Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [113]
Finch Noordermarkt 5. This smart café-lounge bar situated near the Noorderkerk attracts a stylish, relaxed crowd, drawn by the design-school ambience, good tunes and superb location overlooking the Prinsengracht. Daily 10am–1am (Fri & Sat till 3am).
Finch
De Kat in de Wijngaert Lindengracht 160. With the enticing name “The Cat in the Vineyard”, this small bar is the epitome of the Jordaan local, and quiet enough for conversation. Sun–Thurs 10am–1am, Fri 10am–3am, Sat 9am–3am.
Nol Westerstraat 109. Raucous but jolly Jordaan singing bar, this luridly lit dive closes late, especially at weekends, when the back-slapping joviality and drunken sing-alongs keep you rooted until the small hours. Daily except Tues 9pm–3am, Fri & Sat until 4am.
Pacific Parc Haarlemmerweg 6 www.pacificparc.nl. Part of the Westergasfabriek redevelopment, this bar-restaurant has lots of outdoor seating looking onto the canal and is a cool summer hangout for food or just drinks. Live music and DJs on weekends. Mon–Thurs 10am–1am, Fri & Sat 10am–3am, Sun 11am–11pm.
Proust Noordermarkt 4. Trendy design bar, but the laidback Jordaan atmosphere attracts students and young urban professionals. The focal point is the giant lamp in the shape of a revolver. Reasonably priced bar menu. Mon 9am–1am, Tues–Thurs 5pm–1am, Fri noon–3am, Sat 9.30am–3am, Sun 11am–1am.
De Reiger Nieuwe Leliestraat 34. Situated in the thick of the Jordaan, this is one of the area’s many meeting places, an old-style café-bar filled with modish Amsterdammers, and with faded portraits on the walls. Mains around €19. Sun–Tues 5pm–midnight, Wed–Fri 5pm–1am, Sat 3pm–1am.
’t Smalle Egelantiersgracht 12. Candle-lit and comfortable café-bar, with a pontoon on the canal out front for relaxed summer afternoons. Daily 10am–1am, Fri & Sat until 2am.
Thijssen Brouwersgracht 107. An old-time favourite with neighbourhood locals. Nothing fancy, but perfect for lingering over coffee or fresh mint tea with a magazine. The tiny terrace gives good views of the bustling market. Mon–Thurs 8am–1am, Fri 8am–3am, Sat 7.30am–3am, Sun 9am–1am.
De Tuin 2e Tuindwarsstraat 13. The Jordaan has some marvellously unpretentious bars, and this is one of the best: agreeably unkempt and always full of locals. Daily 10am–1am, Fri & Sat until 3am, Sun from 11am.
De Tuin
Eating and drinking | Bars |
Old Jewish Quarter and Eastern docklands
Brouwerij Het IJ Funenkade 7. Long-established, really rather rudimentary bar and mini-brewery in the old public baths adjoining the De Gooyer windmill. Serves up an excellent range of beers and ales, from the thunderously strong (9 percent) Columbus amber ale to the creamier, more soothing Natte (6.5 percent). Daily 3–8pm.
De Druif Rapenburgerplein 83. Possibly the city’s oldest bar, and one of its most beguiling, this is a resolutely brown establishment with barrel-ends on one wall and old photos on another. Attracts a local crew, who give it a village pub feel. Daily 3pm–1am (Fri & Sat till 2am).
De Groene Olifant Sarphatistraat 510. Metres from the Muiderpoort, this is an old, wood-panelled brown eetcafe, rich in character, with floor-to-ceiling windows and an excellent varied menu of international (but Dutch-based) dishes; mains from €13. Daily from 11am, but kitchen daily noon–4pm & 6–10.30pm.
KHL Koffiehuis Oostelijke Handelskade 44, www.khl.nl. See map "Zeeburg". Old-fashioned coffeehouse (not to be confused with coffeeshop) with wooden panelling and heavy red curtains, located in a 1917 state monument. Small but varied menu and live music in the back room on Saturday and Sunday. Tues–Thurs 11am–1am, Fri 11am–2am, Sat noon–3am, Sun noon–1am.
Odessa Veemkade 259 020/419 3010. This bar-restaurant in a replica of an old Russian