Image by Anne-Marie Ros

I am not a real whiskey drinker but once a friend served me a whiskey that tasted so smooth and soft, what actually changed my idea about this drink. Maybe because of this a new shop ‘WHISKYBASE.com’ attracted my attention?

WHISKYBASE.com started as a website years ago by some Dutch whiskey passionates. If you check out their on-line whiskey community you will see they have members from all over the world. As a member you can upload your own whiskey collection!

Doesn’t a collection always starts with one? I think no one will blame you when you drink your own collection;)

Since late 2011 WHISKYBASE.com openend a shop at the Zwaanshals 540. The only shop in the North of Europe that is 100% dedicated to whiskey from all over the world. 

Check them out, as it will be a nice experience. The owners are on a mission and that is ‘sharing their love for whiskey’ with you. They sell small sampling bottles for you to try.

Since the opening I have been there several times to buy a nice whisky to give away as a present and each time they suggest a different kind, depending on the person I am buying it for.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
WHISKYBASE.com | Shopping | Taste samples € 2.50
Zwaanshals 540 | Noord
Tue – Thu 10:30 – 18:00, Fri 10:30 – 21:00, Sat 10:30 – 17:00, Sun 12:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Rénia Sastrowidjojo

In between the Zwaanshals and the river Rotte tucked away in a block of houses is Rotabs. An interestingly shaped building.

It was empty for some time after having served as a building for the municipal sanitation service Rotab. Hence the name Rotabs.

Luckily this place was included in the renovation plans to spruce up the entire block which is still in progress. The building is now turned into a creative warehouse where entrepreneurs of diverse disciplines have put up small businesses.

The inside is divided into several units which have tenants like a photographer, a publisher, a goldsmith, a café and a gallery. There are some units left waiting for other daring adventurers to set up shop and where new neighbors have opened shops on the Zaagmolenkade recently.

Initiator Paul Posse is active in the neighbourhood and hopes to create an area like a Camden Town in the Oude Noorden. As Rotabs can be pretty hard to find even for locals, a special bus service is in the making to transport anyone interested to visit this part of the town where much is waiting to be discovered.

Want to find it yourself? Just walk into the Zwaanshals where there’s an entrance through a building leading you to Rotabs. Or do a Route du Nord weekend or visit the Swan Market which is organized several times; an introduction to this area and it’s creative spots, artists and variety of shops.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
ROTABS Stylecenter | Art & culture, Festivals & events, Music, Shopping
Zaagmolenkade 46 | Noord | +31653623230
Wed – Fri 10:00 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 -17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Alexander

More 2nd hand clothing shops = better. It’s not the cheapest one, this one, but that’s also not the strong point (though it has some nice offers every now and then).

The best thing is that the collection and the interior strike a perfect balance between smelly garbage shops and over-hyped vintage. Forget rummaging through grannypants and oversized sweaters from the 80s, this shop has a complete outfit for nearly every semi-hip event and theme party you can think of. From sheepskin carpets to leather catsuits to Palestinian scarfs to hillbilly diamond blouses and high heeled shoes.

I think my last outfit that came from this shop turned out as a white, 1920′s summer outfit worn by French dandy youth who did nothing but read philosophy, flirt in gardens and play games. I had a petanque tournament, so yes, this was perfectly acceptable.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Cheap Fashion | Shopping | Accessories € 7.50
Meent 25 | Noord | +31104126473
Tue – Thu 09:30 – 17:30, Fri 09:30 – 20:30, Sat 09:30 – 16:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by ALexander

On the other side of town, check out PlusPunt. It’s a sight and site that you don’t see often in the Netherlands. If you enter through the gate on the Noorderhavenkade, you end up on a bicycle-stuffed courtyard surrounded by old shipping containers.

Every container is modified with a grinder into a mini-shop with a colourful sign. The end result is more than a bicycle repair shop, computer shop, clothing shop and second hand shop together: this is a trailer park circus.

In sharp contrast with the spaciously arranged Piekfijn (check the Piekfijn article) and HetGoed, these container are stacked top-to-bottom for maximum storage efficiency. The twenty or so gents and dames that populate the trailers are part of a supported labour trajectory. They are extremely helpful and happy with their activities. If you’re searching a racebike, they’ll go on the lookout for one.

Otherwise Pluspunt is a nice spot to have your bike fixed, get your hand-stripped copper wires or just look around and chat a bit. Since March they’ve expanded the bicycle workshop and now they also make pies. Why not.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pluspunt | Art & culture, Shopping | 4 wineglasses € 1
Noorderhavenkade 142 | Noord | +31104676614
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 16:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by ALexander

The single most cozy Turkish coffee place I know. In general, coffee houses don’t seem to consider fluorescent tubes and plastic chairs as non-attractive features. In fact, these seem to replace the need for exterior signs or decoration (like the one that recently occupied what still looks like coffeeshop “High Score: no sales to those double parked” – come on, this is asking for confusion, no?)

Nika on the other hand has more to offer than a nice ambiance inside. Its mixture of a cafe, traditional shop, apple pie, wifi and art gallery attracts a nice cultural variety of people. During lunchtime it can even get crowded. Their own brand of coffee is prepared according to their recipe, from the burning process on, and makes a fairly good espresso. And apparently I’m not the only one who thinks so. Modesty not being one of their crucial virtues, they’ve got their four “coffee trophies” clearly in sight and written on a sign outside. Hey, why not. Update: now they do toasted sandwiches & wine too.

The only downside might be the three-legged tables. I’m just really not able to keep myself from leaning on the wrong side.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Nika | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Espresso € 2.10
Benthuizerstraat 94a | Noord | +31102457940
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Alexander

This is actually a simple neighbourhood bakery shop. It started out as a half-bankrupt baked goods shop when the new owner decided to throw things around a bit. After some more and less successful experiments he’s now also selling some meats, cheeses and fresh juices + sandwiches.

Maybe it’s not too special, but I love to go there and buy whole unsliced breads in crispy bags. Reasons being; it’s close to my house, reasonably priced and the owner is downright fanatic about his goods. I have no clue on his general customers or how he’s doing, but he has a heart for selling good quality food to whoever passes by. And a two chair terrace. That works for me.

Small anecdote. He started baking a few breads himself last year, just for the fun of it. This was ok until the National Hygiene Police came to visit. After a quick glance, they gave him two generous choices: quit baking or rebuild the entire back office into something proper…He’s still allowed to finish pre-baked breads in the oven, so that’s what he does. I think it’s worth supporting guys like this a bit.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Het Broodwinkeltje | Shopping, Snacks | “Best” Bread € 3
Rodenrijselaan 40a | Noord | +31102652567
Mon – Sat 07:00 – 16:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Anne-marie Ros

Lof der Zoetheid is an AMAZING and UNIQUE place for breakfast, lunch and sweet things from Thu – Sun. It’s usually very busy so be patient and wait to be seated as the food will make up for the waiting;) Located at Noordplein 1, next to Kookpunt  - the shop where you can buy everything for the kitchen.

The ladies of Lof der Zoetheid makes the travel worth to the North:) If you doubt what to choose from the menu and you’re with a friend, they offer you a tasting with soup of the day, different bread, cheeses, cold cuts and side kicks like pumpkin marmelade, onion-cherry – and tomato chili jam and more for under €10,00 a person. Pie with salad, Soup of the day with bread, Beef stew with Leffe and bread from Jordy’s Bakery. They serve my favourite beer Vedett and some nice wines.

For those who love sweets, try their home made chocolate or their famous cheese cake. Every detail is special at Lof der Zoetheid, the record player, the crockery with Anastasia’s designs, the afternoon tea in a box is a great gift, the old school furniture, the open kitchen, the special teas.

If you go once and let them spoil you with DELICIOUS food and GREAT coffee, tea, freshly made hot chocolate or home made lemonade and ice tea, you’ll end up finding excuses to go there over and over again:) Keep an eye on their facebook-wall!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Lof der Zoetheid | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Ecological)
Noordplein 1 | Noord | +31102650070
Thu – Sat 10:00 – 17:30, Sun 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Rénia Sastrowidjojo

I’d like to think that Rotterdam not only started to appreciate it’s old(er) constructions but also wants to give people a chance to transform and re-use these places when they shut down and lost their functionality.

The monumental Hofbogen is one of these places, a 1,9 km long viaduct railroad, the Hofpleinlijn, in the north part of town which goes from Rotterdam to the Hague. It was built in the beginning of the 20th century to carry mostly people to the beach of Scheveningen but also connected with other small cities in between.

The former Hofpleinstation has been the location for several interesting performances like the wintercinema or dancepiece Common Ground by dance company Conny Janssen Danst.

Some spaces underneath are already in use by mostly small businesses and occupies also art collective Cucosa but a big part of this construction looked forlorn and neglected. The part at former Hofpleinstation is being fabulously renovated and will house the Mini Mall.

It’s where new jazz joint and stage Bird, ComiQuest for comic addicts, a coffeebar and more can be found soon and will bring new lively vibrations in this a bit forgotten area. Info Mini Mall and they opened 2/9/2011. Come around and see for yourself!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Monumental Hofbogen | Art & culture, Bars, Shopping
Raampoortstraat 30 | Noord | +31102653391
Check website

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Rénia Sastrowidjojo

The old North, squeezed between 3 waters – the Noordsingel, the river Rotte and the Noorderkanaal. Here you’ll find 2 small areas in the northern part close to the center. Locals tend to gather them both as Het Oude Noorden (the Old North). Despite a certain reputation as so-called ‘hotspot’ (not a good thing here), I’ve lived many happy years in this buzzing multicultural area which is definitely worth a visit (and for shopping).

A little introduction and historical facts: The Old North used to belong to a ‘manor’ till the 19th century. The ‘manor’ has a special Dutch name, ‘ambachtsheerlijkheid’. This means that either some nobility or a city has ownership of a certain territory. They don’t ‘own’ the land, but have certain rights – a leftover of the feudal system.

Historic streets like Zwaanshals, now great for shopping, already got mentioned in the 16th century and was known as both a small area and the name of a house (Swaenshals). Two typical houses are turned into a museum where you can have a glimpse of the past.

The Liskwartier (quarter) is named after Lischwater. What’s left is a small pond nearby. This area has grand houses, lanes and broad streets with the monumental Bergsingel church. The stately Rodenrijselaan, Bergselaan and Bergsingel are just a few streets to wander around for the architecture and the atmosphere.

There was a substantial Jewish community here, most didn’t survive the concentration camps during WWII. You can still find a shelter at Schiebroekselaan.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Oude Noorden/Liskwartier | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
From Noordplein on | Noord
Museum Wed 12:30 – 17:00 and by appointment

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Rénia Sastrowidjojo

Unbeknownst from each other both artists Sandra Breuer and Marcel Niehoff have a peculiar taste and broad flavour for furniture and stuff made in the ’50s to the ’80s of last century. They collected a lot of things over the years and their collection expanded.

They bumped into each other in the Old North and found out they collected the same things. As well as sharing the habit of ringing people’s doorbells when they see something interesting hanging from the ceiling or on the wall while passing by.

Sandra and Marcel decided to find a studio together and partially decorated it with some furniture for extra atmosphere. Visitors were interested to buy what they saw there. This encouraged them to start a real store with enough room to display their enormous and varied collection of furniture, lamps, ceramics and anything that catches their eye.

The SPAM shop is located at the Zwaanshals in a nicely renovated building and across the street in a former electronic store. They have more space now for their extensive collection.

It’s also possible to buy from their webshop. The shop itself is inviting to snoop around and perhaps you’ll find that missing piece of chair, couch, table or music you’ve been looking for.

They are also the initiators of Route du Nord, a nice event to discover the area and what it has to offer. Even ukulele lovers can visit this shop when they host the Ukulele Jamboree from time to time and people gather to have a jam session.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
SPAM | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Shopping | From € 10.00
Zaagmolendrift 53 | Noord | +31642437036
Wed – Sat 11:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam