The Grote Markt is one of those bustling and fun places in The Hague you simply want to hang out all day. The atmosphere at the Grote Markt is always friendly and the night life attracts lots of creative and quirky people. The square in the city centre is home to a variety of hospitality venues, from a proper Dutch pub (bruin café) to cocktail bars, and from pop podiums to high-end restaurants. The Grote Markt is called the city’s “Pop District” for a good reason. Live concerts are organised here throughout the year, in collaboration with pop podium Paard van Troje, down the road.
The best restaurants at the Grote Markt are Boterwaag, September, De Zwarte Ruiter, Zèta and Vavoom Tikiroom. In the summer, the square turns into one big terrace that stays busy until far into the night. During the summer months, the Grote Markt is transformed into ‘the pop district’ of The Hague, where you can enjoy countless performances by all manner of bands and entertainers.
The square was built in 1614, at the site of a former nunnery, and served as a fruit and vegetable market. The Grote Markt soon became the main food market of the city. In addition to fruit and vegetables, traders also sold their corn, butter and cheese here, which were brought in from the Westland via the Prinsegracht. This resulted in the building of large mercantile houses, such as the Koorenhuis (for corn and wheat) and the Boterhuis (for butter). Around 1900, most of canals in the centre of The Hague were filled in, including the Prinsegracht, and the market was moved. From the 1970s onwards the square became a major entertainment area with a great night life scene. The old Boterhuis from 1650, renamed Boterwaag, was restored and now serves as a grand café. The other historic buildings around the square, such as De Zwarte Ruiter, were also transformed into bars and restaurants.
Are you planning a visit to the Grote Markt in The Hague? Park your car at an affordable rate and nearby at the Helicon car park. Book your parking space and park for an entire day from €10 with Day Trip Parking. Do you to come to the Grote Markt for drinks or dinner? With Avond Parking, you can park here to enjoy an evening out for just €5.
Parking on 1 day from €10,-