Amsterdam Nightlife
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal is one of the most hip areas in the city for bar and clubs. If you are interested in listening to live bands and dancing the night away, head for the Rembrantsplein-Leidseplein area. If you want seedy, then head for Walletjes and indulge. The gay and lesbian scene thrives in Amsterdam, with Reguliersdwarsstraat one of the more cutting-edge nightlife areas.
Amsterdam's clubs usually open at 2200 and, by law, must close promptly at 0400 during the week and 0500 at the weekend. The mainstream clubs prefer a smart-casual dress, with no trainers or jeans. Anything goes at the funkier, more cutting-edge venues.
Amsterdam tolerates the sale and use of soft drugs, which centres around smoking cafés or coffee shops. These places usually have a drugs 'menu', with all sorts of nefarious offerings available.
Bars
Café Kale de Derde
Current favourite watering holes of the local ‘in' crowd include the Café Kale de Derde, with its chic art deco décor (all pastels, mints and Buddhas) and smooth cocktails.
Ferdinand Bolstraat 18-20
Tel: (020) 470 0651.
Website: www.18twintig.nl
De Stil
Whisky lovers should head for De Stil, which boasts hundreds of single malt whiskies as well as old whisky barrels that serve as tables. The owners are friendly and will coach whisky virgins through the first stages of discovering whisky unaided by cola or water as a mixer.
Spuistraat 326
In De Wildeman
Beer aficionados should make a beeline for In De Wildeman, a former distillery tasting house which serves 17 beers on draught and over 200 bottled beers and from all over Europe. In de Wildeman is a unique, authentic bar without music.
Kolksteeg 3
Tel: (020) 638 2348.
Website: www.indewildeman.nl
Clubs
Escape deLux
One of the biggest clubs in the heart of Amsterdam, Escape deLux offers a diet of dance music in an intimate venue.
Amstel 80
Website: www.escape.nl
Panama
Panama caters to an older crowd in the up-and-coming Zeeburg warehouse district. Try the original Panamartini (vodka, crema ciocolata and espresso).
Oostelijke Handelskade 4
Tel: (020) 311 8686.
Website: www.panama.nl
Rain
Rain is a huge nightlife complex right at the heart of Rembrandtplein that is a hybrid bar/restaurant/nightclub, all the rage in Amsterdam at the moment. It is worth battling past the scary-looking bouncers. For music, expect a blend of global sounds, including hip-hop, funk, electro and house.
Rembrantplein 44
Tel: (020) 626 7078.
Website: www.rain-amsterdam.com
Live Music
ArenA Stadium
The ArenA Stadium stages many of the bigger international rock and pop acts.
ArenA Boulevard 1
Tel: (020) 311 1333.
Website: www.amsterdamarena.nl
Bimhuis
Jazz has always been popular in Amsterdam. Many of the jazz greats have lived in the city, including Chet Baker, who died here. Head for Bimhuis, the city's top jazz venue. The Dutch Jazz Orchestra plays on Wednesdays and musicians from all over Europe perform on the other days of the week.
Piet Heinkade 3
Tel: (020) 788 2188.
Website: www.bimhuis.nl
Melkweg
Old dame the Melkweg seems like it has been around forever but it is still going strong and is a fun place for a party and often has rock gigs and sets by alternative acts. It is a good bet at weekends for an unpretentious and fun night out.
Lijnbaansgracht 234A
Tel: (020) 531 8181.
Website: www.melkweg.nl
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