Find out how to enjoy Amsterdam nightlife. The city comes alive at night, with its dazzling, crowded streets, lively parties and sophisticated bars. So here’s where you can go to party hard.
What’s the nightlife like in Amsterdam?
To define here what nightlife is like in the city, it’s important to take into account the time of year you plan to visit Amsterdam, because the attractions change according to the season. In summer and spring, for example, people tend to walk more in the streets, stroll through the Red Light District and do other nighttime outdoor programs.
In winter, however, tourists tend to go out to clubs and closed bars to protect themselves from the cold.
It’s worth mentioning that the Dutch people’s favorite nightlife is enjoying a beer in one of the city’s many bars. The Netherlands produces a wide variety of beer brands, including the famous Heineken. In fact, there you can take an incredible tour to learn about the history and production of this brand of beer.
1. Nightlife at De Pijp district in Amsterdam
De Pijp is a typically Dutch neighborhood. It is located around the Sarphatipark park, where beautiful natural landscapes stand in contrast to the city. There, you’ll find lively bars, including the famous Heineken Experience, which we’ve just mentioned.
If you’re traveling in the heat, take the opportunity to walk around. You can choose one of the bars with a balcony. There are also a few pubs, and one of the best things to do is to walk from bar to bar to get to know a bit about each one. If it’s colder, the cafés with live music are comfortable and warmer.
Marie Heinekenplein is an area of the neighborhood with more elegant establishments. Gerard Douplein is a small square surrounded by lively and trendy bars with a younger crowd.
2. Nightlife at Red Light District in Amsterdam
You can’t talk about nightlife in Amsterdam without mentioning the Red Light District. This is the city’s busiest area, especially at night. Contrary to what many people think, this place is visited by all kinds of tourists, from families and couples to groups of friends. But it’s worth noting that, at night, the crowd is more restricted to adults. So if you’re with children, prefer to go there in the morning.
There are a lot of nightclubs, coffee shops and a few bars. The best thing about it is to walk around until you find a place that suits you. It’s worth visiting at least one coffee shop (stores that sell marijuana with government authorization). Be aware that it is strictly forbidden to take photos of women in shop windows and breaking this rule can lead to serious problems, such as fines and punishments.
3. Nightlife on Leidse Square and Leidseplein in Amsterdam
The Leidseplein district is in the tourist area of the city and is a very lively and trendy area. It is the place with the most things to do at night, such as bars, clubs and coffee shops. In the summer, there are many street artists singing and playing there, and many bars set up their tables outside.
The square and the streets around it are very crowded. There are three streetcar lines that pass through the area: 1, 2 and 5. Leidseplein also has a choice of nightclubs, if that’s your thing.
4. Restaurant nights in Amsterdam
The gastronomy in Amsterdam is very diverse. There are options for both typical food and cuisine from other places, especially Asian and French, as well as the big fast food chains.
5. Bar nights in Amsterdam
Do you like a good beer? Then Amsterdam could be paradise for you. There are plenty of bars specializing in beer in the city, with many local labels. But if you’re more of a drinks or wine person, there are some great places too.
Save money on your trip to Amsterdam:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Amsterdam cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Amsterdam tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Amsterdam. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
