Tram #1, 2, or 5 to Koningsplein. Cross a canal, walk up Heiligeweg, and turn left onto Handboogstraat. Cover M-W €2; Th-Sa €5. Beer from €2. Open M-Th 11pm-4am, F-Sa 11pm-5am.
CLUB NL
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 169
CLUB
020 62 275 10 www.clubnl.nl
This is a swanky lounge club with surprisingly low cover charges. Patrons are slinkily dressed, and you’d be advised to spruce up a bit before trying to get in, especially later on a weekend night. The carefully crafted cocktail menu is just as image-conscious as the club itself, with delicious results.
Tram #1, 2, 5, or 14 to Dam/Paleisstraat. Just south of the stop on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. Cover F-Sa €5. Beer from €2.50. Cocktails from €8. Open M-Th 10pm-3am, F-Sa 10pm-4am, Su 10pm-3am.
GOLLEM
Raamsteeg 4
BAR
020 67 671 17 www.cafegollem.nl
This is not a bar for the indecisive. Beer aficionados from all across the city (and the world) flock to Gollem’s slightly Gothic interior for the brews: this was one of the first cafes in Amsterdam to serve specialty Belgian beers way back in the ’70s, and now the bar sells over 200 different kinds, with eight on tap. They even have the famed Westvleteren, made by reclusive monks in incredibly small batches to prevent it from becoming commercialized.
Tram #1, 2, or 5 to Spui/Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. Walk up Spui and make a left onto Raamsteeg. Beer from €2.50. Open M-F 4pm-1am, Sa-Su 2pm-2am.
Canal Ring West and Scheepvaartbuurt
This area doesn’t go wild after sunset, although there are plenty of bars in which to grab a cheap beer and make friends with some locals.
DULAC
Haarlemmerstraat 118
BAR
020 62 442 65 www.restaurantdulac.nl
This bar is a popular place with local and foreign-exchange students. (There’s a 50% student discount on the food served by the restaurant within.) The interior presents a fantastical mix of vintage designs, crazy sculptures, and found objects, including a pair of antlers and an antique saxophone. A garden terrace is in the back, and a pool table is inside.
From Centraal Station, make a right, cross the Singel, and walk down Haarlemmerstraat. Beer from €2.50. Entrees €10-18. Open M-Tu 4pm-1am, W-Th 1pm-1am, F-Sa 1pm-3am, Su 1pm-1am.
DE PRINS
Prinsengracht 124
BAR
020 62 493 82 www.deprins.nl
One of the few unassuming bar-and-cafes in town, De Prins serves a variety of beers on tap (five, to be precise). Enjoy your brew in the wooden interior that inexplicably has pictures of the Queen facing portraits of Al Pacino and Humphrey Bogart or at the canalside seating outside. Music ranges from country blues to indie rock at this favorite haunt of young locals.
Tram #13, 14, or 17 to Westermarkt. 2 blocks up Prinsengracht, on the far side. Beer €2.10-3. 40. Liquor €3.50-5. Open M-Th 10am-1am, F-Sa 10am-2am.
THIRSTY DOGG
Oude Leliestraat 9
BAR
Small bar in the Nine Streets that shares the neighborhood’s urban, alternative charm. Excellent selection of liquor, including a half-dozen types of absinthe. Some travelers consider Thirsty Dogg a marijuana-friendly environment.
Tram #13, 14, or 17 to Westermarkt. Walk down Raadhuisstraat, make a left onto Herengracht, and then a right onto Oude Leliestraat. Beer €2.50. Wine €3. Absinthe €4. Open M-Th 4pm-1am, F 4pm-3am, Sa noon-3am, Su noon-1am.
Central Canal Ring and Rembrandtplein
Rembrandtplein is its nightlife. Yeah, there’s a pretty sweet statue of Rembrandt in the middle of this square, but if you were interested in the man himself, then you would be at one of Amsterdam’s many fine museums—none of which can be found here. This is home to the art of looking good and getting down, not the art of the Dutch Renaissance. The square itself is lined with massive bars and clubs, while the streets that fan out from it are home to smaller establishments. Reguliersdwarstraat, particularly once you cross Vijzelstraat, is well known as “the gayest street in Amsterdam,” lined with a diverse array of gay bars and clubs, though many more are to be found on other neighboring streets as well. Rembrandtplein is conveniently serviced by night buses #355, 357, 359, 361, and 363; taxis also loiter around the main square at all hours. Outside of that mecca, Spiegelgracht and Utrechtsestraat house most of the neighborhood’s other bars.
ESCAPE
Rembrandtplein 11
CLUB
020 62 211 11 www.escape.nl
This is Amsterdam’s biggest club, with a capacity for thousands. Although it may no longer be considered the hottest spot in town, it still reliably draws large crowds and excellent DJs. The main dance floor is a glam space with a massive stage (VIP area behind the DJ) and platforms strewn throughout for those brave enough to take the dancing spotlight. A lounge, another dance space, and a balcony from which to observe the bacchanalia below can all be found upstairs. The crowd is a mix of large groups of tourists and chic young Dutch. On weekends lines can grow long after 1am, and some suggest that upping your style will increase your chances of getting in.
Tram #9 or 14 to Rembrandtplein. Cover €5-10, students €6 on most Th. Beer from €2.60. Spirits €3.80-5.80. Open Th 11pm-4am, F-Sa 11pm-5am, Su 11pm-4am.
STUDIO 80
Rembrandtplein 17
CLUB
www.studio-80.nl
A grungier alternative to the more polished clubs around Rembrandtplein, Studio 80 is extremely popular with the young student crowd. The emphasis is on dancing and music at this club, where you’ll be rocking out on plywood planked floors. Sound varies from minimal electro to deep house to hip hop. Be prepared for a thorough pat down by bouncers at the door.
Tram #9 or 14 to Rembrandtplein. The entrance is next to Escape (see above), under the large balcony. Cover depends on the night, usually €6-10. Beer €2.50. Open W-Th 11pm-4am, F-Sa 11pm-5am, Su 11pm-4am.
LELLEBEL
Utrechtstraat 4
BAR
020 42 751 39 www.lellebel.nl
A terrifically fun and welcoming bar presided over by outrageous drag queens. With decor that’s as campy as the costumes, Lellebel is all the more ready to help you make friends with your fellow drinkers. While it attracts a primarily gay male crowd, absolutely all genders and sexualities will feel comfortable here, as the ladies behind the bar are eager to assert. It plays host to a variety of theme nights—karaoke, Transgender Cafe, and Salsa Night, to name a few—and events such as the frequent Miss Lellebel contests and a Eurovision party.
Tram #9 or 14 to Rembrandtplein. Just off the southeast corner of the square. Karaoke on Tu. Transgender Cafe on W. Red Hot Salsa Night on Th. Beer €2.50. Open M-Th 8pm-3am, F-Sa 8pm-4am, Su 8pm-3am.
MONTMARTRE
Halvemaansteeg 17
BAR
020 62 076 22 www.cafemontmartre.nl
A sinfully luxurious Garden of Eden inspired interior provides the backdrop for this popular spot, regularly voted the best gay bar in Amsterdam. The crowd is dominated by gay men, but all are welcome. As the night wears on, the dancing heats up to Euro and American pop and bouncy disco.
Tram #9 or 14 to Rembrandtplein. Off of the northwest corner of the square. Beer from €2.50. Liquor from €3.50. Open M-Th 5pm-1am, F-Sa 5pm-3am, Su 5pm-1am.
ARC
Reguliersdwarsstraat 44
BAR
020 68 970 70 www.bararc.eu
Dim, red lighting and leather couches complement one of the hipper bars in the area. The crowd is trendy, and the music goes from nouveau disco to R and B, getting you ready for a night spent dancing nearby. Arc’s real draw is its exquisite and inventive cocktail menu; Wednesday and Sunday are cocktail nights when selected libations are only €6. Arc also serves a varied menu of tapas and other European dishes.
Tram #9 or 14 to Rembrandtplein. On the stretch of Reguliersdwarsstraat that is across Vijzelstraat :from the main square. Beer from €2.50. Cocktails €8-10. Open M-
Th 4pm-1am, F-Sa 4pm-3am, Su 4pm-1am. Kitchen closes at 11pm.
DE DUIVEL
Reguliersdwarsstraat 87
BAR
020 62 661 84 www.deduivel.nl
Amsterdam’s premier hip-hop joint, visited by top names from Cypress Hill to Ghostface. Even without famous guests, De Duivel remains a nighttime favorite, with DJs who spin a terrific mix drawing a diverse crowd of patrons.
Tram #9 or 14 to Rembrandtplein. Beer €2.50. Open M-Th 10pm-3am, F-Sa 10pm-4am, Su 10pm-3am.
VIVE LA VIE
Amstelstraat 7
BAR
020 62 401 14 www.vivelavie.net
This long-established lesbian bar draws a diverse crowd of women and a few of their male friends thanks to its unpretentious atmosphere focused on having a fun time. Excellent drink selection includes the Clit on Fire shot (€4), whose ingredients are a closely guarded secret.
Tram #9 or 14 to Rembrandtplein. Beer from €2.50. Spirits from €4. Open M-Th 3pm-3am, F-Sa 3pm-4am, Su 3pm-3am.
West Of Town
Nightlife in the Jordaan is much more relaxed than in Leidseplein or the Nieuwe Zijd, but that doesn’t mean it’s not popular or busy. Establishments tend more toward cafe-bars or local pubs than clubs, though some excellent music can be found in the neighborhood’s southern stretches. If you’re looking to seriously mingle with the locals, try one of the places along Lijnbaansgracht and Noordermarkt that really get going on weekends. Further west can get a little dead at times, although it there are some up-and-coming spots to be found.
FESTINA LENTE
Looiersgracht 40b
BAR
020 63 814 12 www.cafefestinalente.nl
Looking something like what you would get if you stuck a bar in the middle of an elegant vintage living room, this spot is enduringly popular with fun and cultured young Amsterdammers. Bookshelves line the walls, and games of chess and checkers are readily available for use—just try to find a free spot to play.
Tram #7, 10, or 17 to Elandsgracht. Go straight on Elandsgracht and make a right onto Hazenstraat; the bar is 2 blocks down on the corner. Beer from €2. Wine from €3.30 per glass. Open M noon-1am, Tu-Th 10:30am-1am, F-Sa 10:30am-3am, Su noon-1am.
‘T SMALLE
Egelantiersgracht 12
CAFE
020 62 396 17
One of the most revered and popular bruin cafes in the city, ‘t Smalle was founded in 1780 as a spot to taste the products of a nearby jenever distillery. Today, the interior is appropriately old-fashioned and classic, but the real place to be is outside at one of the many tables lining Egelantiersgracht, for our money one of the prettiest canals in Amsterdam. Be warned, though: on nice days, you may have to get here very early or very late to claim a chair. An alternative location—in Nagasaki, Japan ( Head east about 9200km. The bar is on your right.)—features a replica of the cafe that stands in the model “Holland Village.”
Tram #13, 14, or 17 to Westermarkt. Cross Prinsengracht, make a right, and walk a few blocks. Beer from €2. Open M-Th 10am-1am, F-Sa 10am-2am, Su 10am-1am.
OT301
Overtoom 301
CLUB
www.ot301.nl
This establishment plays home to everything even remotely entertaining—a temporary handicrafts store, a cinema, live music, yoga and acrobatic classes, a vegan restaurant, and excellent DJ parties on most weekend nights make some strange bedfellows. The building was a squat inhabited by artists in the late ’90s who brought in art and music, causing the city to consider it a cultural breeding ground. Check the website for upcoming events; the parties have music that ranges from electro house to soul and funk. The crowds who come to dance are as diverse and laid-back as one would expect from the surroundings.
Tram #1 to J. Pieter Heijestraat. Cover €3-5 most nights. Hours vary depending on programming; check website for details.
CAFE CHRIS
Bloemstraat 42
BAR
020 62 459 42 www.cafechris.nl
Workers building the tower of the nearby Westerkerk used to stop here to pick up (and then probably spend) their paychecks—the bar first opened its doors in 1624, making it the oldest in the Jordaan. Today, it is just as popular with the local after-work crowd as it was with the construction dudes, and the antique interior of deep wood and stained glass keeps history at the forefront.
Tram #13, 14, or 17 to Westermarkt. Cross Prinsengracht, make a right, and walk 1 block. Beer €3-5. Open M-Th 3pm-1am, F-Sa 3pm-2am, Su 3-9pm.
SAAREIN
Elandsstraat 119
BAR
020 62 349 01 www.saarein.info
A bruin cafe very much in the tradition of the Jordaan but with a GLBT focus, Saarein attracts mainly older lesbians, though all genders and orientations are heartily welcome. Hosts a variety of events, from a pool competition every Tuesday to discussion groups about issues of gender and sexuality.
Tram #7, 10, or 17 to Elandsgracht. Make a left onto Lijnbaansgracht and walk 2 blocks. Beer from €2. Open Tu-Th 4pm-1am, F 4pm-2am, Sa noon-2am, Su noon-1am.
Museumplein and Leidseplein
“Leidseplein” translates to “more diverse nightlife per square foot than anywhere else in the city” (don’t listen to anyone who feeds you a story about how it means something to do with a road to the city of Leiden). Some native Amsterdammers scoff at this area, considering it a sea of drunken British and American tourists, but the bars that cater to the liquored-up crowd are primarily confined to the Korte and Lange Leidsedwarsstraats. The rest of the area, a bit to the south, plays host to some very hip and friendly bars as well as a few terrific nightclubs. Scattered within the whole of the neighborhood are several bastions of incredible live music (including the aforementioned nightclubs). Unless you are going to a big-name event at Paradiso or Melkweg, prices in the neighborhood are extremely reasonable. Many establishments are just as full of locals, young and old, as they are with tourists. And if you want to be one of the revelers that gives the Leidseplein its bad name, check out the Leidseplein Pub Crawl (promoters lurk in the main square all day long). There’s little reason to head much further south, though, museums don’t stay open after 6pm and neither does much else around Museumplein post-dinner.
PARADISO
Weteringschans 6-8
CLUB, CONCERT VENUE
020 62 645 21 www.paradiso.nl
Paradiso hosts an infinity of live music performances (generally less well-known artists than nearby Melkweg, though it has played host to some big names like Wu-Tang Clan and Lady Gaga) every day and club nights five nights a week—including Noodlanding! (“emergency landing”), a party with “alternative dance hits” on Thursdays.
Tram #1, 2, 5, 6, 7, or 10 to Leidseplein. Take a left onto Weteringschans. Prices vary by event; tickets are usually €5-20 plus a €3 monthly membership fee. Hours vary by event.
MELKWEG
Lijnbaansgracht 234A
CLUB, CONCERT VENUE
020 53 181 81 www.melkweg.nl
The name translates to “milky way”—a pun on the fact that this cultural center is housed in an old milk factory. One of Amsterdam’s legendary night spots and concert venues, Melkweg hosts rock, punk, pop, indie, reggae, electronic...basically, any type of music that exists in the big Milky Way has probably been played in this little one. After the concerts on Friday and Saturday, there are club nights with techno, house, and alternative music.
Tram #1, 2, 5, 6, 7, or 10 to Leidseplein. Turn down the small street to the left of the Stadsschouwburg theater. Tickets generally €10-30 plus €3.50 monthly membership fee. Concerts usually start around 8 or 9pm, with clubbing getting going around 11pm or midnight.
SUGAR FACTORY
Lijnbaansgracht 238
CLUB
020 62 650 06 www.sugarfactory.nl
Billing itself as a nachttheater, Sugar Factory is, at its core, just a very cool place to dance. Live music and DJs are often accompanied by mind-bending video displays, dancers, and othe
r performers. Music tends toward house, electro, and “club jazz.” The sizeable dance floor fills with a mix of young Dutch hipsters,
from the road
Everyone knows that the Dutch have a thing for bicycles. I have seen people do everything while riding their two-wheelers around town—they eat, talk on cell phones, smoke cigarettes, and apply makeup. Bikes really are an excellent way to get around the city, but because Amsterdam is also so easily traversed on foot, I never got around to renting one. Part of me felt, though, that in not pedaling around the city, I was missing out on an important aspect of local culture.
Let's Go Europe 2011: The Student Travel Guide Page 171