Cafés & Clubs
Amsterdam's cafés, lounge bars and nightclubs are as diverse as the city's residents. Enjoy a pint of beer with two fingers of foam in a traditional ‘brown bar’ or party until dawn to DJ Tiësto.
Brown café or bar
If you’re curious what that favourite Dutch word ‘gezelligheid’ (cosy) really means, a visit to an authentic Dutch pub known as the ‘brown café’ is a must. The reason these charming café-style pubs are brown is pretty simple: nicotine. The interior is a bit faded, and the décor includes wooden tables with carpets (on them!), historic showpieces and a friendly barmaid who has been there since it opened. Some of the nicest brown cafés can be found around the Zeedijk close to Central Station, in the Jordaan district and the along the Utrechtsestraat. The Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein areas are also popular, especially among tourists.
Proeflokalen (tasting houses)
Taverns known as ‘proeflokalen’ (tasting houses) were very popular during the 17th century. Customers could sample alcoholic beverages before purchasing one or more bottles. The tasting houses typically specialise in old Dutch liquors such as ‘jenever’. There are still 'proeflokalen' in Amsterdam, though nowadays these samples are seldom free of charge.
Lounge and DJ bars
Over the last ten years, an emergence of design cafés and lounge bars has made their mark on Amsterdam’s nightlife. Smaller versions of nightclubs in a way; with the latest DJs, trendy crowds and the best cocktails. Most lounge bars stay open until 01:00; some until 04:00.
Nightlife
Amsterdam’s nightlife is as varied as the city’s residents themselves. The city offers everything from night theatre, art parties and live music from well-known and up-and-coming international bands, to packed clubs with the best DJs spinning everything from R&B and house to hard rock and hip-hop. You’ll have plenty of time to take it all in, as most nightclubs stay open until 04:00, with some extended to 05:00 or 06:00 on weekends.
Amstel Bar & Brasserie
The Amstel Bar & Brasserie is an informal place for lunch, dinner or a late night snack after a visit to the theatre. It is also a great place for cocktails. Due to the large.. Read more... »De Stijl
In Design Hotel Artemis, café-restaurant ‘De Stijl’ has a great terrace overlooking the pond. Inspiration for this location was the homonymous artist movement De Stijl (Piet.. Read more... »Löfel & Burke
The ultimate laidback bar:Löfel & Burke. With its high ceilings and an entresol where dinner is served, an cosy interior and jazzy tunes, this is a great bar that feels like.. Read more... »Stout!
Stout! in de Haarlemmerstraat is a place where you can easily spend an entire evening. Drink great wine on the terrace, eat snacks, great dinners in the restaurant and then back.. Read more... »
Bar Americain
The bar of the stunning art deco American Hotel on the Leidseplein is not quite so chic as most hotel bars, in fact it’s a bit naf. Nevertheless, sometimes world celebrities turn.. Read more... »
Bar Barbou
Is there really anything better than going out for a drink in a stylish hotel bar? Bar Barbou, in the five star hotel The Dylan, fulfils all expectations. The public spaces in.. Read more... »
Barney’s Uptown
Barney´s Uptown in the Haarlemmerstraat is something completely different than its namesake on the other side of the street. The latter Barney´s offers, for the most part,.. Read more... »
Bloem
In a beautiful spot near the Artis zoo is café Bloem. This former warehouse has a modern interior with design lamps and 70s chairs. Enjoy tasty Mediterranean dishes, but it all.. Read more... »
Brix
Brix Food ’N Drinx in the Wolvenstraat has a contemporary design decor. The brick (brix!) walls have been stripped down, the furniture is modern and at the back are suede settees.. Read more... »
Bubbles & Wines
Amsterdam has its fair share of bars and pubs but there are just a chosen few where you can get a decent glass of wine. Long live the wine bar! Bubbles & Wines is a neat, dark,.. Read more... »
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