The Suicide Club

I’ve only been here once. Finding the place and getting in was a bit of a chore to begin with. Their website makes it look more like a private members club.
We sat at the bar and had a few drinks. I’ve heard the food is good, but I didn’t try anything so I can’t comment on that. I tried a few different cocktails, which were fine but I wouldn’t rush back to have them again. In my (limited) experience, it was painfully slow service. I was sitting at the bar but the bartender never looked up! I felt like I had to wave and (almost) shout to get his attention. Then it took a long time to make the drinks. And once, he took our order and just forgot about us…
Maybe this was a isolated case, but I wasn’t impressed and I haven’t been back.

The suicide club wants to be a bit mysterious and exclusive by telling you that you have to be a member to be able to make a reservation. To become a member they need some personal information and they would like to know your life philosophy. Wow! That makes me feel special if I am granted a membership. But once inside the place is so INclusive. Which is great. No wannabees, nothing pretentious, just passionate and friendly people in the kitchen and at the bar. The guests are not snobs at all, which you might expect from the way they present themselves on the website. Why then not cut this crap and just present the place as the trendy inclusive place you have to visit in Rotterdam? Probably because it is pretty hard to find and before you have this word going around you need something extra. The club is situated on the 8^th floor of the Groothandelsgebouw. You have to enter into the main hall, past the night receptionist and then into the inner garden where you’ll find the entrance totally unexpected. After a welcome from the doorman and leaving your coat at the hostess you are summoned to take the goods elevated to the 8^th floor where you enter the place through the kitchen. Just check out the photo’s for an impression of great food, drinks and atmosphere.

So there I was, hanging in Rotterdam and wondering what to do for dinner. I started doing what anyone with access to the web would do. I searched the web for restaurants nearby. Obviously the name alone caught my attention after reading the web I knew I wanted to check it out. I was a little worried as it states a membership is required. After an email and quick correspondence I had a reservation to check out this very chic place. Getting up to the Suicide club reminded of some speak easies in the states as you go through one place to get up there. The elevator dropped me off in the kitchen and I was promptly greeted and was seated at the bar. The whole experience was absolutely amazing. They use liquid nitrogen to chill some of their delicious drinks and also use it to chill their glasses. It was entertaining to watch. I ordered the tasting menu which had 12 courses for 54 €. All of the courses were a great size portion. However, the pork belly was to die for. The service was awesome and very attentive. I want to plan another trip to Rotterdam just to go back.