The highest bar in town since 1987

Café de Zolder has been on the first floor of Papengang 3A since 1987, an alley right in the centre of Groningen. The name gives it away: ‘zolder’ means attic, so you take the stairs. Upstairs you find a bar of a kind that has become rare, with a stage, a pool table, a well-stocked bar and a garden where you can sit late into summer nights.

Music is the thread. On Wednesdays there is JazzZolder!: a band opens the night, then the stage is open for improvisation and anyone who wants to join. On Thursdays there is the BluesRock-Jam, rooted in blues and rock, freer and more open in spirit. At the weekend there are bands and DJs, from reggae and ska to hip hop and punk. De Zolder has been the stage for Pleuropsonic, HipHop050, Skasjock and many others for years.

Many of our guests are students from all over the world, musicians from the conservatory and neighbours who have been coming here for decades. Everyone is welcome, as long as you like a relaxed night out.