LOUCHE and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Nightlife Tips

Nightlife Spot: Maxims

"Louche" is one of my favourite words, and perfectly describes "Maxims"

If you don't understand the word - read on!

"Louche" means classy - with just a hint of, not rough, but close to a word i'm looking for - and not degenerate either - at 3 a.m. words are dificult to find - that's Maxims!

This is a piano bar just off Liedseplien - and is a brill place!!!

Ask the piano man to play a song - put a note in his jar ( small change not a good idea! ) and he will serande you and your partner ( whoever she may be! )

And the drinks aren't that expensive either!

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Didn't notice any formal code but, as usual - women wearing as little as weather will allow will always be welcombe!

Blokes - don't have to suit themselves!

The pic is actually a photo of a detail from a poster which is from Maxims (visit to see a very interesting poster - either me or Maxims (see 1st dress code preferably!!! LOL :))
Address: Leidsche Kruisstraat 35
Directions: Side street off Liedseplien, on left facing away from town. Follow your ears!
Website: pianobar.nl

Nightlife Spot: Cafe Pleinzicht

There are several types of bar/restaurant here in Amsterdam, ranging from the Grand Cafes to the coffee shops but if you want to immerse yourself in the real Dutch Drinking society then search out these little "Brown Bars".

There is some debate as to why they are so-called - have they become brown over the years because of the tar build up from the tobacco smoked or are they just painted brown to hide the smoke staining? But, either way, these are the proper bars, where there will be a limited range of beers, and if you are lucky such food offerings as bitterballen or fricadelles.

Cafe Pleinzicht is a perfect example, despite its red light district location, where the predominant language is Dutch, though easily switching into English as required, and on the evening I was there interspersed with a little Spanish as well. Just like a proper British pub the beer facilitates conversation, old jokes are disinterred and geniality is the order of the day. Great little bar :)

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Don't be silly!
Phone: 020 6247444
Address: Oudezijds Voorburg Wal, Centrum
Directions: Just up the street from The Old Sailor (I think).

website is just a general Amsterdam Cafe listing one
Website: http://www.channels.nl/amsterdam/all_cafes.html

Nightlife Spot: Nacht Cafe Mazzeltof

With de Pijp being predominantly a residential area most bars and cafes shut by 2 am but for those of us who may fancy one more beer for the road then Nacht Cafe Masseltof on Ferdinand Bolstraat is the place to finish up. This bar (and it is a bar rather than a nightclub) doesn't open until 8 pm and is usually pretty quiet until the early hours are the other bars start to close at which time it comes into its own.

Late at night the atmosphere is laid-back and friendly, as was the barman on my last visit and despite the beer being an extra 50 cents is still well worth dropping in for if you go out until late.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: This is just a bar and so no particular dress code but the rule regarding scantily-dressed women always applies ;-)
Address: Ferdinand Bolstraat 40
Directions: Just up the road from the Heineken Experience.

Sorry no other contact details available :(

Nightlife Spot: In de Wildeman

If beer is your thing and you want a proper drinking establishment then this where to be. In de Wildeman is described as a "Bier Proeflokaal" - literally "beer tasting place" - and that is exactly what it is. There's no music, the food offering is limited to snacky stuff and so there are no distractions from the serious business of quaffing an international selection of beers.

There are usually 18 tap beers on offer, mainly Dutch and Belgian, changing seasonally, with each served in its appropriate drinking vessel, and another 180 or so in bottles. The bar has two rooms, one used to be non-smoking, but now both are (spit!) and there is a pleasant beer-fuelled bonhomie about the ambience.

I've notice that some other sites' reviewers knock the service here but this isn't a tourist destination and if you're expecting fawning service don't bother - this is a pub!

Clientelle tend towards the older age group and is mostly local, I suppose the lack of Eurofizz and Musak deters the youngsters, but is eclectic and even if dropping in for a sole session you'll usually find a conversation. On my last visit I even ended up being photographed by a local mag as an archetypal beer hound!

Yep good bar!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Phone: 020 638 2348
Address: Kolksteeg 3
Directions: On the 3rd side street to the right off Damrak coming from Centraal Station, just after the shopping street.
Website: www.indewildeman.nl