Amsterdam has some great pubs... and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Nightlife Tips

Amsterdam has some great pubs and cafes.

Some really nice ones with a mixture of Dutch locals, foreign locals and tourists:

Tabac at the corner of Prinsengracht and Brouwersgracht, The Tara on Rokin (Irish pub with good meals and beers), Thijssen on Elandsgracht, CUba on Nieuwmarkt and the Vergulde Gaper on Prinsengracht.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: All casual.

As Amsterdam as you can get...Cafe Nol.
One of the last authentic Jordaan cafes, Cafe Nol is home to the native beer culture of Amsterdam's working class Jordaan community (not to be confused with the trendoids who are moving in). Accordion-playing, drinking-song warbling regulars congregate here for a night of drinking and music - the music in question being the good old-fashioned Dutch 'oompah' style, a kind of let's-get-drunk chorus. On no account call these 'German beer songs' and be prepared to join in if you venture inside. The interior is a superb example of the now endangered Jordaan interior decor style - so kitsch, it's class.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Hard to describe. Can't go wrong with casual.
Directions: Westerstraat, in the Jordaan.
Other Contact: Around the corner on Prinsengrac

A good Irish pub is Mulligan's, at the Amstel river (behind Rembrandtsplein). It is pretty small and cosy, and has live music very often. It is not so crowded and touristy as the Tara (although that one I love too).

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Theme: Live Music

The Absynth on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal is a little bar in a cellar with dj's in the weekend. It is pretty funky with a mixed crowd.
Good music, good atmosphere.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Mostly but not necessarily trendy.
Directions: Nieuwe Zijdsvoorburgwal, on the left coming from the station.

Nightlife Spot: Boom Chicago

The Boom Chicago shows at Leidseplein are worth visiting. They're stand-up comedian shows that give you an American perspective on Dutch society. Shows run daily, and you can have dinner before the show. Dinners are ok but not special.

12 euro pitchers of beer are a good deal.

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Theme: Theater
Dress Code: Casual is fine.
Directions: Leidseplein, on the right hand side coming from the direction of Central Station.
Other Contact: www.boomchicago.nl

Nightlife Spot: Coco's Outback Bar

Gotta admit, fair dinkum is a lie. This place looks like an Australian bar in the way people who've never been imagine one looks like. However, they broadcast cricket and rugby, have a lot of antipodean staff and sell many Australian beers. Ribs are pretty good too. So all in all not a bad night out for sports watching or tacky fun!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Dress code?
Address: Thorbeckeplein, off Rembrandtplein