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QUIRKY
BARS
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ABSINTHE
NIGHT BAR |
| BAR WITH
NO NAME Wolvenstraat 23 (3200843) Hidden in the midst of 'the Nine Streets', this is one of my favourite haunts in the city – even if it does open while I'm still asleep. I often come here whenever I'm in one of my 'only champagne will do' moods. It's a casual lounge bar with offbeat art, music, super friendly staff and possibly the oldest cat in Amsterdam. Plus they have a great breakfast, lunch and dinner menu (evening nosh is noodles and other pan-Asian delights). Puuurrrfect! Open: Mon-Thu 08.00-01.00, Fri, Sat 08.00-02.00, Sun 10.00-01.00 |
| HET
BLAAUWE THEEHUIS Vondelpark (6620254) Looks like a flying saucer that has landed in the park (especially beautiful when lit up at night). Great for coffees etc. during the day (though service can be slow) and the upstairs terrace is one of the best places to be in Amsterdam when the sun goes down (presuming it has come up). DJs play regularly. Beautifully romantic and ideal for drinks pre-picnic in the park (even if the gesture isn't appreciated). Open: Mon-Thu, Sun 09.00-01.00, Fri, Sat 09.00-03.00 |
| CAFÉ
CUBA Nieuwmarkt 3 (6274919) A home from home for all commies, this is one of the best bars on the Nieuwmarkt (the nearby homely Fonteyn and rustic Café Stevens are also worth a squiz). Great Mojitos (with fresh mint). Only drawback is that it can get very crowded. However, the trick is to come here towards the end of the day for that first post-work drink. Open: Mon-Thu 08.00-01.00, Fri, Sat 08.00-02.00, Sun 10.00-01.00 |
| CANTINA
WEST Haarlemmerweg 8-10 A canteen-style bar-restaurant in part of a disused gas factory by the Westerpark. During the summer there is a great little, colourfully-lit terrace with an outdoor bar. Open: never it seems when I pop by |
| IN
'T AEPJEN Zeedijk 1 (6268401) 'In the monkeys' is a charming bar within the oldest remaining wooden house in the city that dates from 1551. Authentic old Amsterdam with art deco touches and curios. Every Sat night an accordionist plays old sea shanties. In fact it's very associated with sailors, being in the old sailor's district of Amsterdam. The name comes from the days when sailors would stay above the bar. If they were unable to pay their hotel bills they would promise to bring back monkeys from the Dutch East Indies until it eventually became overrun. Open: Daily 15.00-01.00 |
| IN
DE WAAG Nieuwmarkt 4 This designer bar-restaurant is in a historical building that used to be the old gates to the city/weigh-house. Bang in the middle of the Nieuwmarkt square it looks like a castle inside and out. Its only lighting is candles hung in huge chandeliers. Also, upstairs (I don't know how possible it is to run up and have a peek) I went to see a multi-media exhibition and it was held in this spooky old room that used to be an anatomical theater. Criminals were dissected in front of a crowd of around 300 onlookers. Bleugh! (But morbidly fascinating.) This is also where Rembrandt famously painted 'Dr Tulip and The Anatomy Lesson'. Drinks can be pricey though and the terrace is uninspired. Open: Daily 10.00-midnight |
| KAPITEIN
ZEPPOS Gebed Zonder End 5 (6242057) Down a narrow alley and named after a Belgian TV cartoon this characterful bar-restaurant was formerly a 17th/18th horse-carriage stables,then later a cigar factory. Has a 40s wartime feel. Also plenty of live music in the evenings ranging from jazz to gypsy music. The restaurant, under a glass roof, is charming (kitchen is open from 18.00-22.00). Open: Mon-Thu 10.30-01.00, Fri, Sat 10.30-02.00, Sun 16.00-01.00 |
| KINGFISHER
Ferdinand Bolsstraat 23 (6712395) Opposite O'Donnells on the Heinekenplein, this is one of the best watering (and feeding) holes in the Pijp, city even. Fabulous fridges (these things matter), friendly staff, inspired 'world' food and long and loungey... Open: Mon-Thu 13.00-01.00, Fri, Sat 13.00-03.00 |
| LIME Zeedijk 104 (6393020) Hip, yet unprentious and friendly designer bar next to the Buddhist Temple on the Nieuwmarkt. Grab the lounge area for drinks pre-clubbing. Open: Mon-Thu, Sun 17.00-01.00, Fri, Sat 17.00-03.00 |
| LOS
PILONES Kerkstraat 63 (3204651) The place in town for Tequila: the Mexican brother who run this place stock around 35 different brands. Also offer superb authentic cuisine from their country (none of your Tex-Mex hybrid here). Open: Mon-Thu, Sun 16.00-01.00, Fri, Sat 16.00-02.00 |
| 'T
SMALLE Egelantiersgracht 12 (6239617) Formerly a liquor distillery Pieter Hoppe (of Hoppe & Jenever) opened it in 1786, it's now a quiet, totally charming, split-level wine bar (regular drinks also available). Beautiful in the summer - especially if you have a boat which you can moor up to its small, floating outdoors terrace. Open: Mon-Thu, Sun 10.00-01.00, Fri, Sat 10.00-02.00 |
| DE
STILL Spuistraat 326 (6201349) The place to come in town if whisky's your tipple: they have over 600 in total, organise tastings and an annual whisky fest in November. Open: Mon, Thu, Sun 15.00-01.00, Fri Sat 15.00-03.00 |
| SUITE Sint Nicolaasstraat 43 (489 6531) This is lounge heaven. One of my favourite bars in town and great for cocktails. It's spacious (check out the cellar floor), DJs play and food is Japanese-Med tapas. Hidden down a little alley - and what a find! |
| THE
TARA Rokin 89 - also an entrance on The Nes street (421 2654) My favourite Irish bar in town. It's sprawling (it has three bars) but has cosy nooks so you don't have to partake in the screenings of footie etc on the TVs. But if you do, it's a great place to watch sport. |
| 'T
TUINFEEST Gelderskade 109 (6208864) One of my favourite locals and well worth a few metres walk from the Nieuwmarkt. A cosy split-level bar with upbeat, unobtrusive music and lovely nosh. Open: Mon, Thu, Sun 16.00-01.00, Fri, Sat 16.00-03.00 |
| VOC
CAFÉ Prins Hendrikkade 94 (4288291) Simiar to DE WAAG (see below) in that this bar is also housed in a historical building - a round tower called the Schreierstoren (the 'weeping tower'). It was so called, apparently, as women would wave their husbands off to see in tears in the olden days. Yeah, right. Two cosy, but large rooms (one's like being in a library), with two terraces, plenty of live accordion and other music. Try their jenever (gin) De Zeedijker Schoot brewed to an old VOC (Dutch East India Company) recipe. |
| WIJNAND
FOCKINK Pijlsteeg 31 (6392695) Meaning 'Wine and Fucking' (honest guv) and what most of us feel like doing on an afternoon, this is undoubtedly the most charming 'tasting house' in Amsterdam. 50 old Dutch liquors and 20 jenevers (Dutch gin) can be sampled. Don't forget to look at their wonderful menu of drinks (in English) with the meanings behind the names. Finally: no mobile phones are allowed in here (bliss)! Open: Daily 15.00-21.00 |