it's also possible to have a drink or eat something.

Dress Code: You have to be well-dressed.

Groningen is a university town. So nightlife in general is pretty lively if you can stomach all those youngsters :)
Off course there are other places to go when you are a bit above a certain age.
Don t visit however a club named Club Prive, unless you are desperate!

Dress Code: Most is cool....we are not that formal.

A must see is De Blauwe Engel. You will find yourself amongst 18-20 year olds looking for a hit, good fun. Beers are only a guilder during certain hours at night.

Dress Code: On Sunday, many people come straight from their sports clubs, in their sweaty clothes. So basically, anything is allowed. Don't wear your best shoes though!

Go to the 'Drie Gezusters' at the Groote Markt.
At this place are different music styles are here! So discodance, or dance on house or sing along with golden oldies at the bar. Everything is possible here! Even the terrace is open at night on saturdays! Warning: friday is not too busy so an exellent day to go. Saturday is really busy and hot, all levels (floors) are open on this day, but it's a bit too crowded...

Dress Code: It doesn't matter really :)

de Benzinebar, night/swingcafe
It's only open on saterdays and it's no use going there before 2 am. Paul the DJ plays excellent music and the audience is very mixed.
Ok, the audience will be in vearious stages of drunkennes, but that can be a pro.
If you are sober enough enjoy all the motorcycle related objects that are used for decoration.

Dress Code: Never wear fancy shoes. They will be ruined after a night in the Benzinebar.

Nightlife in Groningen is centered around de 'Grote Markt' (marketsquare). Also check out the 'Poelestraat' with many restaurants and dinercafe's, 'Peperstraat' with swingcafe's and the bars in the 'Kromme Elleboog'.
Groningen's Nightlife centre is not very big, but offers plenty choice for everyone. Everything is in walking distance of the Market square. Compared to Amsterdam, in Groningen you can spend a lot of money that would otherwise have gone to taxifares...

Groningen is one of the few cities in the Netherlands where bars and clubs are open late, many until 7 am. And if you're stomach could use something else than beer or liquor, there are enough snack bars and kebab restaurants open until even later. Or earlier.

My favourite nightlife spot has always been the 'Troubadour'.
Differenty styles of music, latin american, house, rock, pop. On some nights there's live music as well.

Dress Code: casual, whatever you feel comfortable in.