Since 2011, Hannekes Boom has become a recognizable meeting point on the waterfront, right by the Oosterdok. The wooden building deliberately looks a bit improvised: a kind of hut made of reused materials, with loose details and an almost DIY look. Inside and outside blend together, with large doors, lots of wood and simple furnishings.
The big asset is the terrace along the waterfront. Around it are several levels with seating areas, right down to the jetty. From the edge you look out over the Oosterdok and the harbor-like surroundings around it, with constant movement of boats and passersby. On sunny days, people sit at long, shared tables or plop down on benches along the quay.
Hannekes Boom works with self-service: you order and pay at the bar and then pick up your drinks, snacks or simple dishes. No hassle with courses or formal service, but a bar-restaurant where it's all about sitting together. The offerings are geared toward drinks and casual dining, in keeping with the casual nature of the place.
Hannekes Boom works with self-service: you order and pay at the bar and then pick up your drinks, snacks or simple dishes.
That this place has become so well known is also related to the history of the name. Maps from the seventeenth century already show a location with the same name, linked to the maritime environment. The current Hannekes Boom loosely follows on from this: not a historical museum, but a waterfront café that fits into the long tradition of this part of town.