Amsterdam

't Arendsnest

Excellent biercafe serving only Dutch beers and liqueurs, including jenever. Around 30 beers on tap, 17 or so which change regularly, and over 100 bottled. Very friendly bartenders who know beer well and give great recommendations. Try the €8 sampler, which gives you 12cl (1.2ml) samples of 3 beers with a glass of water and some crackers.

Sun-Thu 16:00-24:00, Fri-Sat: 16:00-02:00

420CAFE

Known for their moderate prices. The music played here is Classic Rock & Frank Zappa.

10am-01am

Belgique

One of the smallest bars in Amsterdam, there is seating for at most 15 people. Specialising in Belgian beers, extensive menu that includes some hard to find beers on tap. This place is smoke friendly so don't be surprised to see people rolling joints as they drink.

14:00-01:00 daily

Bitterzoet

This placed used to be alternative, but changed ownership and is now more hip hop and R&B oriented. Check their agenda to see what they're doing.

Blue

The selling point of this cafe is its 360 degrees view over Amsterdam. Its interior is minimalist and stylish. A great place to have a Dutch cup of coffee while taking in the views. Unfortunately, it's only open at daytime as evenings are reserved for private events.

Mon 11:00-18:30, Tue Wed Fri Sat 10:00-18:30, Thu 10:00-21:00, Sun 12:00-18:30

Brasserie Hoekenrode

Large cafe under the Hampton/Hilton hotel. During the day mainly caters to the nearby office crowd, but in the evenings it gets more local.

Mon-Fri 10:00-23:30, Sat Sun 12:00-23:30

Brouwerij 't IJ

Its label with an ostrich egg is a visual pun, as IJ and 'ei' - the word for egg - sound the same in Dutch. East of the centre, close to Artis Zoo, in a former bath house beside a windmill. A small-scale brewery where delicious beer in several varieties and strengths is brewed and sold - at a bar - on the premises. The beer is available at some specialist beer shops, and is of high quality and, in some cases, alcohol content. Internationally renowned!

Wed-Sun 15:00-20:00

Cafe L'Affice

Small bar with friendly staff and a cosy and candle-lit atmosphere. Selection of beers on tap and in bottles, including a triple blonde specially made for the bar. Small selection of bar food as well.

Fri Sat 11:30-01:00, Sun-Thu 11:30-00:30

Café Smit & Voogt

Locals love this place. It is situated inside a beautiful building and has timber booths and seating inside. There is also seating on the footpath which is well placed to catch the afternoon sun. Serves a selection of beers and other alcoholic drinks and also serves food. You can usually get a seat for a drink but better to come early or book for food. Very friendly service.

Canvas

A restaurant-bar-club, this urban and edgy den in a former newspaper office is a great place to go out at night. With nice views of the city and a varied music repertoire (alternative, jazz, funk), it's one of the hidden secrets too often overlooked by foreign visitors. Try one of the cocktails.

Mon-Thu 07:00-01:00, Fri 07:00-04:00, Sat 08:00-04:00, Sun 08:00-01:00

Club 8

A large alternative place with lots of art on its walls. There's ping pong, a very local and fairly young crowd.

Cracked Kettle

This beer, wine, and spirits shop carries independent, unique, and rare bottles. The staff are friendly, but the space is quite confined and obtaining bottles from the very top shelves requires assistance and a dust rag.

12:00-22:00 daily

Cuba

Great bar, really nice atmosphere, close to the Red Light District with a nice terrace in the summer. Selection of cheap cocktails and long island ice tea.

Dan Murphy's

One of the many Irish pubs in the city. People from all over the world meet here and watch football, rugby and typical Irish sports like hurling and Gaelic football while drinking a pint of Guinness.

De Bierkoning

Not a café, but a 'supermarket' specialized in beer. It has over a thousand beers, about half of it Dutch.

De Dampkring

The shop was featured in a scene in Ocean's Twelve. Very decent hashish ("Rifman" products), rather high prices. Has won the Cannabis Cup numerous times.

10:00-01:00 daily

De Jaren

A minimal art-deco interior next to Hotel d'Europe and a great view of where all the main canals come together (climb the stairs to the upper floor - the view is better and the crowds surprisingly thinner). Food is middling and on the pricy side, but it's a nice place to sip a cup of coffee or tea and read a newspaper.

De Proefzaak

In 2015 the first monastery - the Kleiklooster - opened in the Bijlmer, and as good monks do, they started brewing beer. Good beer, if somewhat eccentric. This is their tasting hall where you can sample the current Kleiburg brews. Avoid late afternoons, particularly on Fridays, as it can get very busy when nearby offices are empty. Clientele consists more of office workers and tourists than locals. You can frequently spot a tall grey-haired man with a large beard - the monastery's preacher - buzzing around.

Tue 11:30-17:00, Wed 11:30-22:00, Thu-Sat 11:30-00:00, closed Sun Mon

Delirium Café Amsterdam

With over 500 bottled beers and 20 craft beers on draft, the biggest craft beer bar in Amsterdam

Feijoa

Cocktail bar with a lovely atmosphere, pleasant music and friendly staff, including one of the Netherlands leading cocktail barmen. Will make any cocktail you ask for.

Filter

Small eco-friendly coffeebar situated in the lobby of hotel Ecomama. Serves great coffee, breakfast and a small selection of sweet and savoury treats. Also organic tea, juice and the best grilled-cheese sandwiches. Have a relaxed morning on the sunny terrace or enjoy art by starting Dutch artists.

Closed · opens 8 am tomorrow

Gollem

A special beer café, serving many beers, especially from Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic and other countries.

Green House

Usually pretty crowded but when warm or if you can get a seat definitely one of the nice coffeeshops near the Red Light District. Also has a bar next door.

09:00-01:00 daily

Hannekes Boom

One of Amsterdam's hidden secrets, Hannekes Boom is a cosy, somewhat ramshackle, bar with a waterfront along the IJ. It's a great place to just hang out and have a beer. Not for clubbers, but for those looking for a relaxing underground atmosphere and live music. It is centrally located, but off the tourist path, so it has a local feel to it. Outdoor seating is available, but you have to order your drinks inside. If you want to eat, make a reservation in advance (though the food is nothing special).

Sun-Thu 11:00-01:00, Fri Sat 11:00-03:00

Hard Rock Cafe

This is close to, or right next to the Holland Casino also close to the Leidseplein. Great service, great food, and plenty of drinks.

In De Wildeman

A very well stocked beer café, or actually beer tasting room (bierproeflokaal) in the centre of the inner city. 17 beers (usually from various countries) and a cider on draught, and about 250 different bottled beers offered. There is no music played, which makes for a very friendly and talkative atmosphere, and it has a separate non-smoking room.

Irish Pub Slainte

An Irish pub that also serves very inexpensive food like cheese sandwiches. Everything you can expect from an Irish pub nearby the Oude Kerk and nearby the Red Light District.

Sun-Thu 09:00-01:00 Fri-Sat 09:00-03:00

Kadinsky

It looks completely different from before, and now has three floors with a slick minimalist design.A great place to smoke your goods, and actually serves a good cup of coffee too.

10:00-01:00 daily

Katoen

Close to the southern part of the Canal District. Alternative music and cosy atmosphere also in the evenings.

Maloe Melo

Small blues bar which is separated in two parts: a free part in the front, €5 entrance fee in the back where blues or rock 'n' roll bands play live every night of the week.

Sun-Thu 03:00, Fri Sat 04:00