Western Canal Ring
Popular among locals, Siberië has offerings beyond marijuana – its owners regularly schedule cultural events such as art exhibits, poetry slams, acoustic…
Must-see nightlife in Amsterdam
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
This former distillery house has been transformed into a low-key beer cafe with more than 250 bottled beers and 18 varieties on tap, including a superb…
Western Canal Ring
Yes, that stretch of the floor is glass and there really are koi swimming underfoot in this contemporary coffeeshop lounge. Once you tire of the fish,…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
Schuim means 'foam' (on beer) and this grungy, arty bar is extraordinarily popular with beer-swigging locals day or night. Art rotates on the walls every…
Southern Canal Ring
Garage, house, funk, soul, hip-hop, techno, live bands and performance art keep the punters happy at this small, quirky club. Entrance is occasionally…
Jordaan & the West
In the basement of a former squat, this Sunday-night club is a gay and lesbian institution. It's run by volunteers and comes with an attitude; arrive well…
De Pijp
The minute there's a sliver of sunshine, this place gets packed. Sure, the food's good and the bar's candlelit and cosy. But what really draws the crowds…
Southern Canal Ring
There are no sermons or psalms at this church: this is a hardcore gay cruise club that holds themed events. Unless you come dressed appropriately (check…
Southern Canal Ring
A crammed gay bar that's long been a local favourite. It's known for its Dutch music, and patrons sing (or scream) along to recordings of Dutch ballads…
Amsterdam Noord
This little kiosk next to the IJplein ferry stop serves wonderful authentic Italian coffee. The friendly Italian owners also make excellent panino…
Western Canal Ring
Writers, artists and students frequent this popular brown cafe for affordable food and good conversation. The dining room, with its old Heineken posters,…
Southern Canal Ring
Schiller has fabulous original art deco fittings such as funky chandeliers and lamps shaped like thorny roses. Portraits of Dutch actors and cabaret…
Southern Canal Ring
Greenwoods' cosy basement is perfect for escaping the canal bustle for scones and a cuppa. Breakfast and lunch are also available, including eggs prepared…
Western Canal Ring
Owned by a couple of laid-back American guys, this tiny shop – plastered with stickers inside and out – introduced the extra-sticky, potent 'Double Bubble…
De Pijp
Named for legendary medieval European figure King Gambrinus, renowned for his love of beer and brewing, this congenial split-level café, with giant…
Jordaan & the West
Heady aromas of roasting coffee waft from inside this monumental brick building at the Westergasfabriek former gasworks. Try its brews with cookies,…
Southern Canal Ring
This tucked-away, skylit place on lush Fredericksplein specialises in roasting beans from international coffee specialists; as you'd expect, the coffee is…
De Pijp
With its dark wood, mirrored-and-chandelier-rich splendour and shabby elegance, this brown cafe is a natural post–Heineken Experience wind-down spot (it's…
Amsterdam
Inside the Vondelpark, at its western edge, is this laid-back, hippyish-feeling bar-cafe and beer garden. Drink amid greenery in this cheery corner, with…
Jordaan & the West
The scrubbed-timber interior with stained-glass windows and big tables is a crowd-puller here. It's busy at weekends with groups of neo-Jordaanese young…
De Pijp
Like the surrounding neighbourhood, this relaxed coffeeshop brims with colourful characters of all ages and dispositions.
Jordaan & the West
Setting this coffeeshop apart from the pack are its half-dozen or so pinball machines, including the Walking Dead, Metallica, Iron Man and Star Trek, to…
Southern Canal Ring
This spacious art deco haven opens early for breakfast. As the day progresses, the leather booths and bar stools fill up with coffee- and cocktail…
Southern Canal Ring
At Boerejongens, a takeaway cannabis dispensary, good style is as important as good product. Employees wear white aprons, suspenders and bowties, while …
Western Canal Ring
A perfect Haarlemmerstraat shopping break, this little slice of Milan in Amsterdam, with a white-lacquer and red-cushioned interior, serves espresso from…
Jordaan & the West
A relaxed spot for a biertje (glass of beer), this old-style Jordaan café (pub) comes into its own at 5pm on Sunday, when crooners link arms and sing…
Southern Canal Ring
Pocket-sized Coffeeshop Free has sported its bamboo-heavy tiki-bar vibe for decades. The South Seas mural provides a nicely faded, balmy-days setting,…
Southern Canal Ring
Tropical decor and refreshing cocktails make Bar Dó a lovely escape. If the weather agrees, the outdoor street seating opposite a set of leaning houses is…
Amsterdam Noord
The historic 'cafe of the lock' overlooks the sluis (lock) of its name in a very pretty spot with an inviting terrace. It serves a delicious apple tart…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
'Lovely liquids, sexy snacks and twisted tunes' is the siren call of this hyper-retro bar with cocktails galore and Prosecco on tap. DJs spin pop, house…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
With a decor untouched in decades, this tiny brown cafe is worth visiting for its inlaid woodwork behind the bar (check out the zodiac signs) and wrought…
Amsterdam
A cool neighbourhood bar with outside tables and a lively buzz on ever livelier Javastraat, serving up local beers and cocktails, as well as excellent…
Western Canal Ring
The grandest and largest of Amsterdam's tasting houses only pours its Jordaan-produced house brands: 17 jenevers (Dutch gins) and 60 liqueurs.
Amsterdam
Small, but with a reputation for a good selection, good-quality product and fair prices, so much so that there may be queues. Cash only.
Amsterdam
With its photogenic powder-pink tiled wall, this light, bright cafe adjoining the Tire Station hotel has a tempting cabinet of rich tarts and homemade…
Amsterdam
This popular neighbourhood hangout has comfy chairs and benches, loads of light and excellent coffee, along with tasty freshly made sandwiches, plus a…
Amsterdam
You'll be bursting with health after a cold-pressed, all-natural juice, such as the Pro (apple, fennel, lemon and probiotic) or a shot of turmeric, orange…
Southern Canal Ring
It's been around a while, but super-luxe Jimmy Woo is still the go-to place for a crowd of beautiful young things. Its sultry look is by designer Thijs…
Amsterdam
Hugely popular with locals and tourists for its long list of Belgian beers, this longstanding favourite (literally, 'Gollem Tasting') is where you can…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
Cavernous, dark and always crammed, Nelly's attracts international visitors from the cheap lodgings in the area, including the attached Durty Nelly's…
