Fun and entertainment Holland

Just around the corner from Leidseplein, this long bar is a real institution, trendy 20 years ago, trendy today. And it's still going strong. You only have to go down the stairs to the basement to understand: wide sofas, comfortable armchairs, soothing candlelight and even a small greenhouse await you in a delightfully tranquil setting. The beer is a little pricey, but aren't you right in the center of the Leidseplein district? A great place to drink, see and be seen.

An incredible bar housed in the Kimpton De Witt hotel complex, it is first noticed for its unusual appearance. Super Lyan combines ultra-modern design elements with this incredible bar, a sort of spaceship straight out of a science-fiction film in a building dating back to the ^17th century. You'll feel right at home in a unique, sexy and hushed atmosphere, ideal for an exceptional evening. The audience is a mix of hotel guests and locals enjoying the excellent house cocktails. An address we recommend.

Unquestionably the most beautiful venue in the city, and why not in Europe and even the world, as Vogue magazine recently reported. The sumptuous main room, in the purest Art Deco style, is well worth a visit. Its comfortable armchairs are ideal for daytime siestas. The dome, marquetry wood panels, carpets and stained glass windows all nostalgically evoke the grandeur of a bygone era. In short, this is one of the city's most beautiful buildings, not to be missed.

Waterkant is an unlikely address at first glance: behind a garage, on the water's edge, but on a not very glamorous bank where alternative but harmless fauna often congregates, Waterkant has enjoyed an excellent reputation since it opened, and it's justified. The inspiration for the ambience and menu comes from Surinam, with succulent dishes and finger food. It's great to enjoy a beer on the sun-drenched terrace (why not dream) or in the evening under the glow of multicolored garlands.

The Concertgebouw is first and foremost a superb historical building, both inside and out. Of course, it is also an extraordinary acoustic: the best in the world according to many experts! But the Concertgebouw is also an experience of going out "Dutch style" in a cozy and elegant setting. The program is distinguished by its high level of quality and constant innovation. It is the ideal place for an evening of music when you are in Amsterdam. Free concerts are organized every Wednesday at noon.

A superb speakeasy style bar, it is housed in the Indigo Hotel in the centre of The Hague and once hosted the Central Bank of the Netherlands. You have to go down to the basement and enter the vault where the gold bars were once stored. The atmosphere is just incredible and it is nice to sip delicious cocktails in soft armchairs and imagine the meetings that were once held here. A beautiful and unusual address that we like to discover and make discover after a walk in the area.

Our favorite address in the Leidseplein district. Café Eijlders, just around the corner from Leidseplein, opened in 1940 in the midst of the German occupation and became a place of resistance frequented by artists. This brown café seems to have remained unchanged, and the city's literary and artistic fauna still make it their haunt. An oasis of peace in the heart of this bustling district. Exhibitions and poetry afternoons are regularly held here. It's amusing to observe the circus of the city's trendy population trying to get into the local clubs.

This is the first brewery in Amsterdam to open its doors as a tasting room! The beers from this microbrewery, located in the east of the city, can be tasted in the idyllic setting of a very pretty real mill, after a pleasant bike ride. Although the address is well known on the tourist circuit, it's a classic among locals, so the atmosphere is always authentic. A mill, a terrace, good beers, heaven on earth? Beware, the place closes early, so plan to keep it in your schedule.

For over 10 years, the Ziggo Dome has welcomed all the big names in music to a state-of-the-art venue in the south of the city, next to the Ajax stadium. The hall is very well designed and boasts excellent acoustics. With a capacity of 17,000, it's so well arranged that everything flows smoothly and is designed for a pleasant experience. Designed by Benthem Crouwel, the building is a rectangular box with two rows of seats. The exterior is covered with 840,000 diodes, which animate and illuminate in a futuristic manner.

If it sometimes seems a shame that Starbucks cafes are popping up like mushrooms in the Netherlands these days, this one, just a stone's throw from Rembrandtplein, is well worth the trip. Located in The Bank building, it is actually housed in the former bank vault... and the interior is simply amazing. The space is conceived as an amphitheater, and it is first of all the long bar table (17 meters!) which catches the eye, shows and various parties are hosted on the different levels.

Superb microbrewery on the West Side. We go there to savor the various beers on the menu and to enjoy the zen, industrial setting. Troost is an established brand with several establishments in the capital. We really like this one, nestled in the beautiful brick building of the Westergasfabriek. The menu offers a wide choice of beers, from lagers to malts and IPAs, as well as a menu of small dishes and burgers.

A tea room but much more than that. When the weather is fine, the establishment sets up its terrace on a barge moored opposite. One lounges deliciously in the sun while enjoying some cakes washed down with an excellent coffee. A superb address which, in a wooded, rustic and mastered decor as the Dutch know so well how to do it, proposes the classic salads and soups. The rattan seats are pleasant and invite you to relax. A nice quality address for a relaxing break in the center of this very photogenic city.

Our favorite meeting place, so pleasant, central and successful. We love its intimate room, decorated with copper and weathered woodwork, which looks as if it once belonged to a brown café. Conveniently located on the square where a book market is held several times a week, you can sit in the pleasant glass roof, sip a beer and eat savory snacks. Concerts are often held here on Sundays at the end of the day. It's also a favorite spot for a morning café croissant.

Bubbles & Wines is an excellent historic wine bar in the city. Well, historic, that's not an exaggeration either, as it's only about two decades old, but it's got the seniority in this genre. Here, it's all about tasting flights, an assortment of three half-glasses of wine from the same grape variety. The menu also includes some delicious, sexy and trendy dishes, such as caviar and snails. An elegant address with a dark, uncluttered design. The ambience is international and modern, making a change from brown cafés for once.

This amazing bar-igloo is located right next to Rembrandtplein. An amazing and unique place, as it is the ice bar of Amsterdam. The highlight of the place is of course the minus 10°C part. Designer decor, the work of a Dutch designer. You will be provided with a down jacket, moonboots and gloves. And you will last about thirty minutes, the average according to the staff who must be replaced every two hours according to the directives of the labour inspection. Fun and especially to show off a bit when you get back from your stay.

An address in the student district that we really like: a brown café, with patinated furniture, offering good beers in a timeless atmosphere. In summer, the tables extend out onto the sidewalk, and some are even on a platform over the water, so watch out for seasickness! You can also brunch or have breakfast here, albeit a little late. De Doelen is a sure bet in the neighborhood, attracting customers of all ages. The atmosphere is pleasant and conducive to socializing, especially in the evenings. We highly recommend it.

Did you know that this typically Dutch café dates back to the 1950s? When you enter, you're immediately enveloped in typical Dutch Gezelligheid, brown wood, more brown wood, always brown wood. Strangely enough, the whole place is full of charm, just a stone's throw from the Place du Spui. "La cabane du roi" in French is a place to enjoy an evening, drinking a good lager or a typical genever. You'll also find Dutch liqueurs and the famous jenever, of course. A great address!

A superb wood-panelled bar tucked away in the grounds of Hotel The Grand, it has been completely renovated and welcomes you in a refined, retro decor. Situated between one of the city's oldest canals and the hotel's private garden, this rustic, traditional bar is well worth a visit for a quiet evening away from prying eyes. Enjoy a glass of champagne or sip a gin in a quiet, cosy setting. An à la carte menu will satisfy even the hungriest appetites. Prices are in keeping with the location.

Soundgarden, named after the band, is a café that, as you'd expect, puts rock in the spotlight. For exactly 30 years, it's been a firm fixture in the capital, close to the hypercentre. The ambience is particularly good, and the superb terrace is very popular. It was even voted Amsterdam's most beautiful terrace. Concerts are held regularly and are very popular with the public. In winter, you can always play a little billiards indoors, while you wait for something more serious.