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The best bars in Amsterdam

The best bars in Amsterdam for a drink, from brown cafés and canal-side terraces to rooftops with a view. We rank on atmosphere, drinks quality and how welcome you feel walking in alone — a practical shortlist for visitors and locals looking for one reliable spot tonight.

  1. Nightlife · grachtengordel

    Proeflokaal Arendsnest

    A canal-side tasting house on the Herengracht pouring only Dutch beers.

    4.7(4,700)

    52 taps, all Dutch — the definitive national beer survey, canal-side.

    How to get there

    TaxiTransitWalkBike

  2. Nightlife

    In De Wildeman

    A historic beer café near the Nieuwendijk with a vast rotating tap list.

    4.7(2,455)

    A monument-listed tasting room for rare beers; no music, all conversation.

    How to get there

    TaxiTransitWalkBike
  3. Café Gollem

    Nightlife · spui

    Café Gollem

    A snug specialist beer café near the Spui with a huge selection.

    4.7(1,930)

    The Belgian-beer pioneer — 200 bottles deep since 1974.

    How to get there

    TaxiTransitWalkBike

  4. Nightlife · centrum

    Hannekes Boom

    A rustic, much-loved waterfront bar near Centraal — reclaimed timber, a canal-side terrace, drinks, food and live music.

    4.3(3,776)

    Driftwood terrace on the water — summer's default meeting point.

    How to get there

    TaxiTransitWalkBike
  5. Soundgarden

    Nightlife · jordaan

    Soundgarden

    A grungy dive bar with cheap beer, pool and a canal-side garden out back.

    4.5(2,268)

    The rock dive with the secret canal garden out back.

    How to get there

    TaxiTransitWalkBike

  6. Nightlife · noord

    Pllek

    A laid-back bar and restaurant on the NDSM wharf in Noord, built from shipping containers — with an artificial beach right on the IJ.

    4.4(9,494)

    Beach bar, sunset machine and Noord's calling card.

    How to get there

    TaxiTransitWalkBike