After the office, off to the sea?

From the Plein to the beach

The Hague has something other big cities lack: the sea, a fifteen-minute bike ride away. So in summer the evening often starts at a beach bar in Scheveningen, and the rest of the year on the terraces of the Plein or among the cafés around the Grote Markt.

The city is international, with many people who come to work here for a few years, and the mood is calmer than in Amsterdam. Newcomers often stick with their colleagues, locals with their own neighbourhood. A quick “fancy a drink tonight?” bridges that faster than you'd think, and on YesTonite you see right away who else is out.

Friday and Saturday are the big nights; on Thursday after work the Plein is already busy. In summer a large part of the evening moves to the beach.

Where The Hague goes out

• Het PleinTerraces next to the Binnenhof, busy after office hours and at weekends.
• ScheveningenBoardwalk and beach bars, especially from spring to autumn.
• Scheveningen HavenSeafood restaurants and bars by the harbour, with a sunset drink.
• ZeeheldenkwartierA neighbourhood with casual eateries and small bars, relaxed and local.
• DennewegA cosy street with restaurants and wine bars.