Local bars

• 't Loosje

  Very old, brown bar with a lot of character on the edge of the Red Light district. The interior features beautiful tile tableaux dating from the beginning of this century. Attracts a mixed crowd during daytime, but caters mainly to students during the evening. Outdoor terrace with a good view of the Nieuwmarkt square.

  Nieuwmarkt 32-34

• Nol

  Very popular bar in true over-the-top Jordaan style: red lights, crystal chandeliers, floral wallpaper and of course loud Dutch ballads, which the crowd sings along to at the top of their voices. Always full, especially during weekends. Popular with locals and students alike.

  Westerstraat 109

• Twee Prinsen

  Brown Jordaan bar with a friendly and lively atmosphere. A light interior with large windows and a beautiful mosaic floor. Twee Prinsen is famous for its heated outdoor terrace, which is perfect for colder nights.

  Prinsenstraat 27

• De Koe

  Escape from busy Leidseplein and listen to free performances by local blues and rock bands. Meals are good and affordable.

  Marnixstraat 381

Dance & music

• Dansen bij Jansen

  The city's most famous student club (student ID required). Dansen bij Jansen offers various music styles: disco, pop and house. On the ground floor you will find a small dance floor, the bar is upstairs. Cheap drinks and a relaxed dress code.

  Handboogstraat 11

• Paradiso

  Amsterdam's temple of modern music is set in a former church and has the best acoustics and ambience in the city. They feature not only DJ's, but also many great performers throughout the week.

  Weteringsschans 6-8

• Club Arena

  Party in an old chapel! Club Hotel Arena Tonight hosts a varying program of club nights, from Urban to House to 80's to Salsa and Latin. Top Dutch and international DJ's are regular guests. Even though it is located a bit out of the center it is easily reached by bicycle, tram or night buses.

  's Gravesandestraat 51

• Meander

  Venue with a variety of bands located in the student club district. Cheap beer!

  Voetboogstraat 5

• Odeon

  An elegant club in a converted seventeenth-century canal house. Odeon is three stories high; each floor offers a different style in music. Popular with university students.

  Singel 460

• Melkweg

  The Melkweg is mainly a live music venue, but it's also a cinema, art gallery, café, multi media center. On weekends it also hosts a variety of dance events.

  Lijnbaansgracht 234A

Coffeeshops

• Grasshopper

  Welcome to Amsterdam! The first coffeeshop you see when exciting Central Station is the Grasshopper. It's pretty busy so maybe visit their other shop on Nieuwezijdsvoorburgwal.

  Oudebrugsteeg 16 & Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 57

• De Dampkring

  This coffee shop has won the Cannabis Cup several times. Though winning this award attracts lots of people from abroad, De Dampkring is still very much a local coffee shop, with a friendly staff, who are happy to answer all the questions you might have.

  Handboogstraat 29

• Dutch Flowers

  A highly rated city center coffee shop with a great view of the Singel Canal. Lots of magazines, newspapers and comic books around if you are into reading!

  Singel 387

• Abraxas

  Great colorful coffee shop situated in a small alley in the center right between Dam Square and Spui. One of the best tourist-friendly coffee shops in Amsterdam.

  Jonge Roelensteeg 12

Food

• Maoz Falafel

  One of the cheapest meals in town serving falafels in warm pita bread at most of the hotspots in town. The upside is that you can fill up on as much salad and sauce as you want, for the same price.

  Reguliersbreestraat 45, Muntplein 1

• The Atrium

  Self service student mensa with cafeteria food and cheap meals. Meals are served from 12noon-2pm and from 5pm- 730pm

  Oudezijds Achterburgwal 237