The Rumah Rotterdam: Opening Party

Opening nights have a particular electricity. Everything is new, everything is deliberate, and the people behind the place are watching to see whether the thing they've been building in their heads actually works in the real world. The Rumah's opening party was exactly this — charged, exciting, and very clear from about the first hour that this bar was going to matter.

The Rumah arrived in Rotterdam's bar scene with a clear identity: serious about cocktails, serious about hospitality, and serious about building a space where the drinks and the company both deserved attention. From the interior design to the menu, nothing felt accidental. Opening parties are a statement — they tell the city what a venue is about before the day-to-day rhythm of running the place takes over. The Rumah's statement was confident and warm, which has turned out to be exactly how the bar has continued to operate.

An opening party is one of the best events to photograph. The energy is high, the lighting is usually doing something interesting, and everyone from the owners to the guests is feeling something real. I photograph events like this in a documentary style — I follow the action, I look for the genuine moments, and I try to capture the atmosphere of the room as much as the people in it.

I'm Rachel Ross, a Rotterdam-based HORECA and lifestyle photographer. I've documented the city's food and drink scene since 2018 — openings, events, collaborations, and the everyday craft that makes it worth following. If you're opening a bar, restaurant, or venue in Rotterdam or the Netherlands, let's talk about coverage.