Nightlife · The Hague · Netherlands
The Hague nightlife
Where the evenings happen in The Hague, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The Hague's nightlife is relaxed: café terraces, Grote Markt bars and seasonal beach clubs rather than big clubbing districts. The main areas are Plein, Grote Markt, Denneweg and Scheveningen beach.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Centrum and the Hofvijver
Where to go out
Plein
Café terraces on the square by the parliament, busy with office workers in the early evening.
Grote Markt
A square of bars and terraces popular with a younger crowd.
Denneweg
Wine bars and restaurants on an elegant old street near Lange Voorhout.
Scheveningen beach
Beach pavilions and clubs with music on summer evenings.
Nightlife tips
- Beach clubs are seasonal; in winter, nightlife moves back to the centre.
- Trams run late but less frequently at night; check the last connection back from Scheveningen.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 14°C (57°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:00 | 1°C (34°F) | 12 |
| April | About 20:40 | 5°C (41°F) | 9 |
| July | About 21:57 | 14°C (57°F) | 10 |
| October | About 18:49 | 8°C (46°F) | 12 |
Getting home late
- Walking — The Hofvijver, Mauritshuis, Lange Voorhout, Noordeinde and the Plein are within about 10 minutes of each other; Den Haag Centraal is a 10-minute walk away.
- Tram — Tap in and out with a contactless bank card or phone; remember to check out.
- Bus — City and regional buses fill gaps to Kijkduin, Wassenaar and outer districts.
Late-night bites
- Raw herring — Herring stalls in Scheveningen harbour and carts in the centre.
- Kibbeling — Fish stalls at Scheveningen harbour, along the boulevard and at the Haagse Markt.
- Bitterballen — Cafés on the Plein and Grote Markt and beach pavilions in Scheveningen.
Staying safe at night
The Hague is generally relaxed for visitors. Watch for pickpockets on busy trams and at stations, keep clear of cycle lanes, and swim only in lifeguarded areas at the beach, where currents near the pier and harbour can be strong.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, nightlife and shopping
Centrum and the Hofvijver
The historic centre spreads around the Hofvijver pond and the Binnenhof parliament complex, with the Mauritshuis, the Plein's café terraces and the Grote Markt's bars close by. Chinatown on the Wagenstraat and the main shopping streets are a few minutes south, and Den Haag Centraal is about 10 minutes' walk. It is the most convenient base for museums and nightlife.
- Good
- Walk to the main museums; Good tram links to the beach; Restaurants and bars nearby
- Watch out
- Business-oriented hotels can feel impersonal; Busy with government traffic on weekdays
- Nearby
- Mauritshuis, Hofvijver, Plein, Grote Markt
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in The Hague?
Plein, Grote Markt and Denneweg. Café terraces on the square by the parliament, busy with office workers in the early evening.
+Which area of The Hague is best for nightlife?
Centrum and the Hofvijver: Government buildings, the Mauritshuis and terraces on the Plein and Grote Markt.