Amsterdam Nightlife

Amsterdam Nightlife

Amsterdam has a very diverse and enjoyable nightlife. The Amsterdam nightlife counts lots of bars and pubs where you can just chill out or dance the night away. The bars and pubs in Amsterdam are as divers as its inhabitants and the same goes for the many coffee shops in this city. There are many typical old Dutch bars, in Dutch called ´bruine kroeg´, while other bars and pubs are very modern and stylish.

Bars in Amsterdam are usually very style-ful decorated, most of them with a lounge influence. You will find that most bars in the centre of town aren't very cheap, but they are reasonable. Typical Amsterdam - bars are the cheapest, but we've found that usually the cheaper the bar, the less fun the place will be.

There are all kinds of bars. Some have a small dance floor, some a small restaurant, and some have live music. Bars are usually open until 2 to 3.00 am. They rarely close before that.

Bars and Pubs are aplenty in Amsterdam. You can find anything from local hang outs, ones packed with old dutch people playing cards or Irish and American bars, which cater for tourists.

If you are looking for a mad pub crawl and have a lot of money to spend, go to Red Light District and you will find something for any taste. Most bars there also pose as clubs. Prices can be double or even triple what you would spend in a dutch bar, but if you're into touristy places with loads of different nationalities, that's the place to be.

If you're more the sensible kind, and want to have a good time without blowing your money in one night, have a look at the bars in the centre or other parts of Amsterdam. You will also find English/Irish/Scottish pubs around town.

Late bars are not clubs but they are either chill-out bars or lively after ours bars. Some of them have a small dance floor, so you can dance the night away as well. Usually late bars have chill-out music, some people go to late bars after the clubs close, some people use the late bar if they don´t want to dance but are looking for a lively place. Late bars can be open unofficially or officially up to 10.00 am!!!

Amsterdam Cocktail bars

Looking for a nice and tasty cocktail?  Especially in the last few years, cocktails have gained popularity in Amsterdam. In many bars you can ask for the well known mojito, but there are also special cocktail bars with a variety of fresh cocktails with different flavours. Ask for the menu or go wild and let the bartenders surprise you!

Gay bars in Amsterdam

The city of Amsterdam has a very active gay nightlife and in the centre of the city you can find a lot of gay bars. Most gay bars and clubs can be found in the Reguliersdwarsstraat, where a big part of the gay nightlife takes place. You can find popular clubs like SOHO, ARC, April and Exit. Also a lot of gay bars are located near the Rembrandtplein.

For other suggestion on nice gay bars and clubs check our listings.

Clubs in Amsterdam

Those looking for a night out in a stylish, underground or lounge club should head to one of the numerous clubs that Amsterdam offers. Old factories, underground churches, refurbished boats and stylish canalhouses; Amsterdam has got clubs in all of them. Go to one of the main squares like Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein or Dam square and you will find a club of your range.

Check the general entrance-rules for clubs in Amsterdam to make sure you will get in.

1.     Age: In most clubs you have to be at least 18 years, sometimes even 21. Check the flyer or ask at the door. Always carry you identity card with you.

2.     Alcohol: Bartenders won’t serve alcohol to people younger than 16 and no spirits to people aged younger than 18.

3.     Clothes: some clubs don’t allow sneakers or sports wear. Check the interior of the club or pay attention to the required dresscode before going. Sneakers are usually allowed when worn in a ´hip´ combination.

4.     Groups: sometimes you get refused by the doorkeeper because you are with a group of (more than 4) people. So make sure you walk in pairs and also mix the sexes when possible.

5.     Mixture: Doorkeepers can be selectively in giving people priority to others. For example, a couple of girls can get priority because there is an overwhelming presence of men already.

6.     Alcohol: If you want to enter a club in a somewhat drunk condition, you probably wont make it into the club. Doorkeepers are alert to drunk people and those who took drugs.

7.     Weapons: You cannot bring any pointed weapon or gun into the club. Not even things that can be used as a weapon, like scissors, nailfiles or tweezers. In case of violation the police will be notified.

8.     Theme: Pay attention to the theme of the night. If it is a special night to dress up like a Hollywood star with lots of make up, it is a shame you enter a club in simple pants and worn out shoes.

9.     Guest lists: A lot of clubs use guest lists fo friends of the work staff or the DJs. However, there usually is enough space for people to get in without being on the guestlist, by just paying the entrance-fee which usually is about E10,-.

10. Some clubs have special cards for entering, for example a membership. But also then you can get in by paying the entrance-fee.

11. In most clubs there are security cameras.

12. Before entering the club, you usually get a body check. Woman are not allowed to get a body check by a male, unless they specifically ask them if it is ok. Most clubs have a female doorkeeper as well.

Coffee shops in Amsterdam

If you see an establishment in the Netherlands advertising itself as a coffee shop, you should know that this is not your regular coffee bar. A coffee shop in the Netherlands is usually a place where cannabis products are sold.

It was the year 1976 when the Netherlands decided to permit the sale and purchase of small quantities of cannabis (however these activities remain technically illegal, but tolerated by the legal judicial system) through a system of regulated coffee shops.

Strictly seen the selling of cannabis is illegal, but not punishable in the Netherlands. There are however, some regulations the shops need to live by. For instance it is not allowed for a coffee shop to advertise. Also the presence of a coffee shop shouldn’t cause any public disturbances for the neighbourhood. Since the Netherlands has a clear distinction between soft and hard drugs with cannabis being soft drugs it is obviously not allowed to sell hard drugs (which are illegal substances) in coffee shops. It is also not allowed to sell cannabis to minors (people under the age of 18).

In a coffee shop you can buy a maximum of 5 grams per person and to keep an eye on the business, coffee shops are obliged to register each sale.

If a coffee shop doesn’t comply with these regulations they take the risk of being shut down for a least a period of three months.

Throughout the country there are many coffee shops. In Amsterdam alone there are approximately 500 or so. Coffee shops vary from small modest establishments to several storied structures with lavish surroundings. Some have cushy seats with large pillows to lounge in and some just have regular seats. A few serve alcohol and even food or snacks. You can view the listings for some coffee shops beneath. Enjoy Amsterdam!