Amsterdam Nightlife

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Nightlife

Anything goes when it comes to Amsterdam nightlife – whatever your preference, you'll find it somewhere between the Red Light District, the coffeeshops that sell soft drugs, the Holland Casino, the velvet-roped clubs, the gay bars on Reguliersdwarstraat, and the casual local haunts.

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The city’s newest big-time music venue, sitting on IJ River with great city views, includes two concert halls, one for classical concerts and the other for jazz.

Piet Heinkade 1; Amsterdam; 011-31-20-788-2010; www.muziekgebouw.nl

Follow the mix of locals and tourists as they swirl among the bars, clubs, cafés, and restaurants on this two-block-long stretch that’s become known as Amsterdam’s gay hub.

Reguliersdwarsstraat; Amsterdam

Opened in 1662 as a brewery and later converted into the city’s first concert hall, this space now hosts one of the chic-est clubs in town. Slink past murals of models on the ground floor and up to the present “concert hall,” where there might be a stage show or a DJ spinning the latest.

Singel 460; Amsterdam; 011-31-20-521-8555; www.odeontheater.nl

If you’re young, trendy, and in the know, or if you’re just looking for big name rock acts and cinema/art scenes, you’ll end up in this storied venue off Leidseplein at some point.

Lijnbaansgracht 234A; Amsterdam; 011-31-20-531-8181; www.melkweg.nl

Sail up to this former historic distillery’s boat dock for a heady bier; then sit outside while the moonlight glows off the canal. On second thought, don’t go here – we don’t want our favorite “brown café” to be overrun!

Egelantiersgracht 12; Amsterdam; 011-31-20-623-9617

So you want to try an Amsterdam “coffee shop” but don’t want to slum it like a college kid? This place could be a coffee shop in Boston, Chicago, or San Francisco were it not for its chief wares; expect poetry nights, live music, and DJs.

Brouwersgracht 11; Amsterdam; 011-31-20-623-5909; www.siberie.nl

Branford Marsalis has lauded the Bimhuis as one of the world’s three best venues for live Jazz. Nightly concerts in all styles from mainstream to avant garde are complemented by improv sessions held in an acoustic (and contemporary architectural) gem.

Piet Heinkade 3; Amsterdam; 011-31-20-788-2188; www.bimhuis.nl

Sure you can come for dinner but those in the know arrive late to catch the city’s only nightly, English language comedy review. Themed nights which touch on current events add to the laughs at this Leidseplein institution.

Leidseplein 12; Amsterdam; 011-31-20-530-7310; www.boomchicago.nl

Pretty it ain’t, but it oozes authenticity. A boisterous local crowd will sing along to the tearjerker “Jordaanse” music – even if they don’t know the words – but you’ll want to show up on a weekend evening when live accordion music sets an only-in-Amsterdam mood.

Westerstraat 109; Amsterdam; 011-31-20-624-5380; www.cafenolamsterdam.nl

Sand carpets the floor and wooden casks adorn the wall at this historical “tasting bar” (its name translates to “Three Little Bottles”) – an institution since 1650. Liqueurs and Dutch gins are the house specialties.

Gravenstraat 18; Amsterdam; 011-31-20-624-8443

Amsterdam Travel Guide: Deals to Amsterdam | Editor Picks | Smart Splurges | Great Values | Hotels | Restaurants | Things to do | When to go | Getting there | Local Tips | Shopping | Nightlife | Day Trips | Neighborhoods | Additional Resources

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