Drinks at REM Helipad-Rooftop: Pirate Story, Design Cuisine, Architecture, Views

✍️ Quote of the Day:
“Some outings feed your stomach. Others feed your sense of wonder.”
— M, Meetup Organizer

***

🔍 Event Overview

There’s drinks and bites… and then there’s drinks and bites at REM — a visionary reinvention of a 1960s pirate radio and TV tower into into a layered culinary playground. Bold history, inventive gastronomy, striking architecture, stylish interior, and stellar views converge across three floors of mood-shifting experience.

Once floating off the Dutch coast, REM Island broadcasted TV Noordzee, a rebellious pirate station that challenged the norms of Dutch media. Decommissioned, relocated to Amsterdam’s Houthavens in 2011, and fully renovated, it now thrives as a restaurant, bar, and rooftop destination unlike any other in town.

Perched 22 meters above the water, REM offers a rare vantage point over the IJ River, Minervahaven, and Amsterdam-West’s evolving skyline. The Houthavens itself — a former timber harbor — has transformed into a post-industrial cultural hotspot, blending maritime history with modern design.

Every corner of REM invites lingering — from eccentric cocktails and globally inspired plates to views so arresting that might pause your conversation mid-sentence. REM structure looks bold and futuristic, with a hint of retro nostalgia: it blends its industrial past with playful ‘80s retro touches and modern fine-dining aesthetics—a space that feels both stylish and mischievous. Many dishes feature Dutch-sourced ingredients, honoring the island’s offshore legacy, while the menu boldly experiments with unexpected flavors and centuries-old techniques.

REM offers three Layers of Experience

• Ground Level / Bar – Inventive cocktails, finger foods, exclusive Dutch beers, sustainable wines.
• Mid-Level / Restaurant – Casual fine dining with a playful edge; tasting menus or à la carte, all grounded in Dutch heritage and world flavors.
• Top Level / Rooftop – Helipad-turned-terrace, heaters and windshields for year-round comfort, and sunsets that feel cinematic.

***

🤔 Why Is This an Uncommon Experience?

REM isn’t just about food or drinks — it’s about history, architecture, rebelliousness and creativity. From pirate broadcasting to culinary artistry, it’s a venue that thrives on curiosity and risk-taking. This event is perfect for:

• Adventurous eaters who crave twists in their plates
• Aesthetic souls who appreciate places as much as dishes
• Conversationalists who see food/architecture as a starting point
• Curious spirits who know “uncommon” often means “memorable”

***

🍴 What You’ll Experience

• Exploring the REM platform, discovering its legacy and architecture
• Rooftop drinks and bites with 360° city and river views
• Creative bites such as watermelon sashimi or tomato tartare
• Dishes blending Dutch heritage with unexpected global flavors
• A chance to witness sunset and city lights over Amsterdam

***

📅 Schedule

• 19:00 – Welcome at the bar, enjoy a cocktail and explore the platform (photography lovers, do not forget to bring your camera, the place is just A-MA-ZING!)
• 19:45 – Rooftop drinks and finger foods as the sun sets over the IJ
• 21:15 – Optional: dinner (expect 70€+ cost per person, reserve on your own) or continue rooftop nightcaps under the stars and city lights

***

✅ Practical Details
📍 Location: REM Restaurant & Rooftop, Haparandadam 45-2, Amsterdam
🎟️ Price: Pay-your-own food and drinks (check the menu here: https://rem.amsterdam/en/the-menu/)
👗 Dress code: Smart casual attire is suggested by REM — plus a layer for rooftop breezes

NOTE: You can reach REM by public transport. From Amsterdam Central Station, you can take bus 48 (Direction Houthavens) and hop off at Koivistokade. From the bus stop, it’s about a 10 minute walk.

***

👄 The Artist Speaks: Chef Bobby Rust on REM

> “At REM, we push the boundaries of traditional gastronomy. Our passion is for Dutch products and unique ingredients you won’t find anywhere else. With our feet in the water, we have a love for the sea — and we blend artisanal techniques with modern cooking methods to create unexpected flavors.” — Bobby Rust

***

❓ Did You Know? One of those hidden Dutch stories expats rarely come fully across — the tale of TV Noordzee, The Rebel Broadcaster

1. Origins and Purpose:
TV Noordzee was an offshore commercial television station that began broadcasting in 1964 from REM Island, a platform in the North Sea. At a time when the Netherlands had only publicly funded, state-run TV, the station offered a completely new, unregulated form of entertainment, including commercials, pop music, and innovative programming. Its goal was to bypass government restrictions and bring alternative content to Dutch audiences.

2. Pirate Broadcasting
Since commercial broadcasting was illegal in the Netherlands at the time, TV Noordzee operated as a “pirate station”, much like offshore radio stations such as Radio Veronica. The platform’s offshore location allowed it to transmit signals beyond the reach of Dutch law, reaching millions of viewers.

3. Popularity
Despite its short life, TV Noordzee quickly gained a huge following, attracting viewers who were hungry for something different than the official state channels. It aired shows, music programs, and commercial content that was considered radical and exciting for its time.

4. Government Crackdown
The Dutch government, unprepared for commercial TV, passed legislation specifically to halt the broadcasts. On December 17, 1964, at 9 a.m., a raid took place on REM Island, ending TV Noordzee’s broadcasts. The station’s pioneering work lasted less than a year.

5. Relocation
After being decommissioned, the island sat in storage for decades before being moved to Amsterdam’s Houthavens in 2011. The relocation preserved much of its original structure while transforming it into a safe, accessible venue.

6. Legacy
TV Noordzee is remembered as a trailblazer in Dutch media, challenging state control and introducing audiences to commercial broadcasting and pop culture programming. The island’s rebellious spirit lives on today in REM Restaurant, which channels the same bold, rule-defying energy through food, cocktails, and immersive design.

7. Cultural Significance
TV Noordzee demonstrated the appetite for alternative media and the power of creativity and risk-taking, showing that even a tiny offshore platform could have a national impact. It also helped pave the way for the eventual legalization of commercial broadcasting in the Netherlands in the decades that followed.

***

🤓 Learn more:

For bringing the pirate radio and TV history to life, watch these archive videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox3Ju3zhFxs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia5Dhm9NM3M

General info:
https://rem.amsterdam/en/
https://www.therooftopguide.com/rooftop-bars-in-amsterdam/rem.html