Bars & Pubs in Amsterdam

Bars and pubs in Amsterdam come in all shapes and forms. From small and intimate bars and pubs to large bars with a real dance floor. Some bars or pubs serve as a restaurant during the day and turn into a true club with live music and a dance floor where you can dance during the night. Most of the bars are located in the city centre. But you can also find some local cafés and bars in the more suburban areas of Amsterdam, if you´re staying outside the centre.

To truly experience the Dutch lifestyle when in Amsterdam you should visit one of the local Dutch bars where you can find the locals playing cards and having a glass of beer or wine and you can be sure you’ll get a warm welcome. These bars and cafés often look like a fifties livingroom which really contributes to the ambiance. Most bars and pubs in Amsterdam are open until 3.00 am although there are some late night bars which stay open all night as well. Cafés and bars in the Netherlands regurlarly open about 10:00 am for a cup of coffee.

So you want to go for a beer or wine in a nice bar or pub but you don´t know where to go, we´ll give you some ideas of which bar or pub is worth visiting if you check out our listings below.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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