Fun and entertainment Amsterdam

That would be the oldest! This café dates back to 1624. Well, it has to be said that several Amsterdam establishments claim this title, which apparently has a high value on the authenticity market... We know for a fact that Rembrandt, who lived in the neighborhood, was a customer. The wood panelling and beautiful billiard room give this "brown café" a very warm atmosphere. In the chiaroscuro of Café Chris, anything seems possible.

Once a classic brown café, it has undergone a successful metamorphosis to become a trendy café without forgetting its authentic roots, and we're delighted. Strategically located on the Singel, not far from the station, it attracts a varied public to its beautiful, welcoming bar. Come alone or with friends to enjoy the lovely, photogenic brick-wall decor. The menu includes broodjes as well as snacks that go perfectly with the evening's beer. In summer, the pretty, typical terrace is just waiting for you.

Located in the De Hallen cultural and entertainment center, Filmhallen has 9 screens and is related to The Movies. The setting is inspiring, and the varied program will appeal to families and discerning film buffs alike. Strolling through the center of De Hallen is also a pleasure. The Art Deco-style "Parisien" cinema, originally a historic hall belonging to exhibitor Jean Desmet, is a highlight of the year, with programming in collaboration with the Eye cinémathèque. Every year, the venue hosts the superb "Tapis rouge" French film festival.

A place where you can eat the best burgers in town (with Aberdeen Angus beef, among others...) since 2012, in the heart of Amsterdam's biggest market. Sure, it may look like a restaurant at first glance, but that's not why we're here (only). In fact, this butcher has a well-kept secret: at the back of the room hides an exclusive bar, which can be accessed by ringing the bell and giving the password communicated when booking. You can make your reservation on their website. We'll say no more... A pleasant evening guaranteed!

Tolhuistuin is a multifunctional space offering a varied cultural program. The peak season is summer, when the gardens are transformed into a happening place with concerts, plays, culinary events, dance performances, debates and more. Since its opening a few years ago, Tolhuistuin has become one of the capital's cultural darlings, where people love to spend special evenings, especially on hot summer nights. The THT restaurant is also very popular. It's easy to get to, just across from the ferry at the main station.

For over 30 years, Veem House has been masterfully shaking up the Dutch and Amsterdam dance and performance scene. The institution is housed in a magnificent building dating from 1898, once a warehouse for luxury goods from the colonies: coffee, tea, tobacco and cocoa. The performance hall on the^3rd floor is reached by superb wooden staircases. The venue has been fighting for its survival in recent years, so you should not hesitate to discover and support it. Don't miss the on-site restaurant, Bak.

For over 100 years, Hegeraad has been an Amsterdam classic, like an antidote to all those trendy cafés. It looks as if it hasn't changed in a century, and the decor is charming. This is the place to enjoy their incomparable apple pie, and leave the hordes of ill-informed tourists at the neighbor's. We come here to talk, to read the paper during the Saturday morning organic market or the Monday flea market, and also to enjoy a good genever in a timeless setting. Beware that service can be a little gruff at times.

Hannekes Boom has long since become one of the city's must-sees. It's a meeting place, a bar-restaurant and a cultural platform located in a beautiful spot, seemingly floating on the water opposite the Nemo Museum, next to the public library. We come here more for the setting than for the ultimately very average food. The setting is unique and truly idyllic, and you'll find it hard to leave. The place offers a varied cultural program celebrating the Dutch Gezelligheid. The menu features simple, local dishes.

A classic not to be missed. This brown café, which has been serving beer since 1670 in the heart of Spui, the city's literary square, gathers regulars and transients around its counters. The narrow, panelled room with its sawdust-covered floor is always packed with customers, who drink standing shoulder to shoulder, when they're not overflowing onto the square in fine weather. The house serves excellent beer in the Dutch style. The place has a rare photogenic quality, and it's a must to stop by in the middle of winter to warm up.

This friendly café is located on the corner of Singel and Paleistraat, behind the Royal Palace and Dam Square, hence the name of the establishment. It attracts a rather young (average age 25) and student clientele. The menu is rather banal, serving simple dishes in an uncluttered setting, but the place has the advantage of also offering very good sandwiches for a fair price. We love the terrace, where we can watch the peloton of cyclists as they make their way along the canal.

One of the city's prettiest cafés, it's located in the heart of the Jordaan. Dating back to 1780, it's a youngster for the city! Queen Beatrix (now back to being a princess) came in person to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of its floating terrace on the canal. The room is typical: a handful of tables, weathered furniture, nicotine-impregnated walls, beautiful enamelled stained-glass windows... Quite intimate during the day, this cosy bar fills up very quickly in the evening. Serving sandwiches and simple dishes. A beautiful, photogenic address.

Its reputation is well established. Open to contemporary creations, it offers a varied but always grandiose program of operas, ballets and sometimes unusual performances, masterfully served by the National Ballet and the Nederlandse Opera. The Opera has its own production and presents almost exclusively its own shows. In all, 500 people are busy throughout the year. All creations are sur-titled!

Spanning several floors, this former theater has undergone several metamorphoses over the years. For some years now, it has been home to the Supperclub. A veritable institution, the Supperclub's concept is to dine, lying down, in a surprisingly artistic atmosphere, to soaring and often invigorating sounds. At the time of its creation, the concept was innovative and totally unique. Since then, although the lounge has become mainstream, Supperclub has always stood out for its unique setting, consistently pleasant sounds and magnificent surroundings.

It's probably the country's most famous jazz venue, and rightly so. It is now housed in the modern quarters near the central station. The atmosphere is quite unique, between land and sea. The program is excellent, and big names perform here regularly. The different venues offer a variety of programs, including experimental and children's shows. A bar-restaurant is on site for an excellent evening out! A true reference in the capital since 1974!

Located at the end of the Vondelpark, this quiet gay-friendly club, a former squat turned legal, is an institution. There's always something interesting or, failing that, strange going on: concerts for all tastes, cabaret-style shows, inspired readings... The large hall houses a bar, a spacious stage and a dance floor. From the entrance, a grand staircase leads to the café on the second floor, where a colourful crowd chats and listens to the music.

Probably the address where we feel most at home, a classic since the 1970s that's always lively, whatever the day of the week. The crowd is made up of regulars and tourists, and the whole place exudes energy. The menu is attractive, with the usual sandwiches at lunchtime and burgers and salads in the evening. As in many places in Amsterdam, you'll also find a vegetarian menu. In summer, a pleasant terrace is often crowded. The cuisine is simple and moderately priced. The night often goes on very late.

This café is located on the corner of Keizersgracht and Leliegracht, in a picturesque spot that's sure to make you dream. Café Brandon boasts to be the^3rd oldest in the capital, and with a little imagination, you'll find yourself back in the Golden Age. The decor has changed little and Brandon has remained the same: an authentic brown café! Football fans will recognize the posters of Neeskens, Cruijff and the great Ajax, while aficionados of billiards and various games (chess, a checkers) will also be delighted.

Herengracht has long been a favorite of Amsterdam's trendy, affluent scene. The decor, with its brick walls and huge paintings, is utterly charming! Part bar, part restaurant, it serves delicious, if somewhat expensive, food. We particularly like the lovely terrace along the majestic Herengracht, where people come to see, but also and above all to be seen! A good place for young professionals to pick up girls. Note: the place also has a lovely patio.

Escape is Amsterdam's biggest nightclub, ideally located on Rembrandtplein in the heart of Amsterdam's nightlife. This nightclub is the talk of the town, and is a huge success. Its varied line-up includes internationally renowned DJs. To keep up with the times, the place has undergone a number of metamorphoses and is always at the cutting edge of the night! Its different rooms guarantee an evening perfectly suited to your current desires. A unique experience in the heart of the night. Cheaper tickets for girls online.

This café, located 3 minutes from the station, dates back to 1629. It's great when old age comes into its own: it's said to be the oldest café in town, and a very authentic one at that. Delft earthenware, sawdust thrown on the parquet floor to soak up the overflowing moss, walls in colors aged by centuries of smoking, a clientele of regulars who come to chat or play cards... it's all there. This neighborhood bistro has the added bonus of being spared the tourist flood and the fickle moods of fashion...

Schuim (foam) is a sort of relic of the pre-social networking era, when design wasn't the main topic in cafés. It's a classic in its genre. The atmosphere is assured and constant. The address still attracts loyal locals who have grown a little old, as well as tourists. The food is pretty good and not too expensive, given the location, not far from Dam Square and Spui, the capital's literary square. The establishment also organizes theme evenings. A pleasant address.

The Minds is a very comfortable bar with character that has proclaimed itself Amsterdam's only (and last) punk bar, and it's probably true. Here, you can spend a pleasant moment listening to good rock while drinking good beer (real, not Heineken, the manager tells us). Billiards on site to pass the time. A superbly located address in the center of town, which thumbs its nose at the trendy new addresses springing up like mushrooms in Amsterdam, particularly in this district.

Ideally located on one of Amsterdam's most beautiful squares, this superb brown café has become a benchmark for Amsterdam's young, hip scene. It's a place to drink (a lot) to good music. The complex was once the waiting room for the horse-drawn streetcars, so the history is very much present. You can have breakfast, lunch or brunch (burgers, bagels, wraps...) while enjoying the sunrise on the east-facing terrace. Excellent choice of beers, over 8 on draught and 20 by the bottle, just to name a few.

Here's a place steeped in history... This large, uncluttered café plunges us into an almost medieval atmosphere, thanks to the dim light provided by a few wrought-iron chandeliers hanging over long guest tables and its wooden mezzanines. It is also home to the Society for Old and New Media, an association with links to numerous institutions, which works to develop and disseminate multimedia through conferences, exhibitions and a website.

These sandwiches have been excellent and of consistent quality for years, and a connoisseur crowd flocks here every day. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, giving you the impression of being in a living room. It's great to sit on the popular sofa or gaze out of the window and watch the ballet of cyclists and tourists as you enjoy a tasty dessert. The broodjes are really delicious! Ideally located just a stone's throw from the Jewish quarter and with the Spinoza statue not far away. Puccini has been a unanimous favorite for years!

Over the years, Bitterzoet has become a respected classic in the city, not far from the train station. This address was conceived by a group of friends who wanted to make it a trendy yet welcoming and accessible place. On weekdays, Bitterzoet is a bar, but on Thursdays it transforms into a popular club offering a wide variety of programming. We invite you to consult the website to be sure of finding an evening to your taste. Concerts are also regularly organized. Make sure you get there early, as by midnight there's a mad rush at the entrance.

In the heart of the Jordaan, on an ultra-photogenic canal, lies this brown café, not as old as it looks. Thijssen is frequented by a motley crew, often from the neighborhood, with a nice mix of expats and locals who crowd the terrace in fine weather or around pretty tables while reading the press. You can also dine on small, economical dishes. Beware: on Saturdays after the market, the smell of fish on the terrace is quite unpleasant! A fine address for a quiet breakfast in this typical neighborhood. Continue with the Saturday market.

It's a slightly hidden café in the northern part of Jordaan, on a street perpendicular to the lively Lindengracht. It's undoubtedly one of the most authentic and photogenic. This place has real class and seems to be frozen in time, ideal for spending a quiet evening chatting. The café is the setting for a famous Dutch crime series(Baantjer). The establishment, which dates back to 1954, regularly organizes special evenings, including live music, to immerse you in the musical style of the Jordaan.

This brown café, one of the most popular in Jordaan, is renowned for its lively atmosphere and the warmth of its mainly Amsterdam clientele. For over 100 years, it has built a solid reputation that extends far beyond the Jordaan district. A great passion: Levenslied, the Jordaan folk song. For a glimpse of what's in store, visit the website, as vintage as it gets. A beautiful, authentic address in the heart of the Jordaan. You're sure to have a memorable evening.

The style of this place, which mixes Art Deco and neo-Gothic, is not yet entirely at the point, even if it intrigues. We also find ourselves at one of the best addresses, close to the central station. A small garden in the background is open when time permits, but the room is also very pleasant. On Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, jazz groups regularly deliver interesting music for our great pleasure.

This establishment, close to Amsterdam Zoo (Artis) and the Maritime Museum, prides itself on being the neighborhood's living room. On entering, it's easy to see why: the setting resembles the houses of yesteryear, and the decor seems to have remained unchanged for years, perhaps even centuries. Candles on aged wooden tables, newspapers available and a welcoming local clientele. Scharrebier is both tasting room and café. It's a place where you immediately feel at home, and where you want to stay for hours meditating or talking.

Panama is a cultural complex located just outside the city center, 15 minutes from the train station, in a friendly neighborhood. It's a place that, over the years, has attracted an eclectic public in their thirties, even forties. The atmosphere is very pleasant, with many themed evenings. Panama is an address that appeals more to those in their thirties and forties than to the younger crowd, and the themed evenings are proof of that! Panama is well worth a visit, especially if you're going out with a small group! Popular with locals.

Just behind the Concertgebouw, Café Welling is the brown café version of a bistro for young hipsters in a very jet-set neighborhood. At the first ray of sunshine, the tables invade the sidewalk... and the Ray Ban sunglasses come out of their cases. We love this authentic address, even if the crowd is a little too blinged-out at times. Concert exits see a mix of all kinds of people, and it's great fun. The terrace is very pleasant in summer, as there are few cars in the neighborhood. An address to discover on your way out of the Concertgebouw.

Located on the first floor of the American Hotel, now the Clayton Hotel, just behind Leidseplein, this illustrious establishment opened in 1902 and has recently been refurbished. It's a thing of beauty. With its stained glass windows diffusing golden light, kitschy frescoes and Tiffany chandeliers, it offers a very authentic Art Deco setting, all in a contemporary design with vintage notes. The menu features brasserie-style dishes, from bavette to croque-monsieur. We recommend the de luxe champagne high tea.

Two minutes from Leidseplein, De Balie is located in the complex of the same name, which includes an excellent arthouse cinema and a conference room. This handsome, high-tech café, with a large bay window overlooking the square, is a favorite meeting place for young cosmopolitan hipsters and artists, after a canvas in the neighborhood. Above all, De Balie is the place to be for cutting-edge debates and discussions featuring world-renowned intellectuals (often in English). Check out the program!

This long café-bar is not far from Leidseplein and is very popular with students, but not only them! It includes a bar serving good fast food and hosting live bands at weekends, as well as a restaurant serving hot dishes at reduced prices. A pleasant, welcoming place that we warmly recommend. While many of the neighborhood's shops are closing, to be replaced by trendy addresses that all end up looking the same, de Koe (Dutch for cow) is holding out!

A unique, colorful address long appreciated by locals and tourists alike. This coffee shop is one of the city's best addresses. The place has a certain style and the music is good. It seems to be customary to write your name and the date of your visit on the walls or on a table before leaving. The setting is cosy, with soft club armchairs just waiting for you. Savor a cup of tea, gaze at the canals through the long bay windows. Hill Street Blues is a rare gem to discover.

Did you know that the red light district also includes authentic, historic cafés where locals also go? Such is the case with this one, which is a proeflokaal, a tasting place, historically for genever, but which also offers a fine beer list. The draught beer is the Brand, much better than the Heineken, as well as numerous genevers. The interior is so pleasing to the eye that you'd think you were in a museum, and this is an address you'd love to discover and immortalize after a stroll through the neighborhood.

This is not a theater, but a venue for musical and dance performances. Check out the programs, because there's always the possibility of a pleasant surprise. This is where the Christmas circus performs. Superbly renovated a few years ago, it's a place with an old-fashioned atmosphere, at the foot of the Amstel, with a view of the Maigre Bridge. Don't hesitate to dress up when you go out there, as Amstellodammers sometimes do the same. Keep a close eye on the program during your stay, as you may come across some famous artists (and why not from France!).

Here's a nice address that hosts cabaret and comedy programs, sometimes also music and dance. The location, on a pretty canal just behind the Leidseplein, is very convenient and accessible. Of note: Smoeshaan's on-site café-restaurant is also worth a visit, and it's a pleasure to meet the artists over a beer after the show. A city classic, though better known to locals and Batavians than to visiting tourists, don't hesitate to check out the program.