Wijkcollectie Foundation and Museum Rotterdam in Search of the Most Authentic Brown Pub in Rotterdam
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Press
The Wijkcollectie Foundation and Museum Rotterdam Join Forces to Find the Most Authentic Brown Pub in Rotterdam
The traditional brown pub — once the beating heart of Rotterdam’s neighbourhoods — is rapidly disappearing. The Wijkcollectie Foundation and Museum Rotterdam are teaming up to map these pubs and investigate which of them deserves the designation “Real Rotterdam Heritage”. With this initiative, both institutions aim to highlight the importance of these spaces for the city’s social fabric.
Council want to save the traditional brown pub
The impetus for this search stems from a motion passed by the Rotterdam City Council on 19 December, carrying a clear message: “It must always be gezellig in the Rotterdam pub.”
The motion highlights the increasing pressure on traditional brown pubs, which are increasingly giving way to trendy coffee bars and modern nightlife venues. At the same time, there are still pubs where regulars meet daily, and where the atmosphere and hospitality remain very much alive.
In response, the City Council has called for an inventory of brown pubs that may qualify for the “Real Rotterdam Heritage” designation. Currently, De Schouw stands as the only recognised example in this category — although it no longer exists in its original form.
Pub Visits
In a series of pub visits, Nicole van Dijk, director of the Wijkcollectie Foundation, and Léontine Meijer-van Mensch, director of Museum Rotterdam, are on the hunt for the pub most deserving of the title “Real Rotterdam Heritage.”
They will assess establishments based on criteria such as their connection to the city, social function, and their ability to inspire the community.
The organisations are not undertaking this search alone — Rotterdammers are invited to nominate their favourite brown pub by emailing [email protected] or visiting www.wijkcollectie.nl.
