Cafes and bars

Amsterdam's cafés, lounge bars and nightclubs are as diverse as the city's residents. Enjoy a pint of beer with two fingers of foam in a traditional ‘brown bar’ or party until dawn to DJ Tiësto.

Brown café or bar

Those looking for a real Amsterdam experience should not miss a visit to an authentic Amsterdam pub known as a ‘brown café or bar’. The reason these charming café style pubs are brown is pretty simple: years of smoking. That said, sometime the walls are just painted brown. The interior is a bit faded, and the décor includes wooden tables with carpets (on them!), historic showpieces and a friendly barmaid who has been there since it opened. Some of the nicest brown cafes can be found around the Zeedijk close to Central Station, in the Jordaan district and the along the Utrechtsestraat. The Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein areas are also popular, especially amongst tourists.

Proeflokalen (tasting houses)

Taverns known as ‘proeflokalen’ (tasting houses) were very popular during the 17th century. Customers could sample alcoholic beverages before purchasing one or more bottles. The tasting houses typically specialise in old Dutch liquors such as ‘jenever’. There are still 'proeflokalen' in Amsterdam, though nowadays these samples are seldom free of charge.

Lounge and DJ-bars

Over the last ten years, an emergence of design cafés and lounge bars has made their mark on Amsterdam’s nightlife. Smaller versions of nightclubs in a way; with the latest DJs, trendy crowds and the best cocktails. Most lounge bars stay open until 01:00; some until 04:00.

Nightlife

Amsterdam’s nightlife is as varied as the city’s residents themselves. The city offers everything from night theatre, art parties and live music from well-known and up-and-coming international bands, to packed clubs with the best DJs spinning everything from R&B and house to hard rock and hip-hop. You’ll have plenty of time to take it all in, as most nightclubs stay open until 04:00, with some extended to 05:00 or 06:00 on weekends.

Smoking not allowed

It is not allowed to smoke in public areas in the Netherlands. Since July 2008 smoking is banned from all hospitality venues like bars, restaurants, discotheques and concert halls. Most larger venues do have designated areas, closed off from the rest of the public area, where smoking is allowed. Service is not provided in these areas, order at the bar.