It is time to step away from the hotel bar and explore Amsterdam’s nightlife. Dance late into the night to international DJs, sip a beer in a classic brown café or join a guided pub crawl. Whether you prefer R&B, hip hop, house, techno or trance, there is something for every taste in Amsterdam. With areas such as Leidseplein, Rembrandt Square and the Red Light District, the city has several nightlife hubs where bars, clubs and cafés sit close together. On this page you will find local tips, practical information and trusted tours that help you choose where to go for a relaxed drink, a night out or an afternoon activity!
Discover the best cocktail bars in Amsterdam
Experience Amsterdam nightlife with local tips
Leidseplein
The Leidseplein area is one of the main nightlife districts in Amsterdam. You will find many restaurants and cafés where you can eat or have a drink in the evening. On warm days the terraces are full and there are often street performers. For culture you are also in the right place. The Stadsschouwburg and DeLaMar theatre attract full houses and Pathé cinemas show films every day. The well known music venues Paradiso and Melkweg are both within walking distance. Leidseplein is popular with both locals and visitors and is a good starting point for a night out. On and around the square you will find many bars and clubs with music ranging from hip hop and Dutch singers to EDM and guilty pleasures.
Discover the best bars and clubs at Leidseplein
Pub crawl at Leidseplein
Because there are so many places around Leidseplein, it can be difficult to decide where to spend your night.
A pub crawl is an easy way to discover several bars and at least one club in one go, especially if it is your
first time in Amsterdam. Most organised crawls around Leidseplein combine a few bars on and around the square
with a larger club at the end of the night.
Typical programmes start in a central bar in the area, where you often get around 30 minutes of unlimited shots.
After that, the hosts guide you to several other venues. At each stop you receive at least one free shot or drink
and there are drink deals you can use for the rest of the evening. By the end of the crawl you have a clear
impression of the nightlife around Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.
Exact details such as the meeting point, number of bars and what is included can change per season or provider,
so always check the latest information on the booking page before you buy your ticket. In general you should bring
a valid ID, wear closed shoes and avoid very casual outfits if you want to be sure you can enter all venues.
House of Bols
If you enjoy cocktails and want to know more about what is in your glass, a visit to House of Bols is a good option. During the Cocktail and Jenever Experience you learn more about Lucas Bols, one of the oldest spirit brands in the world. The experience covers the history of the brand as well as the flavours behind the different liqueurs and genever.
In the Hall of Taste you can see a wide range of Bols liqueurs and in the Ingredient Room you learn about the main
ingredients of genever. In the Mirror Bar you watch a bartender prepare your cocktail and you can also mix your own.
House of Bols is located on Museumplein, opposite the Van Gogh Museum. From Leidseplein you can reach it easily by tram. An online ticket includes entrance, an audio guide in several languages and one cocktail. You can walk through the experience at your own pace and there is a shop where you can buy Bols products or order a second cocktail for an extra fee.
Rembrandtplein
Together with Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein is one of the busiest nightlife areas in Amsterdam. The square is named after the painter Rembrandt van Rijn. In the 1930s hotels and cafés opened here and it became a meeting place for artists and performers. Today you will find many clubs, bars, restaurants and hotels. Terraces are busy during the day and in the evening the square turns into a lively nightlife hub with music for different tastes, from hip hop and house to pop and indie.
More information about Rembrandtplein here
Icebar Amsterdam
Near Rembrandtplein you can visit Icebar Amsterdam, a themed bar made from blocks of ice. Inside you drink from ice glasses, sit on a frozen bench and look at illuminated ice sculptures while music plays in the background. To keep the bar cold, the temperature is around minus ten degrees Celsius.
You do not need special clothing of your own, but it is better not to arrive in summer outfits. At the entrance you receive a warm jacket and gloves so you can enjoy your drinks comfortably. A visit to the Icebar is a short, fun activity that fits well at the start of a night out around Rembrandtplein.
The Icebar is just around the corner from Rembrandtplein. With an online ticket you choose a time slot and get
entrance to the bar, a welcome drink in the warm area, two drinks in the ice room and use of a jacket and gloves.
The Icebar is only open to visitors aged 18 or over and you are asked to arrive a little before your time slot
so you can check in calmly.
The Red Light District
For many visitors, the Red Light District is one of the most well known areas in Amsterdam. It is also one of the oldest parts of the city. The narrow streets, canals and traditional canal houses make it an interesting place for a walk, especially in the evening when the lights reflect on the water. Besides the windows the area has many bars, cafés and restaurants. You can sing in a karaoke bar, sit in a small pub with a local beer or visit a club.
Pub crawl in the Red Light District
If you do not know the area well it can be hard to pick the right spots. A pub crawl through the Red Light District
helps you sample several bars and a nightclub in one night, together with a guide and a mixed international group.
Most crawls visit around four bars and one club in the heart of the neighbourhood.
The night usually starts in a central bar, where you get about 30 minutes of unlimited vodka shots. After that the
hosts lead you to the next venues. At each stop you receive a free shot and there are drink specials you can use for
the rest of the evening. After the crawl you can return to your favourite bar or stay in the final club.
Details such as the exact meeting point, start time and included drinks differ slightly per organiser. Always check
the current description on the booking page, pay attention to dress code rules and bring a valid ID. Most bars do
not accept flip flops, sportswear or very casual shorts in the evening.
Beer tasting at Delirium Café
Delirium Café is a good choice if you want a relaxed evening with a group and enjoy beer. The bar has a very large
selection, with more than 500 different beers on the menu. During a beer tasting you typically try three speciality
beers in 15 cl glasses, served with matching snacks such as bitterballen, wraps, cheese bites and nuts.
The bartender explains more about the beers you taste and you can see where they come from on a large map on the wall. Delirium also serves its own house beers. The café is located near the IJtunnel, close to Amsterdam Central Station and within walking distance of the Red Light District.
A standard beer tasting often includes three beers and three small snacks. The activity is usually offered for
groups of at least eight people and works well as a company outing or an evening activity with friends.
Always check the latest package details when you book.
Ready to plan your Amsterdam night out
Use these local tips, check opening times and book your tickets in advance where needed. That way you spend less time searching on the night itself and more time enjoying Amsterdam’s nightlife.