After-work Drinks and Live Music at Dutch Haven

Enjoy an authentic Holland-style borreluur every Friday evening at this Northern Suburbs-based bistro

It may go by a different name here, but the Netherlands-inspired concept of borreluur is also Capetonians’ favourite pastime: stopping by a neighbourhood haunt for some booze and bites after work. And because Dutch Haven bistro in Durbanville knows that its local guests appreciate the notion, it’s encouraging all patrons to pop in for a beer, a bitterbal and a bit of live music every Friday afternoon from 4pm.

Hidden away in a little courtyard in the Northern Suburbs, the family-friendly eatery blends a trendy, all-white interior with a warm and cheerful energy that lends itself to post-grind winding down. And with tables both inside behind floor-to-ceiling glass windows and outside on the sunny patio, it’s perfect for an early evening dop no matter what the weather.

The sleek bar, which stretches across one side of the restaurant, sells Grolsch beer on tap (the eatery is one of only two in the Northern Suburbs to do so, and only at R28 for 500mL) as well as various other very affordably priced bottled brews, wines, whiskies, rums and more. Being a Dutch bistro, the haven also serves up a number of Holland-themed morsels, like kroketten (croquettes), bitterballen (round croquettes) and patat speciaal (hot chips with ketchup, mayonnaise and chopped onion) that go down a treat with a tipple.

Though, once the uur (hour) is over, if you’re keen to be joined by the wife or husband and kids for a longer and more leisurely dinner, then this is certainly an option too. The menu claims a number of more substantial meals – burgers, platters and gourmet sandwiches, for instance – as well as a vast assortment of nibbles for little ones. Plus, there’s an outdoor jungle gym in front and a baby play area on the side of the building, so kiddies are kept distracted.

As far as the adults are concerned, they’ll be entertained by live music sung by gifted students from nearby performing arts school The Stage. Belting out tunes from the restaurant’s couch every Friday, these budding stars, who bring along guitars, drums and other instruments, keep spirits high and add to the jovial ambience. Otherwise, the bistro is home to two flat-screen televisions, much to the delight of sports lovers.

Top entertainment, tasty food and cut-price drinks – they’re all the ingredients necessary to make for a memorable borreluur. So, next time you’re in the mood to throw back an after-work beer the Dutch way, remember this contemporary Durbanville dining spot.

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Hungry for more details about this Northern Suburbs-based bistro? Read on about our experience dining at Dutch Haven restaurant in Durbanville.

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