Coco's Outback is a large Australian bar and sits within one of Amsterdam's busiest nightlife squares. During the day it is fairly quiet and easy to find a table, however on weekends and evenings it can become quite busy, especially if there are sports screenings or DJ nights. The menu offers typical Australian meals such as grilled dishes, kangaroo steaks and burgers, and pies. At the bar, you can order from a wide variety of imported bottled beers, pints of frozen Heineken, shots, and cocktails.
One of the oldest bars in Amsterdam, Cafe Pieper has been around since 1665. It is popular 'brown cafe' i.e., a cozy old cafe with traditional Dutch-bar style, wood-paneling. Step inside and truly feel transported to another time, as most of the old decor like the worn out wooden floorboards covered with sand, the low hanging bar ceiling and the fading stained glass walls are still in place. Sit at the bar on a rainy day and enjoy a conversation with the locals, as every one is seated in close-quarters in this small bar. If you visit on a sunny day, be sure to sit outside and enjoy the spectacular view of the canal with a cold local beer and their famous meatballs.
Susie's Saloon is located just off the Red Light District and is popular with both tourists and the locals. For instance, the bar is spacious with enough space for pool tables, jukebox and a dart board. There are also large screens for sports, making this a busy spot when big games are being played. The bar has an English influenced menu, and serves full English breakfasts, burgers and sandwiches. Most of all, the most popular imported beers can also be ordered. In the summer, you can take advantage of their canal side terrace. Happy Hour is also available.
Located in the buzzing neighborhood of Rembrandtplein, AIR is relatively a new player on Amsterdam's party scene. The club boasts five bars serving cocktails and more, smoking areas and a capacity of 1300, making for some huge events headlined by local and international DJs. However, the friendly staff helps create a cozier and welcoming vibe.
Rum Barrel is a Caribbean bar located in the Indische Buurt neighborhood of Amsterdam which serves around 70 different varieties of rum coffee, cocktails and juices. The place has a tropical vibe with wall hangings and photographs of vintage cars on a street in Cuba. Rum Barrel isn't just a place where you can go for a drink, they also serve up some delicious traditional Cuban dishes for breakfast and lunch. To top it all up, Rum Barrel also stocks a variety of Cuban cigars to cap off your tropical Caribbean adventure in style.
Wilde Westen in the Bolo neighborhood of Amsterdam is one the city's best hangout spots at the moment. Situated under the Old GAK building, this eatery serving delicious wood-fired Italian pizzas, pasta and salads. The cozy interiors make this restaurant an amazing place to work during the day while having a quick snack or drink. The kitchen is open throughout the day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On Mondays Wilde Westen offers discounts as part of their Curious Monday initiative.
If there is one place that knows what it customers want, it is Abraxas. It is one of the limited places in Amsterdam where marijuana smoking is allowed. Add to that a fantastic art decor, great choice of beverages and wi-fi access, and you have one great place to hang out. The coffee shop bar serves a variety of juices, coffee-based drinks, milkshakes and light snacks. The mirror-gilded bar, with handmade mosaics and motifs is an eyeful. Arabian sofas and a Moroccan style decor make for an extremely relaxing atmosphere. One can choose to catch some action on the television here or just observe the moving multitude of Amsterdam outside. For a souvenir to remember Amsterdam by, just drop in at the Abraxas Souvenir shop round the corner.
Diep is sandwiched between two equally trendy hangouts, Seymourlikely and Bep. These places have a very pre-club feel to them. The Diep crowd is slightly older, not geriatric by any means, just slightly more mature than in some of the other bars in the center of Amsterdam. The cafe itself has a very "now," camp feel to it. Lots of interesting touches with special mention for the ticker-tape sign above the bar, which gives information about the music that will be played and the image projector that's used to spice up the walls. There is a DJ to liven the place up, and the atmosphere is pretty relaxed with people standing outside and interacting with the clientele from Seymourlikely and Bep. This little "strip" is a hangout for the hip and trendy and if you consider yourself one of that select group you should definitely pay a visit.
A corner café and bar where Dam Square meets the busy and bustling Damstraat, Café Zwart is a lively and welcoming venue for locals, ex-pats and tourists alike. The bar's terrace stretches around the corner, so it's sure to have some sun at almost any time of day. When the sun goes down, the party atmosphere inside keeps guests warm. The extremely friendly and fun bar staff are happy to chat, crack jokes and keep the vibe going as they pour everything from wine and spirits to strong Belgian beers. A pool table in back is perfect for those looking to test their skills, while the space in front of the bar often turns itself into an impromptu dance floor.
Susie's Saloon is located just off the Red Light District and is popular with both tourists and the locals. For instance, the bar is spacious with enough space for pool tables, jukebox and a dart board. There are also large screens for sports, making this a busy spot when big games are being played. The bar has an English influenced menu, and serves full English breakfasts, burgers and sandwiches. Most of all, the most popular imported beers can also be ordered. In the summer, you can take advantage of their canal side terrace. Happy Hour is also available.
Located on the edge of the Red Light District, this bar used to be a coffeeshop. In 2007, a new law which came into place, insisted that it would be no longer possible to sell both alcohol and cannabis on the same premises. So, the owner of this bar decided to open a separate coffeeshop next door and keep Ricks Café as a bar. As well as cocktails, the bar also offers a range of imported drinks such as Guinness and cider, amongst Belgian and Dutch Lagers. Inside, you can find an old railway carriage and half a car as decoration. There are also some tables upstairs which have good views of the canals.
Surrounded by the antique bookshops of Rosmarijnsteeg street lies Kadinsky. This cafe and shop is a popular choice amongst those seeking a taste of some quality marijuana. The shop boasts an impressive variety, all of which are pure and sold by weight. You are free to roll your own joint and enjoy it at any of the three levels of the coffee shop. With helpful staff who are always happy to lend advice and assistance, Kadinsky is great choice for connoisseurs and the uninitiated alike. Apart from marijuana, Kadinsky also serves up a selection of coffee, beer, hot chocolate and other beverages. Keep an eye out for their weekly discounts to get a sweet deal.