Barrevoets

Barrevoets was located at Kleine Kerkstraat 41 in the city center of Leeuwarden. The venue opened there in October 2014, combining coffee, lunch, and other drinks. As of June 19, 2026, the location is listed as temporarily closed. A local city guide reports that the business is expected to continue under the name Lils. Lils’ social media profile lists the same address and refers to staff members transferring from Barrevoets. The Barrevoets website is still online.

Friends Ralph Pol and Jan Willem Schoot founded Barrevoets together. According to the company’s own information, both had several years of experience in the hospitality industry. They combined this experience into a single concept focused on coffee, food, and personal attention to guests.

The name Barrevoets had a double meaning. Literally, the word referred to walking barefoot. It also served as a play on the English words “bar” and “foods.” According to the founders, the name was meant to represent a down-to-earth, honest, and nature-oriented approach.

The offering included coffee, tea, smoothies, beer, and other drinks. Lunch dishes and pastries were also on the menu. Barrevoets stated that the pastries and lunch dishes were prepared in their own kitchen. The menu marked the 2014 opening with the Roman numerals “MMXIV.”

DutchBeans supplied the coffee beans to Barrevoets. Both the supplier and Barrevoets made this partnership public. The venue described the coffee as direct trade but did not publish data on individual plantations, origin regions, or specific coffee lots. Therefore, the exact supply chain cannot be traced based on the available information.

The online menu for hot drinks listed coffee, espresso, double espresso, cappuccino, and latte macchiato. There was also an iced coffee with whipped cream. This menu confirms that espresso formed the basis for several coffee drinks. The lunch menu also referred to a selection of “special coffees,” without providing recipes or technical details.

Manual brewing methods such as V60, AeroPress, Chemex, and French press are not publicly documented. There is also no information available regarding batch filter, water temperature, grind size, or the ratios used. Therefore, the available material primarily provides information on espresso and drinks based on it.

Barrevoets stated that it used direct-trade coffee and organic smoothies. The smoothies were said to be made from real fruit without any additives. For other products, the menu listed several regional suppliers. The beef came from Fries Weide via Slagerij Rijpma. The bread was supplied by Bakkerij Tromp.

The catering page also referred to fresh, consciously chosen, and homemade products. Independent certification for these sustainability claims was not mentioned. Furthermore, public data on emission targets, waste policies, reusable cups, and verifiable origin down to the farm level are absent. As a result, the available sustainability information consists primarily of statements from the company and its suppliers.

In addition to regular hospitality services, Barrevoets organized various events. The monthly BarreKwis was created in collaboration with Kook & Kwis. This quiz focused on food and was played by teams of two to five people. A board game evening was also scheduled from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

In 2024, Barrevoets participated in the North Roast Latte Throwdown by DutchBeans. Sixteen baristas took part in this event, including those from Doppio Espresso, STEK, and Wanderlust Coffee. Public workshops, cuppings, tastings, or exhibitions at Barrevoets are not documented.

The business also offered catering and event organization for birthdays, corporate parties, anniversaries, and weddings. As an example, they cited the 90th anniversary of Pol Leeuwarden. Details regarding the scale or execution of this event are not included in the available information.

Barrevoets appeared in various travel and city publications. ACCESS Magazine featured the venue in 2018 for its sandwiches, coffee, and smoothies. Barts Boekje included the location in a 2020 article about a family trip through Friesland. Visit Leeuwarden listed Barrevoets as a hospitality venue and included it in a 48-hour city program.

Fryslân Werkt reported that Barrevoets received a local coffee award in 2019. The same source referred to a high ranking among lunch spots on TripAdvisor. The method and review period used were not explained. The most recent public information now indicates a transition from Barrevoets to Lils at the same address.