Amsterdam Nightlife Tips by johngayton

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 :(