Amsterdam: Nightlife

’t Smalle 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! Western Canals; Egelantiersgracht 12; 011-31-20-623-9617
cafe | patio

Bimhuis 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. Oostelijk Havengebied; Piet Heinkade 3; 011-31-20-788-2188; www.bimhuis.nl
architecture | jazz | smart splurge | live music

Boom Chicago 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; Leidseplein 12; 011-31-20-530-7310; www.boomchicago.nl
comedy

Café Nol 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. Jordaan; Westerstraat 109; 011-31-20-624-5380; www.cafenolamsterdam.nl
traditional | dutch | pub

De Drie Fleschjes 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. Centrum; Gravenstraat 18; 011-31-20-624-8443
traditional | bar | dutch

Melkweg 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. Southern Canals; Lijnbaansgracht 234A; 011-31-20-531-8181; www.melkweg.nl
gallery | trendy | live music | cinema

Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ 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. Eastern Docklands; Piet Heinkade 1; 011-31-20-788-2010; www.muziekgebouw.nl
jazz | cafe | live music

Odeon 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. Southern Canals; Singel 460; 011-31-20-521-8555; www.odeontheater.nl
dancing | live music | nightclub

Panama World class deejays from Holland and abroad spin all styles of electronic music in this fashionable hipster club that doubles as a lounge and restaurant. Restaurant open everyday; club open Thursday-Sunday. Oostelijk Havengebied; Oostelijke Handelskade 4; 011-31-20-311-8686; www.panama.nl
trendy | dancing | cover charge | nightclub

Reguliersdwarsstraat 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. Southern Canals; Reguliersdwarsstraat
dancing | lounge | open late | bar | gay | nightclub

Siberië 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. Western Canals; Brouwersgracht 11; 011-31-20-623-5909; www.siberie.nl
cafe | live music

Vyne Glass-fronted coolers, chrome bar stools, leather bench seating, and a design-chic wall of backlit wine bottles set the mood for the city’s most stylish wine and tapas crowd. Dress to impress. Jordaan; Prinsengracht 411; 011-31-20-344-6408; www.vyne.nl
trendy | notable wine list | wine bar