The 11 Best Bars & Nightlife in Amsterdam

One of Amsterdam's smallest and oldest brown cafés, tucked into a narrow alley near the Spui, dating back to 1798. Order a jenever or a carefully selected whisky — the collection is legendary and the bartenders know their stuff. It fits maybe 15 people, so arriving early is essential; it's closed Sundays and Mondays.

A proeflokaal (tasting house) operating since 1679, hidden in a passage behind the Krasnapolsky hotel, specializing in Dutch genevers and liqueurs made on-site. Stand at the bar — there are no seats — and try the house-made advocaat or one of dozens of traditional Dutch spirits. It's touristy by location but the product is genuinely excellent and authentic.

A beloved dive bar and live music venue near the Westerpark with a large terrace, cheap beer, and a genuinely mixed local crowd spanning ages and subcultures. It hosts regular live acts and has a pool table and pinball machines inside. The vibe is unpretentious and anti-hipster in the best possible way — no craft beer posturing, just good times.

A serious beer cafe tucked in an alley near Centraal, in a former distillery. 18+ taps and 250-plus bottles, a quiet 'no music' snug, and staff who actually know their stuff. This is where Amsterdam beer lovers go. Open Mon-Sat from noon; closed Sundays. Skip if you want cocktails.

A compact, unpretentious Belgian beer bar near the Dam with a rotating tap selection and an impressive bottle list, beloved by locals who know to duck off the main tourist drag. The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff are friendly without being performative. It's small and standing-room only when busy, which is often.

Amsterdam's beloved craft brewery, sitting right under the De Gooyer windmill on the east side. Order a Zatte or IJwit, grab the sunny terrace, and soak up locals-plus-beer-nerds energy. Open daily 14:00-22:00 (weekends from 12:00). Cash-and-card, no-frills, genuinely great. Bike or tram out here.

Amsterdam's original speakeasy-style cocktail bar, accessed via a reservation-only phone number and an unmarked door on Reguliersdwarsstraat. The cocktails are meticulously crafted and the intimate space — just a handful of tables — makes every visit feel special. You must book by phone or WhatsApp; walk-ins are almost never accommodated.

A beautifully designed cocktail bar in a former pharmacy on Elandsgracht, with an apothecary aesthetic and serious cocktail craft. The seasonal menu is inventive without being gimmicky, and the bartenders are among the best in the city. Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends as it fills up fast.

One of Amsterdam's most gorgeous brown cafes, on a picture-perfect Jordaan canal since the 1780s. Wood, candlelight, jenever, and a tiny waterside terrace. Great for a beer or genever with bitterballen, not a full dinner. Open daily from 13:00-14:00 until late. Come early for a canal seat.

A sustainably built bar and cultural space on a former shipyard in Amsterdam-Noord, with a beautiful waterside terrace and a genuinely creative, community-minded atmosphere. The drinks menu leans toward natural wine and local craft beer, and the food is thoughtful. It requires a short ferry ride from Centraal Station but the journey is part of the charm.

A sleek, low-lit cocktail bar on Rapenburg with a strong focus on seasonal ingredients and Japanese-influenced minimalism in both design and drink-making. The bartenders are attentive and the menu changes regularly to reflect what's fresh. It's one of the quieter high-end options in the city center, making it ideal for conversation.