The Best Bars In Amsterdam

From the ‘brown cafes’ that line the city’s canals to the tourist traps on Dam Square, you never have to walk very far to reach a bar in Amsterdam.

The main tourist areas such as the red light district and the nearby Warmoesstraat are filled with bars (and takeaways and tacky souvenir shops). These bars are usually loud and busy, though there are exceptions.

Amsterdam Nightlife

Rembrandtsplein and Leidseplein are the two main areas for Amsterdam nightlife. Here you will find a seemingly endless amount of bars and nightclubs.

Amsterdam Brown Cafes

For a quieter night, drink with locals in the many ‘brown cafes’, named because of the wooden structure and smoke-stained walls. Some of these cafes date back to the 1600s. These places are usually cheaper than the bars in the tourist areas and have a much more ‘gelezig’ vibe. (Gezelig is a Dutch word that does not translate into English but is used to describe a relaxed feeling that you experience).

Amsterdam Cafe Culture

Amsterdam certainly loves its coffee and it does it so well. The city is home to hundreds of cafes serving usually excellent coffee that will pick you up after a heavy night. Note the use of the word ‘cafe’ here. ‘Coffee shops‘ are something completely different in Amsterdam.

Smoking Laws In Amsterdam

You are generally not allowed to smoke tobacco in any establishment in Amsterdam. However, some bars have a designated smoking area where you can smoke. This law also seems set to change. Do not expect table service as no staff are allowed in the smoking areas.

Weed-Friendly Bars In Amsterdam

A few years ago, new laws meant that you were not allowed to consume alcohol and cannabis on the same premises. Gone are the days when you could buy a pint and a bag of weed! However, some bars do allow you to smoke your own on their premises and even advertise this with posters in the bar windows. Look out for these places on Warmoesstraat. The police in Amsterdam don’t really seem bothered unless it causes a real problem.

Best Bars In Amsterdam

The list below contains all of the bars I have visited in Amsterdam (that I can recall). There are some fantastic bars and some not-so-good!

Amsterdam Roest

Amsterdam Roest (map) might be a little out of the centre but it’s definitely worth a visit. I combined my visit here with Brouwerij t’Ij. It’s a converted industrial buiding with a chilled out bar and lots of outdoor seating. It even has a man-made beach. I have also heard the food is good. It is temporarily closed at the time of writing but keep an eye out for its re-opening.

Bar Saloon

Bar Saloon is a welcoming bar that has outdoor seating which overlooks the canal. The staff went out of their way to be friendly here. Lots of bars and restaurants nearby so you can make a good night in this area. Map.

Billiards Cafe Hermes

Billiards Cafe Hermes caught my eye from across the street as it looked so colourful from the outside. Inside was very much the same. Now I know where all the junk sold at Waterlooplein market ends up! I’m not sure where the ‘billiards’ part of the name comes from. There are lots of bar games though and a couple of cute, overfed cats! Map.

Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street is an intimate music venue near Leidseplein showcasing local bands playing Jazz, soul, funk and blues. There’s a door charge at weekends which is a shame as I usually like to go to a place for just one drink so I can experience as many places as possible. I visited here early in the week and it was free. The live music varies in quality. Map.

Brouwerij De Prael

Brouwerij De Prael is a craft beer brewery located near the red light district. It offers a chilled atmosphere which is a welcome exception as most of the bars in this area are quite loud and touristy. Map.

Brouwerij t’Ij

Any decent bar in Amsterdam will sell Brouwerij t’Ij beer. Their ‘Flink’ beer was a favourite of mine. The actual brewery is located next to a windmill and is the perfect setting for an afternoon beer. You can buy taster sets to try each of their beers. Also recommended is the sausage and mustard dish. It’s a truly wonderful place and one I go back to every time. Tours of the brewery are available. Map.

Brouwerij t’Ij Vondel

During many visits to Vondel Park, I never visited this bar. On my last visit, I finally decided to give it a try. I was delighted to see it had been taken over by Brouwerij t’Ij. It was, therefore, a wonderful afternoon beer in a stunning park. Perfect. Map.

Cafe Belgique

Cafe Belgique is one of my favourite bars in Amsterdam. The first time I went in, I was shocked to find a DJ playing behind the small bar. The music he was playing was awesome and all on 7 inch vinyl. He noticed my Super Furry Animals hat and put on a Gruff Rhys song, just for me. The bar is small but people spill out onto the street. They sell great beer too. For such a small bar, they have an excellent choice. I cannot visit Amsterdam without having a couple of sessions in Cafe Belgique. Map.

Cafe Brecht

If retro Berlin bohemian style bars is your thing, then you simply must visit ‘Cafe Brecht’ (map). The inside is furnished like an old German living room. There are a couple of tables outside which is good for watching busy Amsterdam as the tram is right outside the door. Great German beer and snacks make this is one of the best quirky bars in Amsterdam. Map.

Cafe Flamingo

Cafe Flamingo is located just off the Albert Cuypstraat. We were drawn into this bar by its huge Brouwerij t’Ij canopy. It’s on a very busy pedestrian junction so it’s a great place to enjoy a beer and watch the busy streets. Map.

Cafe Gollum

If you are looking for craft beer in Amsterdam, then you simply must visit ‘Cafe Gollum’ (map). They sell hundreds of types of beer, both local and global, mean you’ll never have to have the same beer twice.

Cafe Lust

Cafe Lust is a cool neighbourhood bar in De Pijp. Popular with locals, the food here looked very good though I just nipped in for a beer before heading to another now-closed bar for some live music. One of many great bars in the De Pijp area. Map.

Cafe Sound Garden

Cafe Sound Garden is a canal-side rock bar with occasional live music. There is an indoor smoking area and a nice terrace overlooking the Singlegracht where you can smoke whatever you like. The beer is cheap by Amsterdam prices and there is always a good atmosphere. Map.

Cafe Mulder

Cafe Mulder is a great place to people-watch. They serve some good, strong beers including La Chouffe which proved to be a great afternoon tipple!  Map.

Cafe P96

There are so many bars in the Jordaan area of Amsterdam, a pub crawl can be done within 50 metres! Like all the other bars in the area, ‘Cafe P96’ (map) offers good quality beers and bar food but also has the advantage of a boat terrace on the canal. Perfect on summer evenings.

Cafe Schuim

Cafe Shuim is a friendly bar located on Spuistraat. I sat outside with some locals who were all smoking weed and having fun and one even got up to dance to the music coming from a passing car 🙂 The kind of place you could get stuck in. Map.

Cafe The Minds

The Minds  is a chaotic punk bar that really comes alive in the early hours. It’s cheap, it’s anarchic and it’s also very friendly, despite the anti-tourist stickers. The bar staff are great fun. At some point in the evening, the bell rings and ashtrays appear and it’s smoking time! If you like loud music and loud customers, you will enjoy The Minds. Open until 4 am. Map.

Cafe The Palace

Formerly known as ‘The Doors Palace’, Cafe The Palace is a decent bar on the Spuistraat. They play pretty good music (usually 60s) and there is a pool table upstairs which is also smoker-friendly. Map.

Café ‘t Spui-tje

On my first solo visit to Amsterdam, I left my hostel and it immediately started raining. Luckily, I was on Spuistraat so I wasn’t far from a bar. I headed into ‘Café ‘t Spui-tje’ (map) which turned out to be a great spot for my first drink. I’ve been a few times since. They have a VERY GOOD selection of spirits.

Cafe Welling

Cafe Welling is a lovely, old, neighbourhood bar with occasional live piano and jazz. It’s filled with locals who are happy to nurse a drink whilst reading the local newspapers. Map.

Cave Rock Club

The Cave is a small, underground rock bar with live music at the weekends. It’s a little expensive for a rock bar and I’ve experienced friendlier staff but it is open until 4 am so a good place to go when other bars have closed. Map.

De Biertuin Oost

After a day of walking around East Amsterdam, a mid-afternoon beer was calling. Seeing the Brouwerij t’Ij canopy outside ‘De Biertuin’ (map) made the decision easy. It was a nice surprise to find the vast choice of local beers. De Biertuin have other locations in Amsterdam.

De Brabantse Aap

De Brabanste Aap was always a significant point which we used to help us navigate around the city, before GPS. I never actually went in until my most recent visit. If you sit outside, you might be alarmed by how close the trams are as they pass. I enjoyed a beer here whilst watching street dancers. Map.

De Twee Zwaantjes

De Twee Zwaantjes is a wonderful brown cafe-bar in the Jordaan area. Here you will find friendly staff, good beer and occasional rousing singalongs. There is a great atmosphere in this quaint bar. Map.

Filmtheater De Uitkijk

Filmtheater De Uitkijk is a 1920s art cinema showing some interesting movies. I’ve never actually been in the cinema but I did enjoy a beer in the entrance bar where you can sit and people-watch on the Prinsengracht. Map.

Hannekes Boom

It’s an interesting walk to reach Hannekes Boom but it’s worth it. Hannekes Boom is a shack style bar-cafe that is filled with battered furniture. It offers great views over the Ij. I only discovered this place on my last visit but I will definitely return. Map.

Hill Street Booze

It used to be a coffee shop but Hill Street Booze is now a dive bar where you can smoke your own weed. The whole place is covered in graffiti and they play good music. If you can get the window that opens to the canal, that is the place to sit! Map.

In De Buurt

I’d walked past In De Buurt many times, sniggering at the name, before I finally called in for a beer. It was mid-afternoon so it was quiet. The barman was super friendly and chatty and when I told him it was my birthday, I got a free shot. In Amsterdam, that would have been about 7 Euros! Map.

In De Wilderman

In De Wilderman is a beer-lover’s dream! Serving over 250 beers, including many on tap, the staff here were very friendly and gave us advice on our choice. It was nice to see a beer from my home town of Sheffield in the UK in here. I was not expecting that! Map.

Jazz Cafe Alto

I have walked up and down the busy Korte Leidsedwarsstraat many times on many trips to Amsterdam. I even stayed on the street three times without noticing Cafe Jazz Alto (map). It’s not easy to spot as the entrance is small and the bar is narrow but long. There is, however, a huge saxophone above the entrance which helps.

Inside is a bohemian-style jazz bar with nightly performances. The quality of musicians that play here is high. I have never seen any act that wasn’t fantastic. I’ve never paid to get in but I do believe there is a door charge at the weekend. The venue closed recently for around a year but it is now open after overcoming its troubles.

Kapitein Zeppos

Kapitein Zeppos is a Mediterranean restaurant-bar that has an upstairs live music space. I’m not sure how often they host live music but I enjoyed a beer here as the staff were friendly and the music was good. The menu looked interesting and the food is highly rated. Map.

Leidseplein

Leidseplein is a popular square with many bars and restaurants. In the summer, you can sit at the tables in the square, meaning it doesn’t really matter which bar you go to though you can only sit at the tables designated for that bar. Choose your table first as most bars offer the same drinks at roughly the same prices. You will see lots of street entertainers here. As always with tourist spots, take care of your possessions. Map.

Lokaal De Pijp

I had been to Amsterdam many times before I even explored the De Pijp area. It is now one of my favourite districts in Amsterdam. ‘Lokaal De Pijp’ (map) is one of many bars in the area that serves great beer in a friendly atmosphere.

Maloe Melo

I visited Maloe Melo a couple of years ago and there was an acoustic performer playing in the bar. It was a cool place and the bar staff were friendly. I liked how all the music seemed to be played on tape cassettes. What I didn’t realise is that the main live music area is through an entrance at the back of the bar. Live music 5 nights a week with a 5 Euro door charge. Map.

OT301

OT301 is a cultural centre that used to be a former squat. Events, galleries, workshops, hairdressers and even table tennis tournaments make this one of the most interesting events spaces in Amsterdam. There is also a good bar and a vegan restaurant. Check http://www.ot301.nl for more information. Map.

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

Copper pipes and wooden walls create a cozy atmosphere in this craft beer bar that serves over 100 Dutch beers. Though it isn’t located on a busy canal, it does get very busy. Map.

Schaakcafe Jet Hok Cafe

I’ve walked past Schaakcafe Jet Hok Cafe many times but it always seemed quiet and more of a restaurant than a bar. One particular evening, it looked much livelier so I stopped in for a beer. I am always happy to see Brouwerij t’Ij on the menu and the live acoustic music meant there was a great atmosphere. Unfortunately, I think I was short-changed in here by 10 Euros. I might be totally wrong about this so don’t let it put you off but just bear it in mind. Map.

St Christopher’s Inn

St Christopher’s Inn is a popular hostel located on the busy Warmoesstraat. It has a very busy bar and nightclub in the entrance. It’s a great place to meet fellow travellers and it is reasonably priced. DJs play most nights and there is also a smoking area where you can smoke whatever you like. Map.

Stones Cafe

Stones Cafe is a large bar that can be accessed via Warmoestraat or the rear entrance which is behind De Oude Kerk in the red light district. The outdoor seating is a great place to people watch, especially in the evening, as the red lights of the area are literally metres away. Map.

Stones Cafe Bar & Nightclub

Stones Cafe Bar is a popular bar on Warmoesstraat that serve English breakfasts, pancakes and more for those hungover mornings. The beer is cheap but the choice isn’t great. It is one of a number of weed-friendly bars in the area. Grab a window seat to enjoy watching the craziness of Amsterdam tourist area by night. Map.

T’Smalle

T’Smalle is one of many traditional bars in this part of the Jordaan area serving hearty food and Belgian beers. Though there isn’t much difference between one brown cafe and another, they are great places to enjoy good quality beer. Map.

Vrankrijk

Vrankrijk is probably the most alternative venue left in Amsterdam. Vegan, queer, punk squatters organise nightly events here. Entrance is by donation and the beer is the cheapest you’ll see in Amsterdam. Some of the artwork is anti-tourist which made me wonder how welcome I’d be but it turned out I was very welcome. No credit cards and no photos. Map.

Waterhole

The Waterhole is a live music venue in Leidseplein with a wide range of musical styles. I’ve seen some good bands here and I’ve also seen some pretty bad ones. There’s a 2 Euro door charge but the beer is cheaper than other places in the area. There is a smoking area where you can smoke whatever you like. Map.

Waterkant

Waterkant is a fantastic canal-side bar, located on the Singelgracht, serving excellent local craft beers and Surinamese food. It’s a great place to hang out, particularly in summer. As it is not in a big tourist area, it is mainly frequented by locals and this contributes to a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Map.

Things To Do In Amsterdam | Coffee Shops In Amsterdam

Places To Eat In Amsterdam | Where To Stay In Amsterdam