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Amsterdam Nightlife: Top 15 Bars & Nightclubs

Amsterdam Nightlife: Top 15 Bars & Nightclubs

Updated on Sep. 19, 2019 by

This is my ultimate Amsterdam nightlife guide featuring the Top 15 bars & nightclubs which I carefully selected including places such as TonTon Club, Wynand Fockink, Club NYX, Kopstootbar, Jimmy Woo, Paradiso and the famous Amsterdam Pub Crawl.

Tips & Advice
  • Why: #1 Party capital of Europe
  • When: June, July & August
  • Last Call: None, bars stay open till 5am, certain clubs are 24hrs.
  • Accommodation: Airbnb ($46 OFF) in the Rembrandtplein or Leidseplein areas.
  • Best Amsterdam Bar: Amsterdam Pub Crawl + FREE Shots (Friday night)
  • Best Amsterdam Nightclub: Paradiso (Saturday night)
  •  
  • Book Now: Amsterdam Pub Crawl adventure for just $25 USD  Book you Taipei Pub Crawl adventure

the Amsterdam party crew in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NetherlandsHannekes Boom Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsmaking new friends at Wynand Fockink jenever bar Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandstaste room Wynand Fockink in a hidden alleyway in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlands

Amsterdam is a small town but has many great bars and night clubs neatly located in close proximity of each other. I recommend you start your evening with a few drinks at Hannekes Boom located at the Amsterdam waterfront after drop by Amsterdam's oldest alcohol tasting chamber Wynand Fockink to try traditional Dutch Jenever from which modern Gin originated and drop by TonTon Club Center for a great meetup place to play classic arcade games. The map below will give you an idea where you should book your Airbnb for accomodation close to the places of interest.

Places

  • 1. Hannekes Boom

    Excellent first stop for an early evening drink and admire the waterfront of Amsterdam. (map)

  • 2. TonTon Club Center

    Near the Damrak and Red Light District you'll find this awesome social arcade loaded with classic video games and a large bar. (map)

  • 3. Wynand Fockink

    The oldest alcohol tasting chamber in Amsterdam from 1600, try the traditional Dutch alcohol Jenever. (map)

  • 4. Jantjesverjaardag

    A popular night clubs with a young crowd, Dutch language songs and students. (map)

  • 5. AIR Amsterdam

    The best techno club in Amsterdam with often special events and popular techno DJ's. (map)

  • 6. Escape

    One of the oldest and hottest night clubs in Amsterdam with a massive dance floor and famous DJ's. (map)

  • 7. Club NYX

    A more seclusive night club with a local crowd and the wacky toilet bar on the 3rd floor. (map)

  • 8. NJOY

    Excellent cocktail bar near Leidseplein but be aware they have a strict door policy, come sober and well dressed. (map)

  • 9. Kopstootbar

    One of the most fun bars in Amsterdam with many university students and great house music. (map)

  • 10. Palladium

    An upscale lounge with an older crowd, expensive cocktails and suits. You may even run into Dutch celebrities! (map)

  • 11. Jimmy Woo

    Asian themed Jimmy Woo is a popular hiphop and R&B night club at Leidseplein. (map)

  • 12. Paradiso

    Located in an old church building with a massive dance floor, international crowd and fantastic DJ's (map)

  • 13. Melkweg

    Well known for its many rooms, special events and concerts. Make sure to check the event guide for the Milkyway! (map)

  • 14. Chicago Social Club

    A laid back club with lounge & house music and a hipster kind of vibe. (map)

  • 15. The Waterhole

    Great pub to end your evening, the Water Hole has live rock music, billiards and a older local crowd. (map)

  • 16. BONUS: WesterUnie

    One of the best locations in Amsterdam for techno-lovers. Dynamic, industrial-style nightspot with house & techno music, plus a laid-back restaurant for eats. This is also the location of the famous Awakenings techno festival, one of the best events in Amsterdam! (map)

  • 17. BONUS: De School

    Insane 24-hour complex that has dance parties, live music, a high-end eats + even a gym, cafe & art exhibits. This place is recommended by many locals in Amsterdam, it is a bit on the west-end but worth the journey! (map)

  • 18. BONUS: Amsterdam Pub Crawl

    As a newcomer to Amsterdam, I highly recommend you join the Amsterdam Pub Crawl so you can familiarize yourself with the nightlife and latest nightclubs. Just $25 USD including free shots. 4 bars + 2 nightclubs, 6 hours of epic fun! (map)

Matt at Hannekes Boom in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsmesmerizing views from the Skylounge Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsthe gorgeous canals of Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsgorgeous canal houses - Amsterdam in all its glory! in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlands

Amsterdam is breathtaking from the canals that's why my cousin and I rented a canal boat so we could have our own private tour. We rented the canal boat from canalmotorboats.com conveniently located west of Amsterdam Central Station and rents for 40 euros per hour but make sure to reserve a few days ahead. After your motorboat adventure either explore the Amsterdam Nightlife by yourself or join an epic Amsterdam Pub Crawl for just $25 USD which allows you to familiarize yourself with the Amsterdam Nightlife very quickly.

 in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlands

Amsterdam has 2 major nightlife districts called Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein these squares are loaded with bars and night clubs. Depending on where you start, I recommend you get a delicious negroni from NJOY cocktail bar but beware, they have a strict door policy so do not show up too trashed or under dressed.

 in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsmy cousin and I prepping for a crazy night out in Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsin my younger years at the Gevulde Gaper in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandslet me introduce the Amsterdam Rejects crew at Staalmeesters bar in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsthe girls from Switzerland at The Bulldog Coffeeshop Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NetherlandsThe Waterhole Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsthe late night party crew at Het Leidseplein in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsa busy night at Jimmy Woo Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlands

At Rembrantplein you'll find many great spots like Escape night club, Jantjesverjaardag (a popular student bar), techno club Air Amsterdam, and my favorite Club NYX for their bizarre toilet bar on the top floor where you literally can take a piss behind the DJ in a urinal on the dance floor.

toilet bar top floor at CLUB NYX in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandstoilet bar top floor at CLUB NYX

If you're not into night clubs than Amsterdam has a magnitude of bars and cafes, it is what Amsterdam is best known for. Dig deep into local Dutch cafe culture in the Jordaan district at cozy places Cafe Thijsen, Gevulde Gaper, Staalmeesters and De Zotte.

dinner with my buddy Sjors at De Zotte Restaurant in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsan amazing beer, La Chouffe in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NetherlandsKopstootbar in Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NetherlandsClub No.129 in Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsmy buddy George at the Skylounge Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandswith my cousin Rosa at Club NYX Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsmeeting foreigners at Cafe Kooper in Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsyou're weird... I like you! at Club NYX in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlands

For party bars and dive bars check out No. 129, Cafe Kooper, Kopstootbar and end your night either at the Water Hole for rock music and live bands or club hard at the massive Paradiso dance floor or consider Chicago Social club for a more laid back hipster kind of vibe.

running into friends at Cafe Thijsen in Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsrunning into friends at Cafe Thijsen in Amsterdam

In conclusion, the Amsterdam nightlife is one of world's best. The fact that bars and clubs are open late, no last call, great selection of music & venues plus a chill laid back local crowd that makes Amsterdam the absolute party capital of Europe, without a doubt. Ibiza eat your heart out! So make sure to reserve you tickets for the Amsterdam Pub Crawl at Leidseplein for just $25 USD. Also, make sure to watch my Amsterdam travel guide for day time activities.

drinking Jenever's with my buddy George at Wynand Fockink - Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsshoarma time in Amsterdam with Ayran drink in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandserwten soep and bitterballen in Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NetherlandsHannekes Boom Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandsa busy night at Club NYX in Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NetherlandsClub NYX in Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlandstoilet bar at Club NYX Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NetherlandsCLUB NYX entrance in Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Netherlands

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