Amsterdam Clubbing Gude - Bars Clubs & Nightlife In Amsterdam

Amsterdam Clubbing Scene - Bars Clubs Nightlife

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Amsterdam Clubbing

(For info on Clubbing in other cities in Europe visit our European Clubbing Page)

Amsterdam has always had a vibrant nightlife catering for people with broad tastes in music and other night time activities. In the eighties and nineties it's 'anything goes' reputation undoubtedly made it the clubbing centre of mainland Europe but that status is at best shared with Prague and Belgrade. Nowdays it has become a little too commercial- less diverse musically and far more formal than in the past. Dress codes are generally strict erring on the designer/ fashionable classy side and the doorman / security personnel are less tolerant of excitable behaviour. Most of the hardcore clubs can found in the canal area in or around Rembrandtplein.

General Guidance

Under Dutch law bar staff are not allowed to sell spirits to anyone under 18 or beers to anyone under 16. Beers in bars cost up to 3€ but much more in clubs.

Clubs have a minium age of 18. A few clubs have a minimum age of 21. Proof of age may required at any club. The dress code is Dutch clubs is fairly strict - sportswear and trainers are rarely acceptable and you should check the dress code of any venue you intend to go to in advance.

Doorman are expected to maintain a balance in the clientiele they admit to a club. Thus if there are many more men in a club than women they may refuse a group of single men until there more girls through the door. Wherever possible get on the clubs guest list in advance especially on Thursday - Saturday nights.

Anyone of either sex who appears to be drunk will not get in. Body searches are the norm and anyone who attempts to take a weapon or item that could be used as a weapon maybe detained and subsequently arrested.

The Paradiso at Weteringschans 6-8 Telephone 626 4521 is recognised as one of Amsterdams leading club venues. It puts on live shows in the first part of the evening featuring artists from all the world shows - Justin Timberlake has headlined here - immediately followed by DJ led club nights. The genre ranges from dance hip hop and rock to r&b and soul. Club opens Wednesday - Sunday usually at 7pm. Closes 4am except Friday and Saturday when its open an hour later. See website for programme and admission charges. Editorial Comment. Membership here is compulsory (€3 for a month minimum) and advance tickets sales apply for some nights. Often rammed.

Open nightly TWSTD at Weteringschans 157 Telephone 320 7030 is a club which plays hip hop, house and techno has a reputation for inviting establshed DJ's from all over Europe to host proceedings. Club Opens from 6pm-1am Sunday through to Thursday & from ; 6pm-3am Friday and Saturday. Admission Free. website for detailed programme. Editorial Comment Some people and not just locals say this is the club!

Melkweg at Lijnbaansgracht 234A Telephone 531 8181 has earned itself a reputation across Holland for playing a range of good music including dance hip hop jazz rock and r&b and soul. It's Techno parties are becoming legendary. Membership is a condition of admission though this only €3 for one month. Entry charges depend on type of night but generally are between €10 and €30. Check website for details and opening times. Editorial Comment. Serious club with very knowledgable DJ's.

Probably the biggest club in Amsterdam (was a theatre in it's previous life) is Escape at Rembrandtplein 11 Telephone 622 1111. Very comfortable spacious club, which can accomodate nearly 2000 guest. Extremely popular with young Amsterdam Clubbers who queue to get in even on Sundays. The music is dance mainstream. The club opens at 11pm and closes 4am Thursday & Sunday - 5am Friday and Saturday Entry charges vary - up to €20.website Editorial comment. Casual dress is advisale here - (T shirt and trainers). Tourists in gangs who are loud and drunk will not get in.

Tourists can be confident of a warm welcome from Studio 80 at Rembrandtplein 17 Telephone 521 8333. Acid deep electronic hip hop and techno is played here and the atmosphere is enhanced by the fact the admission is usually below €10 and occasionally free. Club opens from 11pm - 5am Friday and Saturday, 10pm - 4am Wednesday Thursday & Sunday. See website (Dutch only) for programme. Editorial Comment Club well respected by in many quarters of the business.

Even by liberal Dutch standards Rokerij at Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 41 Telephone 622 9442 is something completely different. Offerings here would satisfy Bob Marley John Lennon and then there is the music! - dance underground and psychedelic trance events. from all over the world. Check website for programme. Editorial Comment The word 'alternative' comes to mind here as it is a little wayout by many people's standards but it is also classical and cultural and far from being tacky.

Dansen bij Jansen at Handboogstraat 11-13 ( in the old centre) Telephone 620 1779 is a gift from heaven if you have student id. Dance hip hop and rock here plus the bliss of very cheap beer and entry charges usually under €5! Club opens seven days a week at 10pm. Close 4am Sunday to Thursday and 5am Friday and Saturday. website Editorial Comment Well respected club in Amsterdams student community as its a decent night out if your on a budget but you must have the id and homemade ones are not accepted.

A recent addition to Amsterdams nightlife is Flexbar at Pazzanistraat 1 All enquries and programme via website This club owes its rapidly growing following to the behind scences input of several influences such as Wannabeastar and Rednose Distrikt. Dance and hip hop are the order of the nights. Club nights are Thursday to Sunday opening at 10pm. Closing at 4am on Thursday and Sunday - 5am on Friday and Saturday. Entry up to €10 Editorial Comment This one is definetly here to stay.

Winston International at Warmoesstraat 125-129 Telephone 623 1380 offering live bands and before handing over to DJ's afterwards. One of the few clubs in Amsterdam that will play Ska it also plays r&b hip hop and rock and soul. Club opens nightly at 9pm and close at 3am Sunday to Thursday and 4am Friday & Saturdays. Entry up to €10. See website for programme. Editorial Comment Friendly club popular with locals good value

Live Gigs Venue In The Summer

Every summer the Ajax Amsterdam Football Stadium takes on a temporay iidentity as the Amsterdam Arena hosting live gigs by international mega-stars and occasionally raves. Check website for programme and ticket prices. Address ArenA Boulevard 1 Nearest metro station: Bijlmer

Gay Clubs in Amsterdam

A safe bet is Exit at Reguliersdwarsstraat 42 Telephone 625 8788 which welcome gays of both genders though its predominantly male. There is a women only night at least once a month. The club has several levels each playing a different type of music. Funk house r&b and soul are popular here. Club nights are Thursday - Sun opening at 11pm. Closing time is 5am Friday and Saturday and 4am other nights. Price wise there is usually no entry charge on Thursday and on other nights its below €10. website Editorial Comment Popular with locals and reportedly a good place for couples or singles. Drinks a little pricey but not outrageous.

Studio 80 (see above) has gay & lesbian friendly nights on Wednesdays

De Trut at Bilderdijkstraat 165, (Oud West) Telephone 612 3524 is one of Amsterdams oldest Gay & Lesbian clubs. Opens on Sundays only from 11pm - 4am. Entry is normally a couple of euros and the drinks are similarly priced. Editorial Comment Extremely busy - after midnight queues to get in are common.

Bars In Amsterdam

One of the challenges in Amsterdam when walking up the street is to workout what is a cafe, bar or restaurant as many of these numerous establishnents will serve at least two of these definitions. Anyway here are a couple worth noting.

Kobalt at Singel 2 close to Amsterdam's Centraal Station Telephone 320 1559 - opens daily at the obscene hour of 8am - closing at at 1am Sunday through to Thursday and 3am Friday and Saturday. Serves food all day dinner in the evenings and every drink imaginable. Has DJ's on Friday nights and live Jazz on Sunday afternoons. website.

The Amstelhaven at Mauritskade 1 in the east area is a fashionable bar especially popular in the summer with it open air tables and sofas that overlook the adjacent canal. Appeals to those with the capacity to pose or wish to impress. Food is authentic Dutch cuisine and well prepared. Bar opens at 4pm daily except Sunday. Closes at 1am Monday - Thursday & 3am Friday and Saturday. Editorial Comment Impressive but take your credit card with you.

De Hogesluis at Sarphatistraat 23 in the plantage area Telephone 624 1521 is an extremely comfortable lavishly decorated bar / restaurant that overlooks the river. The restaurant has obvious appeal to those on business looking to entertain. The food is excellent - the service good but It is not cheap. The bar is equally attractive but frequented by locals and reasonably priced.Open daily.From around 11am until 1am website Editorial Comment Fortunately neither aspect of this establishment is populated by customers or staff who think they are royalty.

Late Pubs & Bars In Amsterdam

Amsterdam is awash with pubs and bars and some seem to be open day and night One that has been there for years and always lively is Bar Bolero Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 39 1017NG Amsterdam Tel: 0206 271780. It offers a broad range of music - R & B Latin and music back to the eighties. It is popular with the locals and has a good relaxed ambience.Open from 22.00 - 05.00am Thursday - Sunday.

More famous and expensive but worth the investment is Bourbon Street Blues Club at Bourbon Street Leidsekruisstraat 6-8 / 1017rh Amsterdam. Tel: (+31) (0)20-6233440 famous for its live music, spotting new talent. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights there are usually jamming session with numerous artists playing as many instruments. Occasionally better known artists such as Sting The Rolling Stones and Herman Brood. Unique sometiomes spectacular!.

Irish Pubs In Amsterdam

Amsterdam has more than its fair share of Irish Pubs, but the Mulligans Irish Music Bar near the river Amstel. seems to attract weirdos from all over the world especially writers and philosphers.

It also appeals to late risers as it does not open to 16.00 weekdays and closes at 1am weekdays. It opens a little earlier at weekends and closes around 3am. So civil! Oh and for info on the music see the website.