Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [142]
Shopping on the nine streets
Finally, note that some small and medium-sized shops won’t accept credit cards – ask if in doubt; traveller’s cheques are accepted hardly anywhere.
Shopping |
Amsterdam’s commercial art galleries
Amsterdam has a small but thriving commercial art scene and some great private galleries, and these are well worth visiting either to view specific exhibitions or to buy some art.
Arti et Amicitae Rokin 112 (Old Centre) 020/623 3508, www.arti.nl. This centrally situated gallery, part of a private art academy, is one of the city’s most prestigious exhibition spaces, with a gallery at the top of a Berlage-designed staircase, usually given over to exhibitions of modern art in a variety of media. Tues–Sun noon–6pm.
Binnen Galerie Keizersgracht 82 (Grachtengordel west) 020/625 9603. A gallery of interior design, with regular exhibitions of furniture and a small permanent collection too. At Prinsenstraat. Wed–Sat noon–6pm.
Chiellerie Raamgracht 58 (Old Centre) 020/320 9448, www.chiellerie.nl. Cutting-edge gallery off Kloveniersburgwal that focuses on photography and has regular temporary exhibitions. Daily 2–6pm.
FOAM Keizersgracht 609 (Grachtengordel south) 020/551 6500, www.foam.nl. One of the city’s major exhibition spaces for photography, with regular large exhibits and a small collection of material that’s always on view. Entrance €7.50. Daily 10am–6pm, Thurs & Fri till 9pm.
Huis Marseille Keizersgracht 401 (Grachtengordel west) 020/539 8181, www.huismarseille.nl. The city’s prime photo exhibition space, housed in a fabulous location in a restored, mid-seventeenth-century canal house that was once the home of a French merchant – hence the name. It hosts quarterly exhibitions, to which admission is usually around €5. At Runstraat. Tues–Sun 11am–6pm.
Mokum OZ Voorburgwal 334 (Old Centre), 020/624 3958, www.galeriemokum.nl. This historic Amsterdam gallery, named after the Jewish word for the city and a famous magical realist novel, still exhibits both fantastical and realist modern works. Wed–Sat noon–5pm, Sun 1–5pm.
Reflex Modern Art Gallery Weteringschans 79a (Grachtengordel south) 020/627 2832, www.reflex-art.nl. You’ll always find something interesting in this gallery, which represents some big international names, most notably some of the artists of the CoBrA school – Appel, Corneille and others. At Spiegelgracht. Tues–Sat 11am–6pm.
Torch Lauriergracht 94 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/626 0284, www.torchgallery.com. One of the city’s most challenging contemporary galleries. Thurs–Sat 2–6pm.
W139 Warmoesstraat 139 (Old Centre) 020/622 9434, www.w139.nl. Long-established gallery in the heart of the city that can always be relied upon to take a chance on new, up-and-coming artists. Daily 11am–7pm.
Shopping |
Night shops
Most night shops (avondwinkels) open when other stores are starting to think about closing up, and they stay open until well into the night – which sounds great, but you have to pay for the privilege: essentials can cost three times the regular price. There are one or two exceptions, but most are located a fair walk from the city centre and may take time to seek out. For a complete list, see the Gouden Gids (Yellow Pages) under “avondverkoop”. Bear in mind also that Albert Heijn supermarkets are mostly open until 10pm Monday to Saturday.
De Avondmarkt De Wittenkade 94–96 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/686 4919. One of the largest and cheapest night shops in town with a good selection of fresh products, spirits and home-made takeaway meals. Mon–Fri 4pm–midnight, Sat 3pm–midnight, Sun 2pm–midnight.
Sterk De Clercqstraat 1–9 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/618 1727. Less a night shop than a city-centre institution, with all kinds of breads and pastries baked on the premises, a large fresh produce section, a deli and friendly staff. Beats the pants off most regular supermarkets. On the far side of the Jordaan from the