Cafés & Clubs
Amsterdam's cafés, lounge bars and nightclubs are as varied as the city's residents. Enjoy a pint of beer with two fingers of foam in a traditional Dutch pub, known as a ‘brown café’ or party until dawn with DJ Tiësto on the decks.
Brown café or bar
For a taste of authentic Amsterdam flavour and Dutch culture, don't miss a visit to an authentic Dutch ‘brown café’ and learn what the Dutch mean by gezelligheid - a notoriously hard to translate word meaing both festive and cosy. Labelled “brown” café’s because of their traditional wooden interiors, you’ll see locals ducking in for an honest drink and a friendly ear. Some of the nicest brown cafés can be found around Zeedijk close to Central Station, in the Jordaan district and along Utrechtsestraat. Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein areas are often popular with 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. These typically specialised in serving traditional Dutch liquors such as ‘jenever’ (the forerunner of gin). Some bars are still called 'proeflokalen' in Amsterdam, although nowadays their samples are seldom free of charge.
Lounge and DJ bars
Over the last ten years, there has been a rise in the number of design cafés and lounge bars on Amsterdam’s nightlife scene. 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
Laid-back, high brow and pumping in turns, Amsterdam never sleeps. 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... »
De Bakkerswinkel
Bread baked the traditional way, delectable sweets and a relaxed atmosphere – this, in short, is De Bakkerswinkel. There you can enjoy a wonderful high tea as well as good.. 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... »
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