Nightlife in Amsterdam
Most of Amsterdam's bars and clubs are in the city centre around the Dam, De Pijp and Leidseplein. Amsterdam has earned an international reputation for its dance scene in spectacular clubs like Panama, while many of the best gay bars and clubs are along Reguliersdwarsstraat. Most clubs don't get going until midnight and stay open until 5am or later. Popular bars include places like the Old Amsterdam In 't Aepjen on Zeedijk and swish modern cocktail bars like VakZuid at the Olympic Stadium. The red light district is touristy, but has some interesting old theatres showing revues and cabaret.
Bars
Expand all1. In 't Aepjen - Traditional Dutch bar
Show moreAn old sailors' tavern near the waterfront, In 't Aepjen is housed in one of Amsterdam's two surviving timber buildings, which date from 1550. The 'ape' of the small bar's name refers to images of monkeys in the tap room.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
1, Zeedijk, Amsterdam 1012 AN
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 626 8401
Transport
Centraal Station
2. bubbles&wines - A taste for Champagne and wine
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This Champagne and wine bar stands on a long lane a few minutes' walk from the Dam. Amid subdued lighting, dark wood surfaces and red tones, bubbles&wines serves an extensive roster of Champagne and wine labels, along with light snacks.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
37, Nes, Amsterdam 1012 KC
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 422 3318
3. Café De Dokter - Tiny antique bar
Show moreFilled with knick-knacks and with an impressive drinks display, the smallest, and one of the oldest, bars in Amsterdam was founded in 1798 by a retired doctor. It is tucked away down a narrow little street close to the Begijnhof.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
4, Rozenboomsteeg, Amsterdam 1012 PR
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 626 4427
4. Cafe Kale de Grote - Cool cocktails and DJs
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A cocktail bar and restaurant in the Pijp district, Cafe Kale de Grote has soft chairs, long banquettes and chandeliers. It draws a hip, youthful crowd to sip mojitos, graze on plates of tempura and dance to DJs on Friday and Saturday nights.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
18-20, Ferdinand Bolstraat, Amsterdam 1072 LJ
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 470 0651
5. Amstel Fifty Four - Perennial gay bar
Show morePerennial favourite Amstel Fifty Four is an Amsterdam institution and one of the longest-standing gay bars in the Rembrandtplein area. It's as Dutch as Edam, the staff and clientele are friendly and fun and there is live entertainment most nights.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
54, Amstel (off Rembrandtplein), Amsterdam 1017 AB
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 623 4254
6. VakZuid - Olympic Stadium cocktail bar
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Located in Amsterdam South, inside the Olympic Stadium used for the 1928 Olympic Games, VakZuid is a chic cocktail bar cum lounge-restaurant-club. The interior design is of that period in an updated form and it has a large canal-side terrace.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
35, Olympisch Stadion, Amsterdam 1076 DE
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 570 8400
7. Café De Jaren - Fashionable classic
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Trendy yet unpretentious, Café de Jaren is a vast city-centre café, bar and restaurant with a multi-coloured mosaic floor and an airy feel. On sunny days, tables on the two outside terraces overlooking the River Amstel are in high demand.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
20-22, Nieuwe Doelenstraat, Amsterdam 1012 CP
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 625 5771
Clubs
Expand all8. Taboo Bar - Central gay club
Show moreOn central Amsterdam's Reguliersdwarsstraat, renowned for its gay nightlife scene, Taboo Bar attracts all persuasions and is especially popular during happy hour. It has two floors, a friendly crowd and DJs spinning the latest high-energy tunes.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
45, Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amsterdam 1017 BK
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 775 3963
9. Jimmy Woo - Exotic Chinese club
Show moreGuest-list entry only at certain times can make Jimmy Woo, a deluxe spot off Leidseplein, hard to get into. The antique-look, Hong Kong-style club attracts a mellow crowd and the slow-starting music gets spikier the later it gets.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
18, Korte Leidsedwarsstraat, Amsterdam 1017 RC
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 626 3150
10. Panama - Hot venue for trendsetters
Show more Dance, experimental theatre and club nights are on the agenda at this sizzling nightclub, café and restaurant. Housed in a converted port installation at the old harbour, Panama regularly welcomes top national and international DJs spinning different kinds of music.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
4, Oostelijke handelskade, Amsterdam 1019 BM
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 311 8686
11. Supperclub - Feast for the senses
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A combination of post-fusion food served by slinky waitresses, DJ music, cabaret-style performances, fashion shows and masseuses makes a visit to the city-centre Supperclub a night out, not just a meal. It's not one for the shy or timid.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
21, Jonge Roelensteeg, Amsterdam 1012 PL
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 344 6400
Entertainment
Expand all12. Concertgebouw - Classical music concerts
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Built in 1888, the world-famous Concertgebouw in central Amsterdam is the city's premier classical music venue. The two auditoria have fabulous acoustics and host concerts by myriad visiting performers as well as the hall's own orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
10, Concertgebouwplein, Amsterdam 1071 KJ
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 671 8345
13. Paleis van de Weemoed - Dinner with nostalgia
Show moreVisitors can experience an evening of nostalgic Amsterdam at Paleis van de Weemoed in the red-light district. This revue theatre has a spectacular Art Deco interior. Its restaurant serves a four-course meal and drinks before and during the show.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
15-17, Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Amsterdam 1012 EH
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 625 6964
14. Melkweg - Multimedia venue
Show moreMelkweg (Milky Way) is an innovative venue for music, dancing, art and performance. Housed in a converted dairy factory close to Leidseplein, it has concert halls, a theatre, cinema, recording studio, gallery, dance studio, restaurant and more.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
234a, Lijnbaansgracht, Amsterdam 1017 PH
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 531 8181
15. Café Peter Beense - Dutch sing-along bar
Show moreUnpretentious Café Peter Beense seems to represent the best of all the cosy, friendly neighbourhood bars in Holland. Schmaltzy songs about stolen kisses behind the windmill are popular. Everyone joins in, led by the larger-than-life host and owner Peter Beense.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
10, Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amsterdam 1017 BH
Telephone
+31 (0) 20 626 7457
