The Best Bars in Amsterdam (According to My Friends)

I polled my friend group last month. The question: "If you could only take a visitor to three bars in Amsterdam, which ones?" The answers were surprisingly consistent. Here are the ones that came up the most, plus a few of my personal picks.

The Brown Cafes

If you have not been to a brown cafe, you have not really been to Amsterdam. These are old-school Dutch pubs with dark wood, low ceilings, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay for hours.

Cafe Papeneiland — My coworker Thomas has been drinking his Friday beer here for years. It is the oldest brown cafe in Amsterdam (since 1642) and the apple pie is famous for a reason. Get a canal-side table if you can.

Cafe 't Smalle — My friend Emma took her parents here and they still talk about it. Built in 1786 as a jenever distillery, and the canal terrace is one of the prettiest spots in the Jordaan.

Brown cafes are where you go for the vibe, not the cocktail menu. Order a biertje (beer) or a borrel (jenever with snacks). Do not ask for a cocktail menu. Just trust the process.

Cocktail Bars

Bar Oldenhof — This was the number one answer in my friend poll. My neighbor took me here for my birthday and I genuinely did not want to leave. It feels like drinking cocktails in a 19th-century living room. The bartenders actually know what they are doing.

Tales & Spirits — A speakeasy behind an unmarked door on Lijnbaansgracht. My coworker Lotte found it by accident and now acts like she discovered it. The cocktails are some of the best in the city. Tell them what flavors you like and they will make something perfect.

Breweries and Taprooms

Brouwerij 't IJ — My friend Sara brings every single visitor here. A brewery in a windmill next to a bathhouse. The IJwit is my go-to. Sit outside on a sunny afternoon and you will understand why people love this city.

Oedipus Brewery — In Noord, which means fewer tourists and more locals. My friend Marco swears they make the best IPA in the Netherlands. The outdoor terrace is great in summer.

Rooftops and Terraces

Skylounge — On top of the DoubleTree near Centraal. My coworker had her birthday drinks here and the panoramic sunset view is legitimately breathtaking. Go before 8 PM to avoid the crowds.

Waterkant — Right on the water in Centrum. Perfect for summer evenings when you want cocktails and a view without paying rooftop prices. My roommate considers this her summer office.

Pllek — A beach bar made of shipping containers on the north side of the IJ. Take the free ferry, grab a beer, sit on the artificial beach. My neighbor calls it the most Amsterdam-outside-Amsterdam experience.

Hannekes Boom — Behind Centraal Station on the water. It looks like a treehouse crossed with a beach bar. My friend Daan comes here after work almost every Friday in summer.

Late Night

Shelter — In the basement of the A'DAM Tower. Techno, dark, and the kind of club that does not care about your outfit. My neighbor goes here at 2 AM and comes back at noon.

Club NYX — Queer-friendly and welcoming to literally everyone. Multiple floors, each with a different vibe. My coworker Nina says it is the most inclusive night out in Amsterdam.

My Rules for Drinking in Amsterdam

1. Skip Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein unless you specifically want tourist bars
2. Brown cafes close around 1 AM, clubs open around midnight — plan your evening accordingly
3. Tip at the bar: round up or leave a euro. Not expected but appreciated
4. Beer is the default drink. Ordering a Heineken in a craft beer bar will get you judged (I have seen it happen)
5. Terraces are everything in summer. If the sun is out and a terrace is available, sit outside. It is the law (not really, but kind of)

These are the places my friends and I actually go to. No sponsored lists, no "top 10 bars you MUST visit" nonsense. Just the spots where you will find us on any given Friday night.