Introduction
I am going to be honest, this was a tough one for me to write about the best bars in Amsterdam as no.1 Amsterdam is one of my favourite European Cities and no.2 because Amsterdam is one of my favourite European Cities its so hard to choose as there are soooooo many!
So I have whittled it down to the bars I seem to find myself coming back to time and time again as I feel this says a lot about my experience. No doubt I will keep adding to this list but for now, there is no better place to start!
Pre Drink
Before we start our pub crawl I want to tell you about the best pre drinking spot in the City.
SkyLounge Amsterdam
DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station
This spot is perfect for pre drinks because it is a real special treat.
Right at the top of the Hilton Hotel you will find the ultra cool SkyLounge Bar.
Drinks are real nice here and believe me when I tell you it has THE BEST views of the City.
This is a bit of a secret spot that is overlooked due to it being on the outer area of the City but it is next to the train station so within easy walking distance.
I actually found out about this bar from a waiter when I had my first trip here and wasn’t sure where to go. Its good to ask the locals their recommendations and go slightly off the tourist track and WOW was this worth it!
Order a nice posh drink, snuggle under a blanket and enjoy the views!
We are going to start our pub crawl of the best bars in Amsterdam in the heart of Amsterdam and my absolute favourite place…….
THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT!
Black Tiger Bar
Oudezijds Achterburgwal 23, 1012 DA Amsterdam
Now you are probably wondering why out of all the bars on the list of the best bars in Amsterdam I have started with this one, well its tradition! You cannot go to the Red Light District without stopping off here for a pint.
If it is your first time visiting the district then no doubt you are overwhelmed by the sights you have come across walking down the most famous road in Amsterdam, so I would say jump in here to take the weight off and reflect on what you have just experienced.
Why do I like this bar so much? Its central, it plays good music, it has two floors, its decent prices and its quirky. Its just a good place to start the night and get you in the party mood.
Like most of Amsterdam’s bars there is also a smoking room downstairs.
This bar is comforting to me with its cheesy décor and dive bar feel, I just always end up having a good time here. I would be cheating myself if I didn’t add this on my list so what better place to start!
Belushi’s
Warmoesstraat 129, 1012 JA Amsterdam
Just round the corner from the main street of the red light district and just off the main square you will find Belushi’s.
Belushi’s is rather deceiving. From the outside it look pretty small but once you walk through the door it opens up it a really cool party bar. I really like the industrial feel and the poster walls. It makes the place feel really on point and trendy and you know you have picked the right spot when you walk in.
Belushi’s is a bar/restaurant that actually serves some pretty decent grub. The burgers are yummy and its a great way to line the stomach! come evening time it turns into a bar that plays party and Indie bangers. (Personally my favourite mix of music!) It also has a garden if you fancy a bit of a le carte dining or just want some fresh air.
And just to top it off…….Belushi’s have a happy hour every day from open until midnight! making it the longest running happy hour in Amsterdam and one of the best bars in Amsterdam!
Hiding In Plain Site
Rapenburg 18, 1011 TX Amsterdam
Still in the area of the Red Light District we move on to the next bar on the list of best bars in Amsterdam.
A not so secret Speakeasy. I mean this place isn’t totally obvious but compared to some of the speakeasies I have been to its not the most discreet either. It is on the corner and looks like a store front but the difference is inside is a lively bar, not a sex shop! I guess that’s why its called hiding in plain site….right?
Anyway you should have been able to find your way here and when you walk inside you are greeted to a 1920’s treat!
Take the weight off on one of the beautiful chesterfield sofas and order a drink from the menu that is more like a treasured book you would find in a library than a cocktail list.
The waiters know their stuff here and there is an extensive list of cocktails to choose from. Order on or off the menu and either way you wont be disappointed. This is not known as one of the best cocktail bars in Amsterdam for no reason! And because of its reputation it is important to note that the prices are slightly above average here, but you get what you pay for right?
Hiding in Plain Site is perfect for a bit of down time and even more perfect for a date night.
Whatever the reason for visiting, you are going to love it!
Drink n Sink – Cafe Bar Amsterdam
Warmoesstraat 58, 1012 JG Amsterdam
Drink n Sink, what can I say…….if you’re looking for a party in Amsterdam this is the place to go.
Another bar in the Red light District area of Amsterdam, Drink N sink has it all. Sports bar by day, Party bar by night!
It has 10 screens that show all the major sporting events throughout the day but if you have something specific in mind and they are not showing , have a word behind the bar and they will see what they can do.
Food is served throughout the day including breakfast and its a good choice too.
For all you tokers they provide herbs on the bar that you can mix into your roll ups as tobacco joints are frowned up in Amsterdam. (A little confession…..the first time I went in here I was pretty buzzed and thought the free herbs were free weed….don’t get confused like I did)
Come evening time the bar turns into a club and dancing on the tables/bar is highly encouraged. They play a good variety of music for all genres and the shots are plentiful in this place! Its a great vibe if you’re up for a good time and the drinks are reasonably priced too.
The End Karaoke Amsterdam
A 3-min walk from the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam
Ok so by this point you should really be in the party mood which brings us to our last stop of the best bars in Amsterdam in the Red Light District, and you cant go wrong this this one.
The End is a small intimate venue but they know how to show you a good time! I was singing my heart out all night in this place and the bar staff have the patience of a saint!
They have a small stage in the middle of the bar with two silver, old style microphones. Request your favourite song whilst sipping on your favourite beer and wait for your moment to shine…..or fall over in my experience!
This really is what you would expect from a karaoke bar. Everyone is up for it and I got chatting away to loads of different people and even ended the night with a duet with one of my new friends.
Its dark, moody and everything you want from a karaoke bar. No one takes themselves seriously and everyone is supportive and fun. Even if you just go to watch, you must check this spot out for a lot of laughs and who knows, you might even find yourself on the stage
So you made it this far……next we move on to Rembrandt Square for the final part of the bar crawl of the Best Bars In Amsterdam.
Door 74
Near Rembrandtsquare Amsterdam
I cant give away the exact location on here as that will spoil all the fun!
This is Amsterdam’s best speakeasy bar near Rembrandt Square.
You are going to need to pre book this one due to how popular it is.
The only way to identify this bar is to look for the big black door! That will be fun after a few drinks. Once you have found it ring the doorbell and you will be assisted.
Once you successfully find your way in side the hard work will pay off.
This is an intimate, cosy, exclusive men’s club type bar with some of the best cocktails in Amsterdam. The cocktails are amazingly creative and I would suggest you go for something out of the norm to really get the benefit of this bar. It really sticks to the prohibition theme and is a fun, classy venue. No drink will be as expected. You will always find an added twist thrown in.
I wont say too much more about this bar as I don’t want to give the game away but this is a must see when you are in Amsterdam so make sure you get that reservation in!
Pianobar Maxim
Leidsekruisstraat 33-35, 1017 RG Amsterdam
Right in the heart of Leidsesquare you will find Pianobar Maxim.
There are LOADS of bars and clubs in the square which is why I have lead you here last. This is where our tour of the best bars in Amsterdam ends but now you’re here, you have the chance to continue your bar crawl your own way in the heart of the City.
Pianobar Maxim has made in onto the list because of the pure joy I get every time I come here.
It has a live band playing every evening and they are really good at what they do! I guarantee you will be singing away to all the tunes and they really get the crowd going. They even get you involved in the act if you’re up for it!
Great hospitality and good drinks prices too. This bar always puts me in a good mood and sets me up to go to one of the many clubs in the Square.
It is a classy jazz themed bar that never fails to disappoint! Even if you are just planning to go in for one drink……I bet you end up staying for more and find yourself joining into a group rendition of ‘New York, New York’
Now this is not technically on the list of the Best Bars in Amsterdam but I couldn’t leave without a special mention as it is my very favourite place to go to in Amsterdam
Heineken Experience
Stadhouderskade 78, Amsterdam 1072 AE
Pre book tickets for fast track entry and save the precious drinking time instead of standing in line to buy your ticket!
I LOVE this place! It really is…as it say…an experience!
Start with a tour of the building and learn about the history of Heineken and how it was made and still being produced today.
Stop for a quick tasting session and down as many beers as you can possibly get your hands on in this time! You are given a wrist band with pop out rings to use as beer token but get resourceful people, you are going to need to be tipsy for the next part.
After you have been really mature and had your history lesson and done some really grown up beer tasting its time for the fun part!
You will find yourself in room after room of interactive Heineken experience.
Become a DJ,
Sing a Dutch song whilst riding a bike and being recorded,
Play some Rugby,
Play some Football,
Dance.
Its all there to get stuck in to. Its so fun and I am not doing it justice with my description. You really just need to go and experience it for yourself.
The last part experience leads you to an uber cool bar/club where you can sit down (or dance) and use the remainder of your Heineken tokens to get a good amount of tipsy before going off to explore what else the City has to offer.
If you like Beer, you will LOVE this! As I said this is my favourite place to go and never gets boring (probably because of all the free drinks!) and I make sure I visit whenever I come to Amsterdam.
So there you have it! A small snippet of some of the best bars in Amsterdam. As I said there are many more but these are my ultimate faorites and a great place to start if you have never expereinced the City before.
Check back regularly as no doubt this list is going to get longer the more I think about i, but you have something to get your teeth into with these spots so enjoy!
If you enjoyed this post you can also check out my post under My Adventures
Feel free to comment below or ask any questions and I will get back to you
Thanks for reading!
Enjoy Amsterdam.
Emma x
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Thank you so much for your kind words! I create all content myself along with the site design so it’s lovely to have such great feedback!