12 of the best · Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Bars, Brown Cafés and Nightlife in Amsterdam
The brown cafés of the Spui and the Jordaan, jenever in the old tasting rooms, cocktails in the former Palace of Justice and a rooftop by the IJ.
Our 12 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Amsterdam.
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On the corner since 1642
Café ’t Papeneiland
A brown café on the corner of the Prinsengracht and the Brouwersgracht, on the corner since 1642, in its own words.
Prinsengracht 2, 1015 DV AmsterdamExplore View on map
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Jenever and liqueurs
Wynand Fockink
A historic tasting room behind the Dam, for jenever and Dutch liqueurs.
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At Rosewood Amsterdam
Advocatuur
The bar and distillery of Rosewood Amsterdam, in the former Palace of Justice, with its own jenever.
The full list: Bars, A–Z
Show 10 of 12 places on a map
Brown cafés 3
The city’s classic bars.
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A classic on the Spui
Café Hoppe
One of the best-known brown cafés of Amsterdam, on the Spui.
Spui 18–20, 1012 XA AmsterdamExplore View on map
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On the corner since 1642
Café ’t Papeneiland
A brown café on the corner of the Prinsengracht and the Brouwersgracht, on the corner since 1642, in its own words.
Prinsengracht 2, 1015 DV AmsterdamExplore View on map
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A terrace on the Egelantiersgracht
Café ’t Smalle
A small brown café with a canalside terrace on the Egelantiersgracht.
Egelantiersgracht 12H, 1015 RL AmsterdamExplore View on map
Tasting rooms 2
Jenever and liqueurs.
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Behind the Nieuwe Kerk
De Drie Fleschjes
The oldest tasting room in Amsterdam, in its own words, behind the Nieuwe Kerk.
Gravenstraat 18, 1012 NM AmsterdamExplore View on map
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Jenever and liqueurs
Wynand Fockink
A historic tasting room behind the Dam, for jenever and Dutch liqueurs.
Cocktail and hotel bars 4
Creative rooms.
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At Rosewood Amsterdam
Advocatuur
The bar and distillery of Rosewood Amsterdam, in the former Palace of Justice, with its own jenever.
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Plants and cocktails
Bar Botanique
A café and bar filled with plants, in Oost.
Eerste van Swindenstraat 581, 1093 LC AmsterdamExplore View on map
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On the Kloveniersburgwal
Rosalia’s Menagerie
A cocktail bar with rooms above, on the Kloveniersburgwal.
Kloveniersburgwal 20, 1012 CV AmsterdamExplore View on map
Rooftops and breweries 2
Views and local beer.
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The bar above Amsterdam
LuminAir
A rooftop bar by Centraal Station, with views over the IJ and the old centre; formerly the SkyLounge.
Oosterdoksstraat 4, 1011 DK AmsterdamExplore View on map
Clubs 1
After dark.
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Under the A’DAM Tower
Shelter
A club beneath the A’DAM Tower, open through the night.
Overhoeksplein 3, 1031 KS AmsterdamExplore View on map
