In de Wildeman may just be the best beer bar in Amsterdam. It is housed in an old distillery from 1690 just off the Nieuwezijds Kolk. The clientele consists of beer lovers who come from all over the world. Roughly 18 draught beers are available at any given time, along with around 150 bottled beers. Of course, the beers are changed regularly to avoid boredom and there are special themed weeks in which certain beers are celebrated, so there's always something new to sample.
Near Amsterdam's second most important amusement area, the Leidseplein, lies this small jazz pub with a short bar and just a few tables and chairs. Dimly lit, the cafe has a rustic charm to it with its soft candles and lanterns. Alto has been entertaining jazz lovers for more than 50 years and you will find the plastered photo walls of jazz greats quite alluring. The wooden floors adds to the mystique of the place while the nightly live performances gives it an ethereal aura to it. Go there if you are a jazz enthusiast, you might just love the place.
One of the oldest Irish pubs in Amsterdam, Mulligans is always alive with cheer and fun. On the menu are Irish staples like Guinness and Kilkenny on tap, as well as a large selection of regional whiskies. Live performances, mostly Celtic based, provide the background music of the night. Occasionally they host open mic sessions that are open to amateur musicians. Their staff is friendly and the atmosphere mirrors that of a lively pub in Ireland. You know you are in for a good time when you are at Mulligans.
Launched in 1990, Bourbon Street is arguably one of the best live music venues in Amsterdam. This place is a great choice if you're looking to experience a vibe akin to music clubs in the 1920s. Its retro ambiance is a great backdrop for blues, jazz, reggae and alternative rock. Their stage has been graced by the likes of BB King, Bruce Springsteen, and Joss Stone.
This collective collaboration of the NH Group of Hotels and three-star Michelin chef Jacob Jan Boerma is the flagship restaurant of the iconic Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky. The White Room is widely considered to be the longest running restaurant in Amsterdam. The interiors include ceiling ornaments, artwork and original 19th-century wall panels. The main dining room is grand as it gets and the cuisine is contemporary with a hint of local flavors.
Brouwerij is not really your ordinary pub and brewery. Only house-brewed beers are tapped here or sold in bottles. The furniture consists of bare wooden seats and tables next to a simple bar in this former municipal bathhouse. On the large terrace you will find people scattered out, sitting on the ground as well as the tables and chairs. Tours are available as well.
Gashouder is one of the most beautiful marvels of the Amsterdam city. This building is made of iron and steel and is often used as a backdrop for several commercial shootings and movies. Gashouder was formerly the biggest gasometer in all of Europe. However, now the place is used as a party venue and is well known for a lot of hip parties that the venue hosts. If you are looking to explore the city and have some fun times, this is the place to go.
De Drie Fleschjes is Amsterdam's oldest bar, serving up its signature slection of tasty liquors and beverages to locals since 1650. Situated on the West side of the Inner City, this historic location is still dominated by an entire wall of casks (fifty two to be specific), containing an assortment of signature blends. Old world decor and a near-unparalleled selection of high-quality tipples have kept De Drie Fleschjes in the mix since the 17th Century.