Amsterdam Bars

't Arendsnest Herengracht 90		In the peaceful Jordaan area, this pub keeps in stock one beer from every brewery in the Netherlands which is very impressive. I've read that the owner Peter Arend is very knowledgeable but I've never really felt the need to ask anything. This place deserves a visit because of its uniqueness.
De Beiaard Spui 30		A place in a good location to sit outside in the sun and with a good range of beers. It is very American themed inside with wood panels and emamelled signs, petrol pumps and the like. The problem is that they insist on waiter/ress service so there is always a wait between drinks.
De Bekeerde Suster Kloveniersburgwal 6-8  - Brewpub -		Last time I visited here they served served a few Belgian beers and had a polished copper brewing vessel back of the café, which used to be used by former owners Maximilliaan. Since then, however they have started brewing again and expanded their range of guest beers. They brew Witte Ros, Bock Ros (possibly seasonal) and specials, sometimes in house and sometimes contract brewed (I think). Their bottled range includes about 40 beers from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany etc. I'll have to have another look in next time I'm there.
Belgique Gravenstraat 2		A pub that serves Belgian Beers but not a huge range. It is very dark inside at night. I read that Vlo from 't Ij brewery is sometimes on tap but they had none when I was there. I wasn't impressed with this place but plan to go back just in case I was wrong the first time.
't Doktertje Rozenboomsteeg 4		Amsterdam's smallest bar (I think), and quite old (since 1798) but has been closed every time I've been past it, I really should write down the opening times of these places before I go (Tue-Sat 16:00-01:00). I've made a note to visit the place next time I'm in Amsterdam.
De Druif Rapenburg 83		Heineken's "oldest pub" in Amsterdam (since 1631). The bar looks really old with wooden casks built into the wall. It is very small but there are seats outside. It is a bit out of the way though. When I went there there were a few local drunks seated at the bar saying things to me like "Manchester United", but it was a holiday so maybe I was just unlucky, still it shows it is used by the locals.
Gollem Raamsteeg 4		This place stocks hundreds of Belgian Beers, several of which are available on draught. It is just a bit of a walk from the "Hoppe" and the "Beiaard" and the area is relatively safe at night, which is a bonus. It is quite a small place with two levels and the beer selection is written on blackboards all around the walls. This is my favourite beer specialist bar in Amsterdam.
Gollem en Bierkeuken Daniël Stalpertstraat 74		Gollem's sister pub in the "Pijp" area which opened recently, it's OK but a bit out of the way. When I went, in the afternoon, it was empty, maybe it gets busier at night, or maybe it hasn't been open long enough to get known. They have some tables outside if it's warm.
Heffer Oude Brugsteeg 7		This place is just on the edge of the red light district, opposite "The Grasshopper", which can be seen down a street on the left as you walk from straight up from the station. It has a spacious feel to it with a high roof and a balcony round the inside wall. There are also tables outside, fenced off a bit from the losers on the street. They serve Venloosch Alt which is an ale (ie. not lager), although I think they have lager as well.
Heineken Brouwerij Stadhouderskade 78		They don't brew beer here any longer but "The Heineken Experience" is nevertheless not a bad tour for the money. You get a free pint and a half in with the price, and a free gift.
Hoppe Spui 18-20		This bar has apparently been here since 1670, with an authentic wood panelled interior and sand on the floor. Not a huge beer range but they have Wickse Witte. A favourite with the locals as well as tourists. One of my favourite "non-beer specialist" bars. The only downside of this place is that sometimes the bar staff employ that charming old Amsterdam tradition of turning round to polish glasses for 5 minutes as soon as they notice they have a customer, even in an empty bar. It is nice to sit outside in the summer but beggars can be a problem.
Brouwerij 't Ij Funenkade 7  - Brewpub -		A brewery housed in an old bath house at the base of a windmill. You can tell this if you go to the gents toilets. It has limited opening hours so a visit must be planned, it is only open Wednesdays to Sundays from 3pm to 8pm. To get there take bus 22 from Centraal Station and get off when you see the windmill. Their six regular brews range in strength from 5% to 9%, most of them are towards the higher strength so be careful, they can catch up on you. They also make seasonal specials and one off brews. This is a very popular place as it serves possibly the cheapest beer in Amsterdam and it can be hard to get a seat if you are not in there early.
In 't Aepjen Zeedijk 1		An interesting small old looking bar, although I'm told that it actually only opened in the late 80s. It is housed in one of the last two remaining wooden framed houses in Amsterdam though, and a lot of the wood is 16th century, including some of the ceiling beams inside*. The draught beers on tap are Heineken and Grimbergen (I'm not sure if they do bottles). Another one of my favourite "non-beer specialist" bars. It can be spotted by the old red Heineken star sign hanging out at the front. *Thanks to Rafal Klopotowski for this info.
In de Wildeman Kolksteeg 3		Also stocks hundreds of beers, not only from Belgium but also from The Netherlands, Germany, The UK and more. The staff are friendly and helpful, which is rare in Amsterdam. It is world famous so expect to hear a few American voices. The downside is that it is in a bit of a seedy location. There is a chip shop opposite though which is handy.
Karpershoek Martelaarsgracht 2		Near the station, another "oldest bar" (since 1829) with sand on the floor and, strangely, a bollard inside the door to the right, I've no idea why it is there. There are a few tables on the pavement outside for when it is sunny and they had "De Koninck" on tap when I was last there.
Old Sailor O.Z. Achterburgwal 39A		Right in the middle of the red light district. Not bad inside, just like an english pub with a nautical feel, like you might get at the seaside at home. A useful haven from the rest of the seedy place and you can watch the punters negotiate with the girls in the windows in safety. Because of its location though the customers tend to be mostly male (don't worry it's not a gay bar).
Olofspoort Nieuwebrugsteeg 13		A genever tasting house, with hundreds of varieties available, which is housed in an old wooden framed building that looks like it might fall down at any minute. Worth a visit, they have a dark beer as well as a lager. It's on the edge of the red light district though so watch yourself.
Papeneiland Prinsengracht 2		Yet another of the "oldest bar" contestants (since 1642). It is quite a small place but with big panelled windows through which can be seen good views of the canals. There is also a small upstairs room with an even better view. They have a small selection of Belgian beer and beer from 't Ij brewery (mentioned above). Good service from friendly staff, which is unusual in Amsterdam. This is another one of my favourite "non–beer specialist" bars. (Photo by Brendan Boyle - 19th July 2005.)
Reynders Leidseplein 6		This is the best place on the Leidseplein square. It is old looking inside and consists of two (or three) separate rooms each with its own bar. Even though it is old it still looks a like a fake themed Irish bar to me. Guinness, Kilkenny, Lager and Wickse Witte are on draught and it is a good place to sit outside in the sun and watch people nearly get run into by bikes (who apparently not only own the cycle paths but also the roads and the pavements as well).
Wynand Fockink Pijlsteeg 31		Another genever tasting house. Worth a visit, they have beer (lager) as well. It's in the red light district though so watch yourself.
De Zotte Raamstraat 29		Another Belgian beer specialist near the Leidseplein, the decor just seemed a bit modern and not pub-like for my taste. They have a very good beer range though.

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