Cheap nights out: tips for students in Amsterdam

Go clubbing on student nights

Wednesday is studentenavond, the best night for affordable clubbing in Amsterdam. Popular spots like AIR and Escape offer discounted or free entry, drink specials, and themed events for students. You’ll also find popular recurring nights like Cheeky Monday (drum and bass) or Techno Tuesdays at Melkweg. Be sure to check the age restrictions, as weekend nights at some clubs are 21+ and bring your student ID for discounts. Read our guide to the best clubs in Amsterdam. 

Drink at affordable student pubs

Amsterdam has no shortage of budget-friendly bars. Drinking beer at a local brown pub like Cafe de Zotte, Cafe de Gieter, or Cafe Fest is always your best port of call for rounds that don’t break the bank. Skek, run by students, offers cosy vibes, good food, and a student discount. Coco’s Outback is a fun one near Leidseplein with great early evening happy hour deals (often 4–7 PM) and events like pub quizzes, karaoke and sports. Or head to Poollokaal De Gracht near Roeterseiland for a round of pool. Read our guide to arcade and game halls and the best brown bars in Amsterdam for more ideas. 

Find cosy LGBTQI+ friendly spots

Amsterdam is proudly inclusive, and its LGBTQI+ nightlife has heaps of welcoming, student-friendly spots. Head to Club NYX for multi-floor parties that embrace all genders and identities. Prik and Taboo, located on Reguliersdwarsstraat, offer affordable cocktails, themed nights, and a friendly crowd. Meanwhile, Bar Bario, an inclusive space in Oud-West, blends exhibitions, cultural workshops, talks and cocktails with a focus on queer and BIPOC communities. Read our complete guide to Amsterdam’s LGBTQI+ scene for more. 

Enjoy live music and open mic nights

Tired of clubbing? Explore Amsterdam’s live music scene instead. Major music venues like Melkweg and Paradiso host everything from indie bands to big-name DJs, often with student discounts. For more intimate experiences, try Café de Koe, a cosy bar near Leidseplein that hosts legendary open mic nights. Volta and CREA are also great spots to catch emerging talent or perform yourself. De Engelbewaarder is the place to go for free Sunday jazz sessions. Want a bit of everything? Waterhole offers live bands, cheap drinks, and a pool table for a casual, music-filled night out. Read our guide to alternative music venues in Amsterdam for more. 

Seek out Amsterdam’s quirky cultural spaces

Not every night out has to be a party. Bars like Skek offer cultural programming alongside drinks and food (think poetry nights, acoustic sessions, and pub quizzes). Over in West, De Nieuwe Anita blends vintage bar vibes with live music, cabaret, DJ sets, indie film screenings, and open mic nights. Drinks are student-friendly, and the crowd is creative and diverse. Checkpoint Charlie hosts stand-up nights. And don’t miss Mezrab’s Wednesday and Friday night storytelling events (free to enter) where you can lounge on cosy floor cushions with a bowl of lentil soup to listen to tall tales. Read our guide to comedy and spoken-word in Amsterdam for more. 

Flash your student card at museums

Amsterdam’s world-class museums are surprisingly student-friendly, if you know where to go. Alongside the city's many free museums, you can flash your student card at Wereldmuseum, the National Maritime Museum, NEMO, and Stedelijk for up to 40-50% off entrance tickets. Amsterdam Museum offers up to 60% discount. For lighter entertainment, head to ARTIS Zoo for half-price student entrance or immerse yourself in audiovisual art at NXT Museum for a discount. Read our guide to late-opening art spaces in Amsterdam for more.

Fuel up on late-night snacks and €1 coffee

After a night out, Amsterdam delivers on comfort food. Craving something quick? Grab a hot snack from FEBO’s iconic vending machine walls, or swing by one of the city’s top snack bars or roti shops for affordable, filling bites. Looking for something more substantial? New York Pizza offers a perfect student deal, pizzas for just €5.99. And for something a bit different, check out Skek, where students receive a 25% discount on all food; it's a favourite for good reason. Need a pick-me-up the next morning? Head to Café Hesp for a €1 espresso. Read our guides to cheap eats in Amsterdam for more. 

Kick back with a discounted movie

Movie night on a budget? Many cinemas in Amsterdam offer student discounts. At Pathé cinemas (including Tuschinski and Arena), Monday tickets are just €9. Rialto cinemas (De Pijp and VU) offer €9.50 tickets with your student ID, or just €6.50 if you're a UvA student. At indie spots like Cinema De Vlugt, Kriterion, and Ketelhuis, you'll save several euros per ticket. Whether you're into blockbusters or arthouse films, read our guide to the best cinemas in Amsterdam for more. 

Check out some incredible cultural deals

You don’t need a big budget to enjoy the arts. At Dutch National Opera & Ballet, student tickets start at just €20, with same-day deals for unsold seats. DeLaMar and De Kleine Komedie offer 50% off unsold tickets from noon onwards. At The Royal Concertgebouw, music lovers under 30 can snag same-day tickets for just €11 (Small Hall) or €18 (Main Hall). Want to laugh off the stress of exams? Head to Boom Chicago, where student tickets come with a 30% discount, a perfect way to unwind midweek. Read our guide to free classical concerts in Amsterdam for more music tips. 

Cycle everywhere (and don’t forget your bike lights)!

The ultimate student money-saver? Your bike. Cycling is the cheapest and fastest way to get home after a night out. Just don’t forget your bike lights. Riding without them can get you a €75 fine, and it’s also a safety risk, especially on busy or poorly lit streets. Most students use second-hand bikes or rental services like Swapfiets. Keep your bike locked with two locks; you'll save money (and stress) in the long run. Read our guide to cycling in Amsterdam for more.