Terraces outside the tourist areas in The Hague may remain open longer until 1 November 2025. With a new pilot, hospitality entrepreneurs can keep their terraces open an hour longer on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 23:00 to 24:00. This is an extension of the ‘nice weather regulation’ that was introduced last year. The pilot started last month.
Alderman Nur Icar (MKB) is enthusiastic about the plan: “This pilot is a great opportunity for both our entrepreneurs and the local residents. By extending the opening hours of terraces, we give catering entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow their business. The extension means more customers, more income and a stronger local economy. At the same time, we also ensure more liveliness and conviviality in the neighborhoods, which strengthens social cohesion and makes the neighbourhood more attractive for both residents and visitors. It is a pilot that contributes to a vibrant The Hague.”
Pilot
The pilot is a follow-up to the successful ‘nice weather regulation’ introduced in 2024, whereby terraces were allowed to remain open for an hour longer at temperatures of 25 degrees or higher. The evaluation of this regulation showed that there were no reports of nuisance. During a participation process on the terrace policy, catering entrepreneurs and local residents indicated that they needed clear rules. In order to provide more clarity, the extension of opening hours is now applied as standard during the summer terrace season.
Conditions of the pilot:
- The extended opening hours only apply to terraces that belong to a catering establishment with category 2 opening hours outside the tourist areas. For more information about the tourist areas, click here .
- The extension only applies to Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and nights in the summer terrace season from March 1 to November 1.
- Hospitality entrepreneurs must coordinate the extended opening hours well with the local community, for example by contacting residents’ organizations.
- In case of nuisance, activities on the terrace must be stopped immediately.
Evaluation
The pilot will be evaluated together with the terrace policy after the summer terrace season. Depending on the results of this evaluation, the municipality will consider whether the expansion will be implemented definitively.
More information can be found here (in Dutch)
Text & Image: Gemeente Den Haag , Translation The Hague Online
Featured photo: People on the terrace at Anna Paulownaplein.