If you’re a lover of Heineken or just old brown bars in general, you will want to check out Cafe De Vergulde Kruik in Leiden. This cozy brown bar is one of the oldest brown bars in the city with an incredible story about the Heineken Star. It’s one of my go-to places for a beer, so I’ll include some tips for your visit!
As soon as you walk into De Vergulde Kruik, one of Leiden’s coziest brown bars, you’ll feel at home. There’s something about the gorgeous stained glass windows, the beautiful old wooden bar with its ornate carved wood, and the beautiful historic bottles on the shelves. I always love saddling up along the wooden table next to the windows in order to watch the world go by.
The bar dates back to 1881 and it’s worth checking in the bathroom for the oldest features. The original beer taps are still here and I always love coming in here as it’s one of the few bars in Leiden where you can have a conversation without screaming over the music. The staff speaks good English in addition to Dutch.
Heineken is a brand that is 142 years old. Before it was a
Although the stools aren’t so comfortable to sit in, there’s something about leaning across the bar to ask for a
What to order at De Vergulde Kruik
They have a great selection of high-quality G&Ts (Gin and Tonics) with high quality Dutch and British gins. I can personally recommend their G&Ts although they also have a decent selection of local beers.
Of course, you can order a Heineken. However, for something a bit more interesting, I usually order an IJwit or another craft beer from Brouwerij ‘t IJ in Amsterdam given the opportunity. They also have a good selection of Belgian beers by the bottle and on tap. They stock the local Leiden beer, Leidsch beer as well. Don’t be
I have ordered their reasonably priced bitterballen and snacks a number of times. Both are standard Dutch bar food. Just take a small nip out of your
Tips for visiting De Vergulde Kruik
It’s always quite busy here during after work drinks on Fridays as well as Saturday evenings. For a bit of piece of quiet, come here in the afternoon before the work crowds arrive as it becomes hard to get a seat. It’s often standing room only on weekend evenings.
If you’re a foreigner visiting this cozy brown bar in Leiden, be sure to bring cash with you. (There’s a cash point near Leiden Centraal.) They only accept Maestro cards at the moment. It’s a bit of a pain, but it’s a reality of traveling in smaller cities in the Netherlands.
