Destination
Things to see and do in Amsterdam : Nightlife
10 addresses
Bimhuis
Piet Heinkade 3 Amsterdam 1019 BR • + 31 20 788 2188Description:
WATERFRONT. Since opening in 1973, Amsterdam's foremost jazz venue has had all the greats shuffle onto its stage including Charles Mingus, Art Blakey and Chet Baker (who, in 1988, mysteriously fell to his death from the window of an Amsterdam hotel room). A few years ago, the Bimhuis left its Oude Schans address and moved to a stunning new waterfront location: a black shoebox structure which juts out one side of the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ. It stages around 300 concerts annually featuring both Dutch and international musicians and is widely regarded by those in the industry worldwide as one of the best places to catch all that jazz. Early in the week, open sessions take place; towards the end of the week, concerts are scheduled. No matter when you come, you'll be awed.
De Sluyswacht
Jodenbreestraat 1 Amsterdam 1011 NG • +31 20 625 7611Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Just across the road from the Waterlooplein Flea Market, this bar was built in 1695 as a lock-keeper's house and still retains its charming character, including wooden-beam ceilings. Its most distinctive feature, however, is that it leans! Rembrandt even sketched it from his house opposite (now Het Rembrandthuis museum). As well as having an upstairs and downstairs bar, it has a very peaceful waterside terrace; idyllic at sunset.
Het Muziektheater
Amstel 3 Amsterdam 1011 PG • +31 20 625 5455Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Not the most attractive of buildings, in fact its design looks positively old compared to some of the city newest developments. But the city opera house nonetheless, and home, since 1986, to De Nederlandse Opera and Het National Ballet in a complex it shares with city hall. As well as first-rate performances from its resident companies (tickets for the opera here sell out almost as soon as they're announced), its inspired guest programming is a feast for contemporary culture vultures.
't Loosje
Nieuwmarkt 32-34 Amsterdam 1012 CS • +31 20 627 2635Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. In former days, this brown cafe served as a tram waiting-room, and the decorative tilework it featured then still greets visitors. These days, 't Loosje is a comfortable place to meet up with friends, have a Heineken, and relax in unpretentious surroundings. A favorite with market traders during the day; students are prominent evening patrons, and food (sandwiches, soups) is available if you require a little sustenance. An outdoor terrace makes for good people-watching when the weather's mild. Beer is the specialty and includes draft selections, Belgian brews, and special offerings.
Escape
Rembrandtplein 11 Amsterdam 1017 CT • +31 20 622 1111Description:
EASTERN CANAL RING. Stylish and hi-tech with a hefty multimedia infusion, Amsterdam's most versatile night club has a warren of interconnected areas lounge bars, VIP stages, balconies and dancefloors pulsating with light and visuals under one big cavernous roof. The commercial club also has a variety of nightclubs ranging from house to classic 80s and 90s tracks, or you can take in some hip hop, R&B and lounge in one of the smaller areas. Dress in your trendiest gear if partying with over a thousand of Amsterdam's beautiful people is your cup of tea (along with long queues on a Saturday night.)
Café Schiller
Rembrandtplein 24 Amsterdam 1017 CV • +31 20 624 9846Description:
EASTERN CANAL RING. This renowned art-deco café remains virtually unchanged since its establishment in 1913, and is especially popular with literary and artistic folks. Paintings of former owner, Frits Schiller, adorn the walls and it's a welcome respite from many of the square's other noisy watering holes. The restaurant at the rear serves some terrific French fare. The art deco theme extends nextdoor to the larger Schiller Brasserie.
Getto
Warmoesstraat 51 Amsterdam 1012 HW • +31 20 421 5151Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Flash and glamor are the name of the game at this kitsch, New York-style bar, whose inspired cocktails are a favorite of gay men and women. Getto also has a fantastic restaurant at the rear, serving up tasty international fare with a deliberate 'home cooked' quality. Its burgers are the best in town! Along with drinks and socializing, the place offers regular special activities such as tarot card readings on Sunday evenings, live DJs, holiday parties and the like. If there's a brief lull, try to score a spot on the lounge area that divides the dining room from the bar. A guaranteed night of fun. Kitchen closes at 11pm.
ARC
Reguliersdwarsstraat 44 Amsterdam 1017 BM • +31 20 689 7070Description:
Guys and a few gals dripping with designer gear head to this sprawling designer bar on the city's trendiest gay street for post-work cocktails and gentle hip action as DJs spin upbeat lounge and other dance music; the action spills out onto the street in the summer. Daily happy hour 5pm-7pm and all night on Wednesday. Staff here are particularly friendly and also purvey a palatable range in nibbles. Kitchen closes at 11pm.
April's Exit
Reguliersdwarsstraat 42 Amsterdam 1017 BM • +31 20 625 8788Description:
CENTRAL CANAL RING. Something of an adjunct of Café April (a nearby gay establishment, closed for renovation in 2008), this multi-level dance club gets packed at the weekends with a predominantly male crowd and a handful of women. Its location on the hip Reguliersdwarsstraat reflects in its clientele.
Absinthe Bar
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 171 Amsterdam 1012 RK • +31 6 46 07 64 76Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Although folks differ as to whether the bar serves the actual, mind-altering absinthe that was so favored in the 19th century (they're licensed to make their own), it does cultivate an exotic ambience that is in keeping with the mysterious liqueur. The place also maintains a strong alternative quotient, from its North African decor to its hip clientele. Of course, if you don't want to sample the latter-day absinthe, other alcoholic beverages can be had as well. Great for people-watching too.
Best of the City
Bimhuis
Piet Heinkade 3 Amsterdam 1019 BR • + 31 20 788 2188Description:
WATERFRONT. Since opening in 1973, Amsterdam's foremost jazz venue has had all the greats shuffle onto its stage including Charles Mingus, Art Blakey and Chet Baker (who, in 1988, mysteriously fell to his death from the window of an Amsterdam hotel room). A few years ago, the Bimhuis left its Oude Schans address and moved to a stunning new waterfront location: a black shoebox structure which juts out one side of the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ. It stages around 300 concerts annually featuring both Dutch and international musicians and is widely regarded by those in the industry worldwide as one of the best places to catch all that jazz. Early in the week, open sessions take place; towards the end of the week, concerts are scheduled. No matter when you come, you'll be awed.
Het Muziektheater
Amstel 3 Amsterdam 1011 PG • +31 20 625 5455Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Not the most attractive of buildings, in fact its design looks positively old compared to some of the city newest developments. But the city opera house nonetheless, and home, since 1986, to De Nederlandse Opera and Het National Ballet in a complex it shares with city hall. As well as first-rate performances from its resident companies (tickets for the opera here sell out almost as soon as they're announced), its inspired guest programming is a feast for contemporary culture vultures.
ARC
Reguliersdwarsstraat 44 Amsterdam 1017 BM • +31 20 689 7070Description:
Guys and a few gals dripping with designer gear head to this sprawling designer bar on the city's trendiest gay street for post-work cocktails and gentle hip action as DJs spin upbeat lounge and other dance music; the action spills out onto the street in the summer. Daily happy hour 5pm-7pm and all night on Wednesday. Staff here are particularly friendly and also purvey a palatable range in nibbles. Kitchen closes at 11pm.
Jimmy Woo
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 18 Amsterdam 1017 RE • +31 20 626 3150Description:
CENTRAL CANAL RING. The city's most glamorous club is based around the concept of a fictional Chinese Triad tycoon who enjoys throwing extravagant parties in his opulent, Oriental-style lounge, akin to an 18th-century Chinese opium den. Its dance area has a state-of-the-art sound system and illuminated ceiling which contains no less than 12,000 tiny light bulbs. It probably comes as little surprise that it's popular with visiting celebs such as George Clooney and Pharrell Williams and that the door policy is strict (dress to impress!).
Paradiso
Weteringschans 6-8 Amsterdam 1017 SG • +31 20 626 4521Description:
CENTRAL CANAL RING. In its former life, this live music venue was a beautiful church. These days, Christian hymns have been supplanted by more energetic rhythms, and the striking space welcomes bands from around the world. Paradiso's terrific acoustics appeal to both the audience and to performers, who range from the up-and-coming to the well-known. On weekend evenings, top DJs are booked, and club-goers dance to house, jazz and disco across a variety of levels amid the renovated architecture of the past.
Boom Chicago
Leidseplein 12 Leidseplein Theater, Amsterdam 1017 PT • +31 20 530 7310Description:
CENTRAL CANAL RING. If you need a night of comic relief, there's no better place to get it than a Boom Chicago performance. Created by American expatriates, the shows take on Dutch life and foibles, inviting everyone to participate in a fast-paced world of wit, physical comedy and fun. Great production values, terrific food, and talented improv scenarios characterize the shows, addressing such topics as pop culture and American foreign policy and eliciting laughs galore!
Sugar Factory
Lijnbaansgracht 238 Amsterdam 1017 PHDescription:
CENTRAL CANAL RING. This centrally-located club (opposite the Melkweg) has the most inspired and eclectic programming of any of the city's nightspots. Early evening art exhibitions, fashion shows, big band acts, performance art and cutting-edge multimedia events make way for similarly diverse parties later on. Themes could be anything from Berlin cabaret to Barcelona house or women-only burlesque nights. Lydia Lunch has taken to the stage of this industrial-style former sugar factory (hence the name), as have some of Europe's finest: DJ Ursula 1, Richard Dorfmeister and Mr & Mrs Cameron to name but a few.
Melkweg
Lijnbaansgracht 234a Amsterdam 1017 PH • + 31 20 531 8181Description:
CENTRAL CANAL RING. It's no coincidence that Melkweg's name, translated, is the tongue-in-cheek 'Milky Way,' given that the complex once operated as a dairy. The revamped center-city attraction is now an entertainment and nightlife magnet, offering patrons everything from dancing and live music to theater performances and film screenings. The large venue also houses a restaurant and gallery, and it sells alcohol and hosts parties as well. If you want to be surrounded by other revelers or just require a choice of entertainments before you make a decision, Melkweg should be your first (and perhaps only) destination.
Concertgebouw
Concertgebouwplein 2-6 Amsterdam 1071 LN • +31 20 671 8345Description:
MUSEUM QUARTER / VONDELPARK. Said to be the busiest classical music venue in the world (it puts on over 800 concerts a year), this stately neo-classical building dates from 1889 and has an equally grand interior. The crème de la crème of international orchestras and conductors regularly appear in the main auditorium renowned for its acoustics while chamber music is performed within the intimate confines of the small upstairs hall. Free-entry concerts, held on Wednesdays from winter through spring, often afford the chance to see a top conductor rehearsing for the evening's performance (queue early: they're popular!), while concert prices are reduced in July and August. Audrey Hepburn owned a season ticket when she lived in Amsterdam and, alongside its classical and world music repertoire, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Dionne Warwick and Frank Zappa have all appeared here.
Pacific Parc
Polonceaukade 23 Amsterdam 1014 DA • +31 20 488 7778Description:
One of the city's best kept nightlife secrets, this enormous café-restaurant on the grounds of the former gasworks, Westergasfabriek, clears away its tables and chairs after dinner on Friday and Saturday and turns into a club. (Kitchen closes at 10pm.) Regularly drawing a 350-strong, 20- to 30- something crowd, it's perfect if you're seeking something relaxed and intimate rather than shiny and hip. Most other nights, DJs also spin and live soul, jazz or funk bands make a welcome addition to the dining menu.
Bars
Café Schiller
Rembrandtplein 24 Amsterdam 1017 CV • +31 20 624 9846Description:
EASTERN CANAL RING. This renowned art-deco café remains virtually unchanged since its establishment in 1913, and is especially popular with literary and artistic folks. Paintings of former owner, Frits Schiller, adorn the walls and it's a welcome respite from many of the square's other noisy watering holes. The restaurant at the rear serves some terrific French fare. The art deco theme extends nextdoor to the larger Schiller Brasserie.
Getto
Warmoesstraat 51 Amsterdam 1012 HW • +31 20 421 5151Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Flash and glamor are the name of the game at this kitsch, New York-style bar, whose inspired cocktails are a favorite of gay men and women. Getto also has a fantastic restaurant at the rear, serving up tasty international fare with a deliberate 'home cooked' quality. Its burgers are the best in town! Along with drinks and socializing, the place offers regular special activities such as tarot card readings on Sunday evenings, live DJs, holiday parties and the like. If there's a brief lull, try to score a spot on the lounge area that divides the dining room from the bar. A guaranteed night of fun. Kitchen closes at 11pm.
Absinthe Bar
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 171 Amsterdam 1012 RK • +31 6 46 07 64 76Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Although folks differ as to whether the bar serves the actual, mind-altering absinthe that was so favored in the 19th century (they're licensed to make their own), it does cultivate an exotic ambience that is in keeping with the mysterious liqueur. The place also maintains a strong alternative quotient, from its North African decor to its hip clientele. Of course, if you don't want to sample the latter-day absinthe, other alcoholic beverages can be had as well. Great for people-watching too.
The Getaway
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 250 Amsterdam 1012 RR • +31 20 627 1427Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Formerly the über-trendy Seymour Likely Lounge, this inconspicuous place can be spotted by large letters on its window which announce: It's a bar. Located just behind Dam square in an area with some of the coolest nightspots, including nearby Supperclub, Absinthe Bar and NL Lounge, it's unsurprising that the clientele are younger trendy types. However, the atmosphere is definitely unpretentious with a firm emphasis on fun and friendliness. DJs fill the long, split-level, lounge-style bar with upbeat contemporary sounds from 9pm (10pm at weekends), and it slips into a grey-area between bar and club. Indeed it's a great venue to partake in a cocktail or two en route to some late-night dancing action. During the day, the bar also opens for lunch and many of the city's clubbers and DJs congregate on its street terrace (open in warmer months) to catch up on the previous night's gossip.
In de Wildeman
Kolksteeg 3 Amsterdam 1012 PT • +31 20 638 2348Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Occupying space that once sheltered a distillery, this popular tasting house may overwhelm you with possibility. Around 200 bottled beers represent the countries of the world (although the specialty is Belgian brews), 17 draught beers and a substantial array of jenevers (Dutch gin flavored with juniper berries and other flavors) makes for some potent drinking. Should you find yourself in need of sustenance, they'll ply you with savory snacks. A diverse clientele in its main and smaller bars enlivens both the mix and the atmosphere.
De Drie Fleschjes
Gravenstraat 18 Amsterdam 1012 NM • +31 20 624 8443Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Since 1650, this place has been offering residents of and visitors to Amsterdam a bit of alcohol. In the early 19th century, it became affiliated with a local distillery and is now their tasting house. The cozy, authentic establishment invites folks to come in and try jenevers and traditional Dutch liquors. A unique design element (which is not without a bit of practicality) is the series of small wooden kegs that lines the wall at the bar.
De IJsbreker
Weesperzijde 23 Amsterdam 1091 EC • +31 20 468 1808Description:
By day, this desirable cafe offers a quiet place for patrons to sit and indulge in a drink or a bite. Come night, the 'drink and bite' part still applies, but things kick into a higher gear. The social scene picks up, and live bands play a variety of styles in the little theater at the rear. Outside, a shaded street terrace allows patrons to catch a breath of air while they nurse drinks, and the nearby Amstel River offers calming views of the water. Belgian and Dutch beers are available.
Brouwerij 't IJ
Funenkade 7 Amsterdam 1018 AL • +31 20 320 1786Description:
FURTHER AFIELD. If you're a true beer aficionado, interested in the myriad possibilities of wheat, hops, and the like, you'll want to make a side trip to this small micro-brewery, located nextdoor to a windmill. Alcohol content ranges from 6 to 10%, and many of the potent libations are double- or triple-brewed. Along with house-made standards, they also craft seasonal offerings, which you'll want to sample as well, perhaps on their outdoor terrace or the banks of the canal.
Ciel Blue Bar
Ferdinand Bolstraat 333 Hotel Okura Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1072 LH • 020-678-7111Description:
FURTHER AFIELD. 'Blue Sky' aptly describes the bar of this desirable French restaurant, given that the two share a lofty perch on the 23rd floor of the Okura Hotel. The sophisticated venue affords upscale clientele an incomparable view of the city, especially at twilight or at night, when Amsterdam is laid out below like a handful of scattered jewels. Expansive glass walls maximize the panorama, and you'll delight in the opportunity to lounge with a well-mixed drink in good company.
Brown Cafe
De Sluyswacht
Jodenbreestraat 1 Amsterdam 1011 NG • +31 20 625 7611Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Just across the road from the Waterlooplein Flea Market, this bar was built in 1695 as a lock-keeper's house and still retains its charming character, including wooden-beam ceilings. Its most distinctive feature, however, is that it leans! Rembrandt even sketched it from his house opposite (now Het Rembrandthuis museum). As well as having an upstairs and downstairs bar, it has a very peaceful waterside terrace; idyllic at sunset.
't Loosje
Nieuwmarkt 32-34 Amsterdam 1012 CS • +31 20 627 2635Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. In former days, this brown cafe served as a tram waiting-room, and the decorative tilework it featured then still greets visitors. These days, 't Loosje is a comfortable place to meet up with friends, have a Heineken, and relax in unpretentious surroundings. A favorite with market traders during the day; students are prominent evening patrons, and food (sandwiches, soups) is available if you require a little sustenance. An outdoor terrace makes for good people-watching when the weather's mild. Beer is the specialty and includes draft selections, Belgian brews, and special offerings.
Cafe Hoppe
Spui 18-20 Amsterdam 1012 XA • +31 20 420 4420Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Hoppe's reputation as an after-work hangout is legendary, and you'll often find it packed with patrons, most of whom must stand and many of whom spill out onto the sidewalk. The elegant, Old World interior is a terrific place to sample a rich local beer or perhaps some traditional Dutch gin. Hoppe, which has been around since 1670, exudes an age-old charm and openness, and there's never a shortage of hospitality and welcome. Stop by and see for yourself.
Cafe Gollem
Raamsteeg 4 Amsterdam 1012 VZ • +31 6 46 75 01 55Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. Albeit small in size, this inviting brown bar is a big player in the game of beer selection. With hundreds of bottled beers and a number of on-tap options, the place appeals to those who appreciate the heady, rich flavor of good brews. A good proportion of the beers are Belgian in origin, although you'll find samples from elsewhere on the planet as well. A great equalizer, the bar takes care of everyone from tourists and blue-collar workers to professionals and locals.
Alto Jazz Café
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115 Amsterdam 1017 PX • +31 20 626 3249Description:
CENTRAL CANAL RING. Regulars and those in-the-know flock to this cozy, welcoming brown café to hear some of the city's best jazz. Each night, a mix of folks settles down to partake of the rhythms provided by top musicians. At times, there are guest performers; generally, you'll be regaled by talented local groups. Best of all, there's no cover to listen to the music. You'll just want to order a well-mixed cocktail, perhaps a Dutch beer, or some jenever and ease back into the night and the music. Performances generally begin at 10pm.
Reijnders
Leidseplein 6 Amsterdam 1017 PT • +31 20 623 4419Description:
CENTRAL CANAL RING. A familiar presence in the city, this cozy brown bar has been an Amsterdam mainstay since the late 19th century. Dark woods and subtle lighting impart a pub-like feel that patrons find particularly appealing when it's cold outside. When the weather warms, a glass-enclosed area towards the front lets folks take in views of the busy Leidseplein. Alcohol offerings are broad, especially the selection of international beers and Irish whiskeys. Pub food, appetizers, and sandwiches including a traditonal Sunday roast can be had as well. Amiable and fun.
De Vergulde Gaper
Prinsenstraat 30 Amsterdam 1015 DD • +31 20 624 8975Description:
WESTERN CANAL RING / JORDAAN. Regular patrons find plenty of reasons to applaud this fashionable brown café. For starters, it's got an inviting ambience that appeals to folks who want to pass some time with friends and a drink or two. If the munchies hit, a range of light fare can help ward off hunger pangs. By all accounts, though, the outside terrace is the venue of choice. Close to the Prinsengracht canal, it's a sublime place to sit, sun, and savor the day. Or the night.
Cafe 't Smalle
Egelantiersgracht 12 Amsterdam 1015 RL • +31 20 623 9617Description:
WESTERN CANAL RING / JORDAAN. A neighborhood favorite, this absolutely charming split-level brown café is almost always well-populated, and you'll likely be hard-pressed to find a seat. Since its opening in the late 18th century, 't Smalle has made sure that locals and other folks are well-supplied with alcohol and camaraderie. The selection of wine and beer is especially good, and you'll find it a particular draw with the after-work crowd. Additional space to accommodate patrons comes in the form of a canal-side terrace and small pontoon.
Saarein 2
Elandsstraat 119 Amsterdam 1016 RX • +31 20 623 4901Description:
CENTRAL CANAL RING. Amsterdam's infamous women's bar a traditional split-level brown bar opened in the quiet Jordaan district in 1978, but these days enjoys an incarnation as a mixed gay bar, although it still attracts a predominantly lesbian clientèle. Popular with both young and older women during the week, it gets especially crowded at the weekend. In fact, many choose to start their's at the 5pm-7pm (beer) happy hour on Friday. As well as a pool table, magazine selection and wi-fi, it's also possible to order a pizza in the evening.
Café Ebeling
Overtoom 50-52 Amsterdam 1054 HK • +31 20 689 4858Description:
MUSEUM QUARTER / VONDELPARK. This versatile brown café (once a bank) pulls in patrons throughout the day, thanks to an inviting ambience, good beer, and tasty food. Lunch and dinner menus are both available in the separate dining room, and the bar sports a pool table and sofas to lounge on. Come evening, bartenders play a variety of hip music, from funk to house and soul, and a fashionable crowd congregates for camaraderie and casual fun. Good any time.
Dance Clubs
Escape
Rembrandtplein 11 Amsterdam 1017 CT • +31 20 622 1111Description:
EASTERN CANAL RING. Stylish and hi-tech with a hefty multimedia infusion, Amsterdam's most versatile night club has a warren of interconnected areas lounge bars, VIP stages, balconies and dancefloors pulsating with light and visuals under one big cavernous roof. The commercial club also has a variety of nightclubs ranging from house to classic 80s and 90s tracks, or you can take in some hip hop, R&B and lounge in one of the smaller areas. Dress in your trendiest gear if partying with over a thousand of Amsterdam's beautiful people is your cup of tea (along with long queues on a Saturday night.)
April's Exit
Reguliersdwarsstraat 42 Amsterdam 1017 BM • +31 20 625 8788Description:
CENTRAL CANAL RING. Something of an adjunct of Café April (a nearby gay establishment, closed for renovation in 2008), this multi-level dance club gets packed at the weekends with a predominantly male crowd and a handful of women. Its location on the hip Reguliersdwarsstraat reflects in its clientele.
Odeon
Singel 460 Amsterdam 1017 AW • +31 20 521 8555Description:
CENTRAL CANAL RING. Located in a canal house dating from 1662, this was once home to the notorious gay club, DOK, whose visitors included David Bowie, Elton John and Jean Paul Gaultier. Following the demise of DOK, it was patronized largely by students until a major revamp in 2005. Now its plush interior is a haven for more monied and mature folk who can enjoy cocktails and dinner in the brasserie or restaurant before taking in classic cuts in the palatial dance hall upstairs (Friday and Saturday). Although perhaps not the edgiest of hotspots, it does still make for an all-in-one evening out.
Panama
Oostelijke Handelskade 4 Amsterdam 1019 BM • +31 20 311 8686Description:
WATERFRONT. This upscale entertainment complex takes care of a host of nighttime needs, including dining, dancing, and even theater-going. On weekend evenings, DJs regale patrons with music that could range from electro and house to Latin, and the atmosphere resonates with energy and merriment. Panama's clientele has a tendency to be a bit older than the college age norm, a boon for those who've passed the quarter-century mark. They also tend to have fatter wallets which a night here requires.
Club 8
Admiraal de Ruyterweg 56B Amsterdam 1056 GL • +31 20 685 1703Description:
FURTHER AFIELD. A vast, endearingly scruffy space above (and part of) a pool center (snooker, not swimming!) is the unusual location for one of Amsterdam's edgiest clubs. It's regularly inhabited by ardent followers of nights such as Club Rascal who purvey the finest indie music around; gay electro, techno and minimal night, UNK; and Burlesque Freakout, a wicked few hours of twisted vaudeville. The only drawback is that it's not in the center of town, but well worth the short trip to the suburbs.
Bitterzoet
Spuistraat 2 Amsterdam 1012 TS • +31 20 521 3001Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. A short walk from Centraal Station, this small club is popular with a young crowd who appreciate its varied live music and party programming which could range from a hip hop night to a reggae evening or a night of underground indie from a visiting US band. It focuses firmly on emerging talent, especially crossover acts.
Club NL
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 169 Amsterdam • +31 20 622 7510Description:
OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. When it opened its doors in 1999, this stylish and sophisticated club was a proponent of Amsterdam's lounge scene. These days, however, the easy listening vibe has made way for more grooving house sounds. Big name European DJs like Trentemøller and Ruis da Silva have spun here, while celebs such as Mick Jagger and Naomi Campbell have popped in. Aside from its location in the heart of Amsterdam's cool club land (just round the corner from the Supperclub and punctuated by trendy bars), it's open every night of the week. It's also the place to come for sublime cocktails.
To see, to do in Amsterdam
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