We will be in Amsterdam for New Year's and looking for a party. Any suggestions?

I'm not an Amsterdammer but I can tell you that various cafés will have parties, though you may need a ticket for some. The Dam is always heaving, as will other squares in the city. Places like Melkweg and Paradiso probably have something on too but you will need a ticket for them. Have a look at their websites to see what if anything they have on.
Fireworks are let off throughout the city at midnight - people let off their own - it is like WW3. The air the next day is generally not very good.
Public transport stops at about 8 pm and doesn't restart until the following morning, so you will need to walk to wherever you want to go.

Amsterdamned's busiest season of the year i've been told is the week between Xmas and NYear's - thousands of folks descend on the city from all around Europe - the whole city is a party - in addition to the type of parties hetismij details.

If you do not have a hotel booked you may be too late.

We have a hotel. Now we are looking for a party. Pardiso doesnt show that they have anything going on, and Melkweg is not showing anything past Nov. 18? Will the bars be open until at least midnight? Our hotel is the Holiday Inn Amsterdam, not exactly in the center. We got it thru priceline. We can make do, I guess. But you mention that public transport will be closed by 8 pm? darn!

I usually just leave the city and take a trip somewhere else

I know the Melkweg is having a (good) party. Info is on this next link. It's in dutch but I think you'll be able to make out some of the names and what is going on. If not let me know and I'll translate the basics for you.

http://www.melkweg.nl/artikelpagina....daitemid=8705#

Ticket sale probably has already started. Info on general ticket sale here (in english)

http://www.melkweg.nl/artikelpagina....7?infoid=35430

Public transport will stop running on nye but you can always take a cab.

If you are looking for a party I would make sure you get tickets for something in advance. You might be able to find a bar you can get into on the night itself but you will have to look hard and these bars will not have the best of parties.

I have had the pleasure of having been Amsterdam on two New Year Eves. both were AMAZING. I have never seen so many fireworks going off in one place in my life, and I am a fireworks freak!

In the States, 4th of July fireworks go off in set places where a crowd can watch from a distance in safety. This happens when it is dark enough, and lasts for about 20 minutes.

In Amsterdam, and presumably all over Holland, ALL of the fireworks go off exactly at midnight. Everyone seems to set off their own, and the streets are literally filled with fire and sparks. Looked horribly dangerous to me, as young men charged up and down the streets amid showers of colored flame. I guess, since the houses are stone, the fire danger is minimal.

Simply amazing!

Unless you really want an organised party just enjoy the scene on the streets. The cafés will be open long after midnight (they always are!) but they will be crowded. Wander around the different squares and see what appeals.
Fireworks are set of all over Holland on the stroke of midnight, though they are also let off during the day - it is legal to set them off from 10 am on 31 December to 2 pm on 1st January. It is the only time of year when non organised fireworks are legal here so everyone goes bananas with them. Whether the credit crunch will have an effect this year I don't know but millions of Euros go up in smoke every New Year.
Me, I hate them and would love to get away from the day long bang bang of bangers (fire crackers) being let off by the neighbourhood teenagers. I like the midnight chaos - it's the all day letting them off which gets me, and my dogs, down.

Spoil sport

Yep that's me, an old fogey spoil sport. Trust me Pal, if you have fire crackers going off outside you house every 30 seconds from the stroke of 10 am until the wee small hours you too would be a screaming wreck by the end of it all.
The worst of it all is that whilst my dogs aren't scared of fireworks, and will happily go outside at midnight in the middle of the chaos, their dogs (three of them) spend the entire day huddled in the tiny downstairs loo, absolutely scared stiff. So much for caring for their animals

Hi Vakantie, thanks so much for the info on Melkweg. But yeh, I would really need you to translate. Could you tell me what is going on NYE and how much are the tickets, and other basic info, like what time and location? Thanks!

The Melkweg site is down at the moment. Someone will translate it for you soon, either Vakantie or me.

hetismij - i was kidding and you hopefully know that.

Some Halloweens ago kids lighting fireworks off scared by meighbor's dog who was inside and the dog would not want to go outside for days there after.

Pal I do know that. I at least understand you humour, unlike some around here

The Melkweg was expanding last winter when i was there - looked like substantive works going on - could it effect events?

Anyway this would be a rather youthful crowd i think normally but perhaps not on New Year's Eve

OK the iste is back -
"just like every year Melkweg has a big new Years party - from 10pm until 6 am you can dance chill, drink and party at Melkweg.

In the MAX Crossfader/Dance Arena DJ's Dab & Robin S will be playing everything that is danceable in pop, rock and dance. The oud zaal has a more Latin tint with DJs Tommi and Juan. There are two live bands, and in the cinema the dance film Rize van David LaChapelle will be shown. Dance in silence in the theatre, or go to the disco in the Theehuis, Recover in the Café where you can pseak in your own New Years wish and can watch Angels in the gallery.

live: Amsterdam Klezmer Band / The Phantom Four
Comedy Explosion met Wilko Terwijn, Neville Raven en Martijn Koning
dj's: Dab / Robin S / Tommi / Juan
cinema: Rize van David MaChapelle (84 min)
Also: Stille Disco, Foute Disco, Jansen met Fortuin & a room full of angels"

Hope that helps. It is aimed at a pretty young audience.

In the silent disco everyone where headphones and listens to the music that way. Worth looking at even if you don't take part.