Amsterdam Entertainment

  1. 'T Arendsnest

    This gorgeous, re-styled brown cafe, with its glowing, copper genever boilers behind the bar, is proud to specialise in Dutch beer served by friendly and helpful staff. Make sure that you try the herby, powerful Jopen Koyt, brewed from a 1407 recipe.

    Read more about 'T Arendsnest

  2. 18 Twintig

    This bar facing Marie Heinekenplein is all pastels, mints and tiny Buddhas to make anyone look glam, not that the good-looking 20- and 30-somethings need enhancement. There's a contemporary, diverse food menu (mains around €17 .50 to Euro21.50).

    Read more about 18 Twintig

  3. Abraxas

    Hands down the most beautiful coffeeshop in town. Choose from southwest USA, Middle Eastern and other styles of décor spread over three floors. There are live DJs, extra-friendly staff and free internet usage with a drink purchase.

    Read more about Abraxas

  4. Akhnation

    A young, multicultural crowd jams this club which has been going strong for more than 50 years. So to catch live hip-hop, Latin and Afrocentric acts be sure to drop into this Dutch dance institution. It also hosts raves and Ibiza-style dance parties.

    Read more about Akhnation

  5. Amstel Bar & Brasserie

    So you need to entertain a client. She's very high powered and you can't leave things to chance. The bar at the Amstel Intercontinental Hotel is dignified and appropriately clubby, and its river-view location is the power spot in town. We expect you'll get that contract you wanted and may even rub elbows with famous financiers for your next deal.

    Read more about Amstel Bar & Brasserie

  7. Amstel Haven

    Bike or boat up to where the Amstel meets the Singelgracht, snag a canalside table under an umbrella, and have yourself a swell view of the water and skyscrapers. Daytimes, munch on uitsmijters, sandwiches and mains, and on weekend nights, the dining room becomes a dance floor with DJs or live music.

    Read more about Amstel Haven

  8. Amstel Taverne

    This historic brown café with Delft-blue tiles draws a 40s-and-up crowd that, in the right temperatures, spills onto the street to mix with passers-by. Definitely has that trademark 'only in Amsterdam' vibe.

    Read more about Amstel Taverne

  9. Amsterdams Marionetten Theater

    In a former blacksmith's shop near Nieuwmarkt, the marionette theatre has a limited repertoire (mainly Mozart operas such as The Magic Flute ), but kids and adults alike are enthralled with the fairy-tale stage sets, period costumes and beautiful singing voices that bring the diminutive cast to life. From June to August the theatre only performs for groups; at other times, check the website for a schedule.

    Read more about Amsterdams Marionetten Theater

  10. Amsterdamse Bos Theatre

    This large open-air amphitheatre stages plays in Dutch (Shakespeare, Brecht, Chekhov) in summer. We love it when the actors pause as planes pass overhead.

    Read more about Amsterdamse Bos Theatre

  11. April

    April is equally famous for its happy hour, a relaxed atmosphere (even when it's packed) and beautiful guys who cram into the space to flirt and drink. The revolving bar can make you giddy after too many cocktails.

    Read more about April

  12. Advertisement

  13. Arc

    The cool minimalist interior is sooo right for beautiful media types (mostly gay, but also lesbian and straight). Fancy martinis are the drink du jour , and the kitchen serves up zesty fusion cuisine.

    Read more about Arc

  14. Argos

    Amsterdam's oldest leather bar still hosts leather boys of all ages in its famous darkrooms and cabins, fully equipped with the requisite kinky toys. The regular 'SOS' (Sex On Sunday) party is always guaranteed to be something wild (though safe) - the dress code is (not surprisingly) nude or semi-nude.

    Read more about Argos

  15. B Van B Café

    The café in the Beurs van Berlage, one of the city's most spectacular buildings, boasts original brick and tilework, and murals by Jan Toorop (1903) representing past, present and future. Food includes lasagne, croquettes, steaks and the usual assortment of sandwiches and salads. Unless the main building happens to be open to the public (eg concerts), this is your only sure way to get inside.

    Read more about B Van B Café

  16. Baba

    Not the cheapest weed in town, but word has it Mike Tyson once took a puff and immediately got walloped. Pick up a bag of Silver Haze, plant yourself at the front window and watch the colourful types all run together along Warmoesstraat. The hash brownies have mother's special touch.

    Read more about Baba

  17. Bar Bep

    With its olive-green vinyl couches and ruby-red walls, Bep resembles a kitsch, 1950s Eastern European cabaret lounge. It gets groovy with filmmakers, photographers and artists. The heat is off since its heyday, and we prefer it.

    Read more about Bar Bep

  19. Bar Ça

    One of the hottest cafés in town, this club themed like a 'Barcelona in Amsterdam' has brought real life to Marie Heinekenplein. Hang in the posh plush-red and darkwood interior, or spread out onto the terrace.

    Read more about Bar Ça

  20. Bethaniënklooster

    This former monastery near Nieuwmarkt has a glorious ballroom, the perfect place to take in some Stravinsky or Indian sitar.

    Read more about Bethaniënklooster

  21. Bimhuis

    The Bimhuis is the beating jazz heart of the Netherlands, and its stylish new digs at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ draws international jazz greats like Branford Marsalis.

    Read more about Bimhuis

  22. Bitterzoet

    Always full, always changing. This is the freshest, friendliest and best-regarded among the newer venues - with different nights including pulse, roots, drum'n'bass, Latin, Afro-beat, Old School jazz or hip-hop grooves, there's always something to induce you to shake your booty.

    Read more about Bitterzoet

  23. Blincker

    The high ceiling, cosy mezzanine and mellow atmosphere make Blincker a popular theatre café. At the rear of the Frascati Theatre, it gets crammed with a young student crowd having a pre-theatre meal or post-theatre drinks.

    Read more about Blincker

  24. Advertisement

  25. Boom Chicago

    This is Amsterdam's leading show for English-language improv comedy, best enjoyed over dinner and a few drinks. Fortunately, the food is decent, as is the cafe, boomBar, with DJs spinning a few nights a week and a quiz night on Mondays.

    Read more about Boom Chicago

  26. Bourbon Street Jazz & Blues Club

    Catch blues, funk, soul, and rock'n'roll performances in this intimate venue filled with local and international performers (and visited over the years by the likes of Sting and the legendary, departed Dutch musician Herman Brood. There are weekly jam sessions and unplugged nights too. Ages 23 and up.

    Read more about Bourbon Street Jazz & Blues Club

  27. Brasil Music Bar

    Get jiggy at the popular little club called Brasil. There's live Brazilian and Caribbean music on show three nights a week, and R&B and Brazilian DJs to fill out your calendar. The club, just like the dancing, is the epitome of the phrase 'hot and steamy'. Just try to keep your feet (and hips) still when you're there.

    Read more about Brasil Music Bar

  28. Brix

    The mod lounge setting at this new spot makes it a great place to chill over a beer or enjoy small plates like herring and salmon carpaccio, and chicken lemongrass sticks with banana chutney. There's live jazz Sunday and Monday nights from about .

    Read more about Brix

  29. Brouwerij 'T Ij

    The tasting room of Amsterdam's leading microbrewery has a cosy, down-and-dirty beer-hall feel (walls lined with bottles from around the world and dried hops) and the house brew is on tap. In nice weather you can enjoy your beer on the terrace at the foot of the De Gooyer Windmill . Where better to sample a Columbus (9%), a zatte ('drunk') or a sweet, orange-coloured struis (ostrich)?

    Read more about Brouwerij 'T Ij