Jeneverie ‘t Spul / Borrelmuseum

Description

Alright, picture this: you wander into a bar, but it’s not just any bar. You’re smack in the middle of Schiedam, the gin capital of the Netherlands, and you’ve stumbled into Jeneverie ‘t Spul and the Borrelmuseum. It sounds kind of magical already, doesn’t it? I’ve got to tell you, even for someone like me who’s seen their fair share of watering holes, ‘t Spul is a proper show-stopper. Imagine over 400 types of jenever (Dutch gin, for the uninitiated) stacked up behind the counter, all practically winking at you to give them a try. And these folks are fanatics about their craft, in the best possible way.

The front is your inviting, chatty bar space. Take a peek behind, though, and you’ll discover a hidden gem: the Borrelmuseum. This back room is set up to spill the secrets of jenever and Schiedam itself. I’m always a sucker for a place that lets you drink in the history—literally. You’ll find old distilling tools, cheeky stories about Dutch booze, and handwritten notes scrawled by the sort of people who probably would’ve gotten along brilliantly with pirates.

And honestly, the atmosphere? It’s everything you want after a day of wandering the slightly damp, cobblestone streets of this old gin town. The crowd is a hodgepodge: regulars chewing over old times, tourists like us gaping at the rows of bottles, musicians rolling in for a jam. Dogs flopping at their human’s heels, kids getting a quick lesson in Dutch history (no, they aren’t drinking), and even the odd professor from the Illustere School next door, prepping for a lecture on who-knows-what. If you’re even slightly curious about local culture, you’ll find it fermenting here by the barrel.

Plus, if you fall in love with a particular jenever—and with that selection, odds are high—you just waltz over to their liquor shop and snag a bottle to take home. I’ve done it myself…more than once, to be honest.

Key Features

• Over 400 distinct types of jenever (you read that right)
• Micro Borrelmuseum (drink up Dutch gin history and trivia while you sip)
• Regular guided jenever tastings—ask at the bar or arrange your own, if you’re feeling fancy
• On-site spirits shop specializing in local jenever (no guilt in loving a sample and taking a bottle home)
• Live music on an actual grand piano and other instruments—yes, the musicians are often stellar, sometimes downright captivating
• Cabaret nights with local and rising comedic talent—because nothing pairs with gin better than a belly laugh
• Annual lectures courtesy of the Illustere School Schiedam, covering everything from gin alchemy to, well, who knows what they’ll dream up next
• Chilled indoor seating, dog-friendly, LGBTQ+ friendly, and there’s outdoor seating when the sun deigns to show up
• Decent bar snacks and light bites to keep you from wobbling off your barstool
• Gender-neutral restroom and proper Wi-Fi, for those inevitable photos of your latest jenever conquest
• Contactless and card payments accepted (leave your cash at home, if you like living dangerously)
• Warm, cozy, and casual vibe, but with a definite “insider” feel to it

Best Time to Visit

From my own wandering and tasting, late afternoon into evening is when ‘t Spul really comes alive. This isn’t a place for early risers—you won’t get much out of it at 10 a.m. unless you’re planning to start your day with a bang, which…hey, no judgment. Fridays and Saturdays are when the live music and cabaret action usually heat up. The vibe is chatty, relaxed, and full of pleasant surprise—locals seem to trickle in after work, arguing over which jenever trumps the rest and swapping stories only the Dutch could dream up. If you’re a fan of less crowded experiences, midweek visits feel a bit more personal and you can actually hear yourself think (and also hear the bartender wax poetic about the difference between old Geneva and new).

If I had to pick a favorite season, late spring and early autumn snag the top spot. The air is soft, you can sit outside (thank you, patio seating), and just soak up those lazy Dutch afternoons. Holidays in Schiedam tend to be spirited—pun intended—so you might catch a once-in-a-lifetime event if you’re there at the right time. Either way, give yourself at least a solid hour or two here. Honestly, you might wish you had all night.

How to Get There

I’m all for convenient locations, and ‘t Spul delivers. It’s smack dab in the old center of Schiedam, which means pretty much any local transit option is likely to get you close. If you’re coming from Rotterdam or Amsterdam, just hop on the train to Schiedam Centrum. From the station, it’s a short (10-15 minute) picturesque walk. You wind past classic Dutch canals (watch your step, I almost tumbled in last time), over some historic bridges, and straight into the friendly chaos of Hoogstraat.

If you’re the cycling sort, you’ll be thrilled. Schiedam is painfully easy to bike around. Lock up at the front; no one will side-eye your helmet or wellies here. By car? Streets are old and narrow—parking can be a bit of a headache, but it’s doable with some patience and luck. Pro tip: there’s more parking towards the outskirts. For the truly enthusiastic (or the slightly lost), taxis or ride shares are readily available, and the drivers usually know ‘t Spul by name.

Tips for Visiting

Okay, so you’re ready to live your best jenever-sampling life. Here’s what I’d tell my best friend if they were going to ‘t Spul for the first time.

• Don’t be shy—ask for a tasting flight. The bartenders know their stuff and love recommending jenevers you won’t find anywhere else. I once discovered an odd, pepper-infused jenever that knocked my socks off!
• Pace yourself. 400+ options is a marathon, not a sprint, and some jenevers are seriously boozy. Don’t try and conquer the wall in one go—pick a theme: aged, botanical, or perhaps “the weirdest you’ve got.”
• Check the events calendar (or just ask what’s coming up). Live music, cabaret, weird and wonderful lectures—it’s not your usual pub night. I once caught an impromptu jazz set that just about made my trip.
• Bring a curious mind. The Borrelmuseum is compact, sure, but the stories the staff and owners share are half the magic. If something catches your eye (odd still? Antique bottle?), just ask!
• Sample, then purchase. The attached store specializes in unique jenevers. It’s hard to walk away empty-handed, so maybe leave a little extra room in your bag. Don’t worry about airport security: they’ll wrap it up safe for travel.
• Mix with locals. Regulars are friendly—and prone to spinning yarns about the city. Some of my favorite travel stories started from a chance conversation at the bar here.
• Dress casual. You could roll in after a day’s sightseeing or right off your bike, mud and all. No one’s judging your gear (or your slightly disheveled travel hair).
• Bring your dog if you have one—no one minds, and honestly, half the patrons seem to come with a canine sidekick.
• Kids are fine for the museum aspect. It sounds strange, but it’s part history lesson, part Dutch tradition. The bar itself? Maybe not for the little ones after 7 p.m.—but hey, early in the day there’s nothing rowdy.

So, if you’re hunting for a slice of Dutch history wrapped up with laughter, music, and arguably the finest selection of jenever anywhere, give Jeneverie ‘t Spul and the Borrelmuseum an afternoon (or evening) of your time. I’ve always left happier than I arrived, and there aren’t many places I can say that about—especially after a generous jenever or three.

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