1Markthal
Food hall·Centrum (Blaak)·€·All ages
A huge arched market hall with more than 100 food spots from all over the world, open daily. Grazing from stall to stall and sharing a table is an easy, low-pressure way to start a conversation.
Ds. Jan Scharpstraat 298, 3011 GZ Rotterdam · Walk-in
2Kaapse Fenix
Taproom·Katendrecht·€€·All ages
The original taproom of a Rotterdam craft brewery, with more than 20 taps, a wine and cider bar inside and a large terrace on the Maas. Busy, relaxed and full of shared tables; closed on Mondays.
Nico Koomanskade 1025, 3072 LM Rotterdam · Takes bookings
3Stadshaven Brouwerij
Brewery gastropub·Merwe-Vierhavens (M4H)·€€·20s
A craft brewery and waterfront gastropub in the old harbour district, with self-tap tables and beer cocktails. Pouring your own beer at a big table is a natural icebreaker; open Wednesday to Sunday.
Galileïstraat 24, 3029 AM Rotterdam · Takes bookings
4Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim (Pelgrim Jam)
Brewery and jazz night·Delfshaven·€€·40+
A city brewery and tasting room in historic Delfshaven that hosts the Pelgrim Jam, a regular Thursday jazz session, plus concerts. A mixed-age crowd and live music make it easy to chat at the bar.
Aelbrechtskolk 12, 3024 RE Rotterdam · Walk-in
5BIRD
Music venue and club·Centrum (Raampoortstraat)·€€·30s
A restaurant, bar, garden, club and concert space with live jazz, soul and club nights from Tuesday to Saturday. Concerts and parties draw a sociable, international crowd.
Raampoortstraat 24/26/28, 3032 AH Rotterdam · Takes bookings
6Papagayo Wednesday Social at Supermercado
Salsa night·Centrum·€·All ages
A free weekly Latin night: an open-level salsa workshop from 22:00 to 23:00, then social dancing until 02:00. Partners rotate, so you meet lots of people; times can change, so check the organiser's page first.
Schiedamse Vest 91, 3012 BG Rotterdam · Walk-in
7Rotterdam Board Games Group
Board game meetup·Centrum (Blaak)·€·All ages
An international board game community of about 5,000 members with English as the main language. Its Friday afternoon party-game sessions at the temporary central library are free and drop-in, and there are game nights and dinners elsewhere too.
Bibliotheek Blaak, Hoogstraat 110, 3011 PV Rotterdam · Walk-in
8Let's run in Rotterdam!
Run club·Centrum (Willemsplein)·€·All ages
A running group with a weekly Wednesday 18:30 midweek run from the marathon statue on Willemsplein, with 3.5 or 5 km routes and usually a drink together afterwards. Bring some change for that drink.
Marathonbeeld, Willemsplein, Rotterdam · Takes bookings
9Meet New People in Rotterdam (social drinks)
Social meetup·Centrum·€·20s
One of the biggest social groups in the city, with more than 10,000 members, for people new in town or simply looking for new friends. It runs regular Friday and Saturday social drinks in central bars plus bigger themed parties.
Changing bars in the city centre, Rotterdam · Takes bookings
10Spellenhuis Rotterdam
Board game café·Centrum·€·All ages
A board game spot with a weekly Thursday game night from 19:00 for a small fee, paid at the end. Mostly in English, and you simply join a table of strangers.
Schilderstraat 20A, Rotterdam · Walk-in