118 Best Bars in Netherlands

An intimate little shoebox of a venue shares some of its amenities with members-only artists' society De Kring. As a result, arty house parties and banging electro nights attract a hip crowd that's sometimes sprinkled with puzzled tourists in search of a dive bar.

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, there are regular open-mike nights, improv shows, and other cultural happenings here.

Back in 1984, this bar was so leather-lined it put San Francisco's Folsom Street to shame. Today it attracts a more diverse crowd, many of whom find their way to what's rumored to be one of the biggest dark rooms in Europe.

In this small sawdusted and kitsch-strewn haven, students, late night revelers and alternative types don't mind yelling over the latest in loud guitars and funky beats. They also enjoy a pool tournament every now and then.

Wine and whiskey are just what patrons of De Dokter (The Doctor) have been ordering for centuries. According to local lore it was founded by a surgeon in 1798 to serve the doctors and medical students from the nearby university. However, historians recently discovered that the city's smallest pub dates back even further (to 1706), making it one of Amsterdam's three oldest. Either way, it is still run by the Beems family many generations later. 

Also referred to as "the Pilsner Club," this unmistakably brown venue, which celebrated its quasquicentennial in 2018, seems to belong to some lost age when beer was the safest alternative to drinking water. Reinforcing the impression that time has stood still here, the bar has been run consecutively by a Teun van Veen (I, II, III, and IV) since opening.

This grand café dating back to 1898 is popular for both its intimate seating arrangements and a U-shape bar surrounding old-style wooden museum cases filled with zoological specimens. In the evening, the clientele sit pretty, high above the noisy, street-level clubs on Rembrandtplein. On weekends there are dance nights with live DJs.

De Paap has live rock and blues music most nights and a cozy, welcoming aura.

This haven for beer connoisseurs—one the best selections in town, with 180 brews—sits beside a picturesque canal between Hollands Spoor Station and the city center. Dunne Bierkade is also home to many other bars and restaurants and has been dubbed the city's "Avenue Culinaire."

Stop by this intimate canalside café for a traditional Jordaan feel. As a home to local music since 1921 singing is encouraged, and (tipsy) patrons are known to belt out a song or two.

This ultrafriendly corner bar has been around for over 125 years and is one of the best places in Utrecht to enjoy a craft beer, with around 100 on offer.

Founded in 1974, this must be the oldest fetish bar in Amsterdam. Today, this self-proclaimed "sleaze pit" offers a darkroom on two floors, cabins, slings, a golden shower bathtub, and free condoms, among other features.

In business since 1977, Dizzy is the jazz café if you appreciate live music. A big terrace out back hosts both Dutch and international acts every Tuesday and Sunday. The café also serves good, reasonably priced food. Come early if you want a seat. Concerts and jamming sessions are free.

At this friendly Red Light District café, you'll find an excellent selection of beers on tap and tasty and sustainable food. Despite its name, which means "foolish things" in Dutch, the place has a Christian identity, but if you're not looking for it, you probably won't see it. Either way, it's a good spot to contemplate the serious "sinning" taking place behind the red-lit windows nearby.

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.

Every night, this megaclub opens its doors to some 2,500 people. It's a great Escape for those who take "dress to impress" literally and are keen to dance under laser lights as DJs spin dance music spanning all the popular genres, including house, techno, electro, and pop.

This friendly neighborhood coffeeshop is in the heart of multicultural De Pijp. With a happy, homey vibe and light and airy decor featuring work by local artists, this is a place where everyone will feel welcome. They have a patio where you can freely smoke their high-quality, all-organic products.

Founded in 1996, this truly mellow place welcomes everyone: gay, lesbian, bi, queer, or straight. They have an appetizing cocktail menu and offer food at reasonable prices. Inspired by well-known Dutch drag queens, the "diva burgers" are a hit, as is the Monday all-night happy hour with cocktails from €6.50.

Another Cannabis Cup darling—and a not uncommon docking station for celebrities like Rihanna and Snoop Dogg as evidenced by the many celebrity pics on the wall—this chain is renowned for quality weeds and seeds. An earthy color scheme provides a restful background and cannabis-footed storefront tables let patrons take in a breath of fresh air. There are five other locations.

Around the corner from the bustling Albert Cuyp is this bistro/bar that packs them in so tight it makes walking through the market look like a day in the park. All sorts of locals converge here, from students to suits, but don't despair: there's plenty of room on the humongous terrace, which takes up much of the Gerard Dou square.

This central cellar bar has a wonderfully relaxed vibe, as well as an outstanding selection of craft beers and single-malt whiskies.

A wide selection of beers and ales from around the globe amid jolly surroundings in a former distillery attract all types and ages. There are 250 bottled brews to choose from, 18 beers on tap, a featured beer of the month, and regular beer-theme events.

Thursday through Sunday, this is probably the hottest club in town for the rich and famous and their wannabes. The urban grooves are funky, and the sound system not too shabby.

As well as being a great place to dine, the Jopenkerk brewpub is also one of the places to be seen in Haarlem.

Part of the Fenix Food Factory, a former warehouse just across the water from the Hotel New York, this taproom of the Kaapse Brouwers brewery is one of Rotterdam's best hangouts for craft beer lovers, and has spectacular views of the city skyline from its waterfront terrace.

This chain serves mellow jazz alongside scrumptious chocolate-chip cookies in airy historical locales, providing a refreshingly understated approach to getting high. Take your purchase to Café Zoutsteeg across the street at No. 11, if you like to enjoy your smoke with a drink. There are also outposts on the Langebrugsteeg 7A and Rosmarijnsteeg 9 nearby.

Nestled on an easy-to-miss alley is this atmospheric bar and restaurant named after a Flemish TV hero from the 1960s. The food, the furniture, and the French chansons (lyric-driven songs) playing transfer you to Paris in the 1950s. A glass of wine or a simple meal here can be memorable, especially when accompanied by the occasional live music upstairs.

This stoners' mainstay, steps from the Albert Cuypmarkt, is known for its quality weed, homey feel, and, believe it or not, coffee and vegan edibles. The work of local artists lines the walls, giving you something to contemplate when the mood hits.

Easily identified by the Vincent van Gogh mural outside, this has been a family business since 1983, and now, a mother-daughter team is in charge. Plenty of plants, rocks, and crystals fill the relaxed interior, where visitors can pick up homemade edibles (including vegan and gluten-free space cake options), prerolled joints, or the weed and hash needed to roll their own.

This decade-old drag-show bar is renowned for its extravagant weekend performances. The monthly agenda includes Sunday night karaoke.