Club Birdies

My friend Anouk turned 30 last year and she did not want a fancy dinner. She did not want a bar. She wanted to play mini golf and eat good food, and she wanted to do both in the same place. That place was Club Birdies, and by the end of the night everyone at the party agreed it was the best birthday idea she had ever had. Including Anouk, who won the golf tournament she organized among her own guests.

Club Birdies is an indoor mini golf concept with a restaurant attached. I know that sounds like it could go either way — most "activity plus food" places do one thing well and the other badly. Birdies does both. The golf courses are creative and well-designed, with themed holes that are genuinely fun to play. The food is not an afterthought — they have a real kitchen doing shareable plates, burgers, and other dishes that you would happily eat even if the golf did not exist.

The setup works like this: you book a round of golf online, you show up, you play, and then you eat and drink. Or you eat and drink first and then play. Or you just come for the food and skip the golf entirely. It is flexible. Anouk's group did drinks first, then golf, then more drinks and food. It took about three hours and nobody checked the time once.

The golf itself is not competitive-level mini golf. It is playful, slightly silly, and designed to make you laugh. There are obstacles, creative holes, and enough challenge to keep it interesting without making anyone frustrated. My friend who is aggressively competitive at everything somehow managed to relax and just have fun, which I consider Birdies' greatest achievement.

Pricing: a round of golf is around 13-15 euros per person. Food and drinks are separate and priced like a normal Amsterdam restaurant — expect to spend 15-25 euros on food per person depending on what you order. For a full evening of golf plus dinner plus drinks, you are looking at around 50-60 euros total, which for Amsterdam entertainment is reasonable.

The cocktail menu is solid. They do themed cocktails that are colorful and Instagram-friendly without being terrible. My friend Sara ordered something bright pink that she expected to hate and then ordered another one. The beer selection is good too if cocktails are not your thing.

This is ideal for three types of visits. Group events: birthday parties, team outings, bachelor and bachelorette parties. Birdies handles groups well and the golf gives everyone something to do besides awkward small talk. Date nights: it is way more fun than dinner and a movie, and you learn a lot about someone by how they handle a mini golf loss. And rainy days: when the weather kills your outdoor plans, Birdies is a solid indoor activity that fills a few hours.

Booking is recommended, especially for weekend evenings and groups. Walk-in might work on a quiet weekday but I would not risk it for a group. Check their website for time slots.

One thing to be honest about: this is not a hidden local secret. It is a concept that appeals to everyone and it markets itself well. You will see tourist groups here. But the food is genuinely good, the golf is genuinely fun, and the atmosphere works. Anouk has already booked it for her 31st. That tells you everything.