You’ll find loads of different bars in Amsterdam, from open-air bars to rooftop bars, grand cafés (a bar and restaurant combined) to cocktail bars - they really do have it all. There are so many that it can make planning a bar crawl pretty tricky. So, we have done the hard work for you and planned a bar crawl that will take you to some of the best bars that Amsterdam has to offer, with walking time kept to a minimum.
The first stop on the bar crawl is Hannekes boom, where you can sit outside and enjoy a beer in the late afternoon sun. It then ends in one of Amsterdam’s most well-known bars, Cafe Hoppe where you can experience a proper Dutch Cafe that’s heaving with locals. It’s set right next to the red light district so you can carry on your night after or, if the crawl has defeated you, sober up at one of Amsterdam’s many late night eateries. To find out more about Amsterdam visit The Highlights or visit our guide to the city's best clubs and coffeeshops.
Cafe Hoppe
This old Dutch pub dates back to the 1670s and has been a local favourite for centuries. Head here to try the traditional Dutch combination of beer and bitterballen, your beer will have at least a two-finger head - but in Amsterdam a beer without head is dead!
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The Tara
Originally an English pub called O’ Henry’s, The Tara has now become an epic Dutch bar in the heart of Amsterdam. It’s an international pub where you can go for a drink, have some lunch or dinner while enjoying loads of music and sports. With 5 different rooms and three large bar, there is plenty of room for even the largest of groups.
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De Drie Fleshjes
This bar is the ultimate ‘brown café’ (a traditional Dutch pub), with tobacco stained walls and wooden barrel interiors. Located just off Dam Square, the historic tasting room is the perfect spot to try a glass of Dutch gin. Sip it inside the bar or watch the world go by on the outdoor terrace.
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Cafe Belgique
Despite being one of the smallest bars in Amsterdam, this tiny venue is one of the hottest spots in the city. Set in an alleyway off Dam square, the main attraction of this bar is the 50 + Belgian beer options, with 8 more beers on tap. Enjoy a relaxed drink here in the early evening, or head down later when the bar is packed with locals squeezed in elbow-to-elbow.
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LuminAir
LuminAir is a high vibe elevated sky bar and terrace curated to enlighten its audience, a place to see and be seen and escape the hustle of the world below. Designed to mirror the mood of the sky above, LuminAir’s modern interiors are a spectacular, ever-changing canvas of art and light, thanks to cloud-shaped installations and luminous projections. No two visits to LuminAir will ever be the same.
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Hannekes boom
This bar is a glorified shack set on a tiny island next to Central Station. In the summertime, it’s extremely popular with locals looking to watch the biggest sporting events or listen to a live gig. It also has a huge outdoor terrace overlooking the harbour, making the Boom one of the hottest spots in town. In the winter, head inside and grab a seat next to the open fireplace.
