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Beyond the smoke and red-lighted windows, Amsterdam is a city teeming with music, dance, theater, and art, which has given it the epithet "nightlife capital of the world." Think outside the box—even outside the Grachtengordel—and you'll be amazed at what this city that (almost) never sleeps has to offer. Many people know that Th
Beyond the smoke and red-lighted windows, Amsterdam is a city teeming with music, dance, theater, and art, which has given it the epithet "nightlife capital of the world." Think outside the box—even outside the Grachtengordel—and you'll be amazed at what this city that
Beyond the smoke and red-lighted windows, Amsterdam is a city teeming with music, dance, theater, and art, which has giv
Beyond the smoke and red-lighted windows, Amsterdam is a city teeming with music, dance, theater, and art, which has given it the epithet "nightlife capital of the world." Think outside the box—even outside the Grachtengordel—and you'll be amazed at what this city that (almost) never sleeps has to offer.
Many people know that The Night Watch is the name of Rembrandt’s most famous painting, but not everyone remembers that, back in the early 2000s, it was also the nickname of a bunch of "Night Mayors." This group of cultural leaders saw their role as fighters against the frumpiness that had cast a shadow over Amsterdam’s night scene since the city fathers cleared away the "squats"—the deserted buildings that were the settings for city’s wildest nighttime events and raves. Now, 15 years later, Amsterdam has happily reclaimed its reputation as a true nightlife capital. The city is a must-stop on the international DJ circuit, and new pop-up clubs and dance venues, plus a plethora of homegrown festivals, keep all walks of life shaking until the wee hours of the morning. The city is rich with inspired folk who are willing to organize a video-arts festival in a cruise-ship terminal, a gentle Bach recital on a canal, an arts festival in an abandoned factory, a house party in a football stadium, or some heart-stopping spectacle in a park. So get ready to savor Amsterdam’s giant cultural wallop through its numerous venues—from former churches and industrial monuments to the acoustical supremacy of the legendary hall of the Concertgebouw.
The speakeasy-esque HPS is a properly indie cocktail mecca whose infamous rum-based concoction, "The Walking Dead," has indeed left many locals limping away. Cocktails are always spendy in Amsterdam, but here high prices are compensated for by almost familial service standards.
Rapenburg 18, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1011 TX, Netherlands
Located within the University of Amsterdam's city campus, this hidden gem of a café housed in a former diamond-cutting factory has been converted into a warm modern space with big windows and a huge canalside terrace. Think cheap and cheerful: affordably priced homemade soups, sandwiches, and beverages satisfy not only the multitude of students but the older crowd, too. During the academic year, Friday nights are host to the Easylaughs comedy troupe's English-language improv show.
Nieuwe Achtergracht 170, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1018 WV, Netherlands
The neighborhood's newest culinary addition has an old-world feel with a back terrace practically in Artis zoo, from which it leases its historic Art Nouveau home. A stunning, capacious hall catering to a more mature crowd, the bar offers an ample selection of wine by the glass, including alcohol-free prosecco.
Plantage Kerklaan 36, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1018CZ, Netherlands
The history of this traditional "brown café" can be traced back to 1832, and thankfully the bar has not lost its prewar charm to prefab fittings or hip design. In fact, the clock behind the bar runs backward, so you can happily lose all sense of time. The owners pride themselves on reasonable prices and a friendly atmosphere. Go Dutch and order an uitsmijter (fried eggs with cheese, ham or bacon on sliced bread): according to local lore it was once served to café patrons just before closing time as one for the road, which is perhaps why its name translates as "bouncer." Nowadays, you'll also find it on breakfast and lunch menus.
Plantage Middenlaan 22, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1018 DE, Netherlands
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