CAFES OF AMSTERDAM..

AS FROM DECEMBER 2018 THERE WILL BE NO MORE PUBS ADDED TO THIS PAGE

Including a Haarlem, Rotterdam, The Hague,Utrecht and Masstricht supplement at the end

For the location enter full post code into the link below

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Introduction

I first went to Amsterdam in 1991 and have visited the city many times since. As you might have guessed, it's one of my favourite cities in the world. While people visit Amsterdam for different reasons, mine include the laid back atmosphere, the charming old buildings, the atmospheric canals and of course the great drinking establishments. I try and visit Amsterdam once a year, as you can see by the reviews!

Brown Cafes!

Traditional drinking places are called Brown Cafes, so-called because of the dingy colour of the walls through years of tobacco stains. Most are small, and intimate with dim lighting, candles on the table and wood panelling, giving a cosy atmosphere. Like the English pub there was a backlash against the Brown cafes from younger drinkers, which created Grand Cafes. As the name suggests they are plusher places with a bigger choice of food. Another type of bar is the jenever proeflokaals bar which is a spirit bar. These bars are even more traditional than the brown cafes; there are not too many left but are well worth visiting. They are mainly stand-up places with limited opening hours, most drinkers have a chaser as the Scots do with a whisky. As from July 2008 Amsterdam bars are non-smoking, but not the coffee shops!!

Beers

Heineken (who also own Amstel ) dominate the Dutch beer landscape and, more importantly, its distribution, which keeps out new independent breweries. That said, there is a lot more beer choice in Amsterdam than there was 30-years ago, but there are still a lot of cafes which just serve Heineken, Heineken and Heineken or Amstel, Amstel, and Amstel. Heineken is no longer brewed in Amsterdam, but you can visit their ex-brewery which has been made into a visitors' centre. Details below. Heineken also owns Brand, whilst their cafes are few and far between. The quality of the beers is still high despite the take-over.

Like other cities and countries around the world, there has been a steady increase of micro-breweries in Amsterdam and the Netherlands in general, which has resulted in new specialist beer café opening. I am slowly catching up with the new openings!

 

Brewerys

There are lots of new cafes,brew pubs and microbreweries starting up in Amsterdam. Hopefully this site will keep you up to date.

http://amsterdambreweries.com/

 

 

 

 

OPENING TIMES

A lot of cafes do tend to change their opening hours during the year; for example, one guide book will state one set of times for one year, and another guide book another set of times next year. Most cafes tend to open midday and close after midnight. There are some cafes which are closed on certain days or have limited hours, if we know about them we will mention it to save you a wasted journey. Please check the pubs web site as well.

GUIDES  

Here are three good guides to pubs in Amsterdam.

The first is Tim Skelton book around Amsterdam in 80 beers.

http://www.booksaboutbeer.com/beer-books/around-amsterdam-in-80-beers/

The second is Ron Pattinson web site, Ron will do you a book you of the web site, for a price!.

http://www.europeanbeerguide.net/pubs.htm

The third is John Clifford guide, Once upon a pub in Amsterdam. A guide to Amsterdam’s 15 oldest pubs which is well worth a look.

http://www.gpsmycity.com/iphone/once-upon-a-pub-in-amsterdam-amsterdam-26.html

BEER PRICES

Beer prices 2.10 Euros to 2.60 Euros for a domestic beer on draught. 3.60 Euros to 5.50 Euros for a Belgian bottled beer in October 2012, in Amsterdam.

Beer prices 2.20 Euros to 3.20 Euros (average price about 2.50 Euros) for a domestic beer on draught. 3.50 Euros to 6.20 Euros ( average price about 4.50 Euros) for a Belgian bottled beer in September 2015, in Amsterdam.

Beer prices 2.60 Euros to 3.20 Euros (average price about 2.80 Euros) for a domestic beer on draught. 4.00 Euros to 6.50 Euros ( average price about 5.00 Euros) for a Belgian bottled beer in November 2017, in Amsterdam.

A quick day trip in November 2018, manage to do 6 cafes in the centre. Beer prices 2.80 Euros to 3.20 Euros (average price about 3.00 Euros) for a domestic beer on draught. 4.30 Euros to 6.60 Euros ( average price about 5.00 Euros) for a Belgian bottled beer in November 2018, in Amsterdam

 

SMOKING

As from July 2008 all Amsterdam cafes are non-smoking, but you can still smoke in the infamous coffee shops!!

RECENT VISITS

Visited October 2013. Did a day trip from Antwerp in March 2015 manage to do 5 cafes!  

On a 3 day trip in September 2015 manage to do 10 new pubs, plus visit 13 old favourites! Not bad going! 

Another day trip from Brussels in September 2016 with 2 new cafes and 4 revisits.

On my latest trip in November 2017, I managed to do 3 new brew pubs, 7 new cafes and 6 old favourites.

A day trip in November 2018, I did 6 old favourites!

 

THE CENTRE

The top of Zeedijk, makes for a excellent pub crawl with some good pubs very close together. They include Aeepjen, Het Elfde Gebod, De Haven Van Texel, Old Nickel, De Ooivar and In De Olfspoort.The Prael pub in Warmoesstraat is nearby as well.

Aeepjen,  Zeedijk 1, Amsterdam 1012

 

I have been to this pub before but for some reason never done a review of this place. The name comes from sailors selling monkeys in the pub! Lovely traditional place with old masterpiece paintings on the wall, low lighting and 60’s R and B soundtrack. No great beer choice, but a nice pub none the less.

 

John 7/10 visit Nov 2010

 

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Batavia 1920, Prins Hendrikkade 85, Amsterdam 1012

 

Web site- http://www.batavia1920.nl

 

On leaving central station, Prins Hendrikkade is the road on the left hand side, only a five minutes walk. Lovely pub full of character, there is a small conservatory at the front of the pub, and towards the back of the pub is a more traditional décor with old black and white photos and paintings of Amsterdam. The beers are on a blackboard at the end of the bar. Only 5 draughts and 16 bottled beers, but some interesting beers not usually found in Amsterdam including Maredous and La Chouffe Bok (on draught) and Poperinge, Barbar and Anchor Liberty from the USA in bottles. Friendly English barman. The front door is sliding, which is confusing on the way out after a few beers!!

 

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2009

 

Still the same. Still has sliding door!

 

John 8/10 Oct 2012  

 

This place is still the same. Friendly barmaid. Had a Orval at 4.20 Euros and a IJ IPA at 4.50 Euros.

John 8/10 visit March 2015

 

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De Brabanste Aap ( was the De Beiaard), Spui 30, Amsterdam 1012.

Web site http://www.beiaardgroep.nl/site/

A modern bar with neon-lights outside; it's not the sort of place you expect to have a good range of beers, but there are at least 8 beers on draught and more in bottles. A lively place but not too noisy . Get the right seats and you can watch the trams go by.

John 7.5/10 visit Oct 2005

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Beer Temple, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 250, Amsterdam 1012

 

Web site  http://www.beertemple.nl/

 

Another new beer café in the centre of Amsterdam (open September 2009), just off Dam so you can’t get more central than that! From the owner of the all Dutch café Arendesnest, an American beer café. Don’t worry there’s not a Budweiser, Miller or Coors in sight. This place gives a chance for Amsterdamers and us beer tourists to sample some American micro beers like Anchor, Flying Dog and the Great Divide, there is some Inbev brews for those who don’t get into the spirit of the place! The prices are not too over the top, when you consider the prices Dutch people pay for beers from Belgium which is next door! Modern comfortable décor with beer memorabilia mainly from Anchor Steam with a spiral stairway to an ultra-modern toilet! The sign on the table says order at the bar-very un-American! Opens 16-00 hours weekdays and 14-00 hours weekends.

 

John  9/10 visit Nov 2009

 

No beer menu and very little information on the blackboard about the beers. I just about knew the beers: what chance does someone who’s not so into beer have? No point asking a barman on a busy Saturday night! Bottled beers are over-priced. Had the house beer at 3.50 euros. A let-down from my last visit.

 

John 7/10 visit Oct 2012

 

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Belgique, Gravenstraat 2, Amsterdam 1012

Web site- http://www.cafe-belgique.nl/

A small café down an alleyway near Dam. The café is mainly a specialist Belgian café, but there are a few beers from other countries. The trouble with this place is it's too small, only three small tables. Outside seating in the summer helps, but it's a shame because there's a good beer choice here. Well presented beer menu, now includes a few Dutch beers like t-IJ, Parcel and Christoffel.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2005

A very small pub but a huge range of beers! Very pretty array of glasses and bottles around bar and candles on tables. Had Palm Speciale-old favourite from Belgium.

Sue 8.5/10 visit Oct 1995

A minor miracle occurred when I visited here. I found an empty seat on a Saturday night!!

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2009

 

As Ron Pattinson said in his review of this pub, ‘My front room is bigger than this place!’ This gives you a idea how small it is! The pub has the infamous  Kwak on draught; it is served in its unique Kwak glass by the friendly barmaid.  Prices at the time of visit were Kwak is 4.60 euros, Duvel is 4.10 euros and Orval is 4.90 euros.

 

John 8/10 visit Oct 2012  

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Beurs Van Berlage, Beursplein 1-3, Amsterdam 1012

 

Web site www.beursvanberlage.nl

 

Modern bar in the Amsterdam Stock Exchange building. Nice murals on the wall make this a nice relaxing place to drink. There is no great beer choice on the menu, which has mainly snack meals. Duvel is 4.50 euros.

 

John 6/10 visit Oct 2012

 

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Bierfabriek, Rokin 75, Amsterdam 1012

 

Web site- http://www.bierfabriek.com/

 

This is Amsterdam’s newest brew pub which I visited on a quiet Monday night. The friendly waiter shows us to a table which had its own self-serving beer taps, which we later found out; should have been for a group! The beers were Alfo Puur (unfiltered) Rosso and Nero. The Alfo Puur was 3 euros and was good. The brewery is at the front as you walk in; the décor is modern with lots of wood, low lighting and jazz music. The pub does go back a far back a fair way. Like the wooden menu. Opens at 1600 hours during the week and 1400 hours at the weekends.

 

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2012

 

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Brouwerij de Prael,

Cafe, Warmoesstraat 15, Amsterdam 1012

Brewery shop, Oudezijds Voorburgwal 30, Amsterdam 1012

 

At the moment this is the brewery tap for the Prael Brewery, with the brewery in the next road, but there are plans for drinking at the brewery, so I am not sure what will happen to this place when that happens. Hard to describe this one: décor including old LP covers on the wall, red curtains and Dutch oomph music in the background. Reasonably crowded, with a good atmosphere. Only beers from Prael are sold here, there are 8 beers on the blackboard and 6 taps!  Opening hours are 1500 to 2000 hours like the IJ. Add this pub to the top of Zeedijk pub crawl. Interesting place.

 

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2010

 

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Café Centercourt, Oudezijds Voorburgal 2, Amsterdam 1012

Modern café on the edge of the red light district. Recent décor job includes Black beams, White walls. Loud music, fruit machines and TV makes it a loud place, but there is a drinking outside. Average beer range.

John 6/10 visit Sept 2002

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Cafe Westerdok, Westerdoksdijk 715, Amsterdam 1013.

 

Web site-  www.westerdok.nl

 

A welcome addition to the Amsteradm beer scene. To the west of Central Station; this is not a tourist’s area and is a little out of the way, but worth the visit for its beer choice. Beer list is on the blackboard to the right as you walk in. Over 70 bottled beers; mainly Belgian, but it does have 4 beers from the local IJ. Duvel is only 2.80 Euros. Lots of polished wood to show the place is new. Good friendly atmosphere, but sadly the locals are only drinking H! Good beer place. Take the 48 bus route west of Central Station it is 3 stops.

 

John 9/10 Oct 2008

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Café Captein & Co, Binnen Bantammerstraat 27, Amsterdam 1011

 

This is a friendly Gulpner cafe to the East of the red light district. Modern décor with sofas and paintings and windows looking into the café. The café was close to where I was staying, so I popped in for one last drink before I got back to the hotel at 2300 on a Sunday. Thanks to the friendly locals including Mirjam with dog, I was still there 2 hours later! Enjoyable café, enjoyable visit.

 

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2009

 

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De Doelen, Kloveniersburgwal 125, Amsterdam 1011

Whilst in the city centre, this place is in a quiet back-street by a canal, giving it a nice cosy feel. Not a great beer choice but lots of wood panelling and prints.

John visit 7.5/10 visit Oct 1999

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Delirium. Piet Heinkade 4-6-8, Amsterdam 1019

Web site- http://www.deliriumcafeamsterdam.nl/en/

Lovely new pub with great views of the IJ river, to the East of Central Station (about a 10 minute walk or one stop on the number 26 tram from Central Station). Cosy décor with wooden tables, chairs and, of course, beer memorabilia on the wall! Friendly bar service. Massive beer menu with hundreds of bottled beers and 20 draught beers, had St Bernadus Patar 6 at 3.30 Euros. Great addition to the Amsterdam beer scene. Judge this place separately from the Delirium in Brussels.  

John 9.5/10  visit March 2015

 

Not much to add to my last review. Huge beer list and by the waterfront, pretty much  sums this place up.

John 9/10 visit Sept 2016

 

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Doktertje, Rozenboomsteeg 4, Amsterdam 1012.

Web site http://www.cafe-de-dokter.nl/

I first visited this café about 10 years ago; every time I have been back since it's been closed! This café does have strange opening times, so it's great to see it open. This is a small café with a lot of character. The cobwebs on the lights might make the house-proud want to grab a duster, but it's all part of the café's charm! Also the trip down the spiral staircase after visiting the toilets! A brown café but its speciality is whiskey from all over the world. De Koninck seems to have replaced Brand has the beer here now. We visited late on a Thursday evening, so it might be open then!

John 9/10 visit Oct 2005

Full of cobwebs, with a lethal spiral staircase. A big selection of malt whiskies, as well as bourbon. Very small, personal and friendly. But the opening times are unpredictable. Sausages and cheese snacks available.

Stuart 8.5/10 visit Oct 2003

It’s been a long time since I have visited this classic café. Still with the cobwebs and the dodgy staircase! Love it! The original brown café? Gulpner was 3.20 Euros.    

John 9/10 visit Sept 2015

Still as charming as ever, still with the cobwebs! The draught beer comes from Brand including their Weizen, IPA, Porter and Dubbelbock. I had the pilsner at 2.75 Euros. The music is ‘cool’ jazz; the soundtrack to most Amsterdam cafes when I first visited! A modern pub designers nightmare!!

John 9/10 visit Nov 2017

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Drie Flesjes, Gravenstraat 18, Amsterdam 1012.

Mon -Sat 12-00 to 20-30

Sun 15-00 to 19-00

Web site http://www.driefleschjes.nl/

Probably the best-known jenever Proefloklaas bar, because it's included on some of the city tours. I was offered a free drink here once because the barman thought I was part of a tour group. A few places to sit, including a little alcove. Casks of jenever around the place with padlocks on them for the regulars to drink as they please. Still a lot of charm and character to this place despite the tour groups.

John 8/10 visit March 1999

A jenever bar selling beer, with a pretty white cat! Barrels with locks along walls, with ladders to reach them. But short on seating.

Sue 8/10 visit March 1999

 

Long time no visit! No offer of a free drink this time! Nice café to visit but no real seating, but that is the idea of a jenever bar. Like the unique toilet doors, nice place. Jenever was 2.20 euros a glass.

 

John Oct 2012

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Het Elfde Gebod, Zeedijk 5, Amsterdam 1012

A very, very laid back café with-carpet-like table-cloths; very exotic feel. Also statues of biblical characters. Good beer list, and bottles of jenever racked up. All round pleasant feeling and very romantic.

Sue 9/10 visit March 1999

A dimly-lit café with a nice cosy atmosphere. The beer list is good and the service friendly, the place is now less into food. Candles on the tables and nice wood panelled walls, all make for a cosy atmosphere. Classy place.

John 9/10 visit Oct 2007

Classy place. I always enjoy my visits to this café. Good bar service by the couple behind the bar, including guiding some English people to some dark beers. Part of the North Zeedjik pub crawl; including De Haven Van Texel, Old Nickel, De Ooivar and In De Olfspoort. Closed Monday and Tuesday, opens late afternoon the rest of the week.

 

John 9/10 visit Oct 2008

 

Still a nice cosy pub with a good beer and pleasant staff. The pricing is a little strange with Trappist beers at 5 euros and Belgian bottled beers of the same strength at 4 euros.

 

John 8.5/10 visit  Nov 2010 

 

Usually end up at this place, after a nights drinking! Nice relaxing upmarket sort of place. Had a Orval at 5 Euros.

John 9/10 visit Nov 2017

The beer menu has a section for local Amsterdam beers, but I had a Archel Blonde at 4.90 Euros. This place is always dimly lit.

John 9/10 visit November 2018

 

 

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Engelbewaarder, Kloveniersburgwal 59, Amsterdam 1011

A very classy canal-side bar on the Kloveniersburgwal. Very pleasant but menu unintelligible. Old fashioned stove for heating. Good atmosphere.

Sue 8.5/10 visit March 1999

An up-market café just outside the red light district. Very much an arty/student type feel to the place. Try to get the seats by the big window, which has a good view out to the canal.

John 8/10 visit June 2004

It been a while since I have visited this cafe, but the decor is still as I remember it, including the curtain entrance! Also manage to get the same seat by the window looking out on the canal. The draught beer range is Belgian including Plam, Rodenbach and Stein Brugge. The student/bohemian atmosphere adds to the place.

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2009

 

Managed to get the window table again! Belgian beers are reasonably priced with Boon on draught. Westmalle Tripple and Duvel were both 3.80 euros.

 

John 8/10 visit Oct 2012

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De Pilsner Club, Begijnensteeg 4, Amsterdam 1012.

Rather crowded when entered. Long but narrow seating but no bar! Friendly atmosphere. All wood panelling and furniture. Pictures of old Amsterdam on walls. Perhaps too basic for me.

Sue 7.5/10 visit March 1999

I must admit I really like this place. After you go through the curtains don't try to find the bar because there isn't one! Just sit down and look up at the blackboard and your drink will be brought out from behind the back. It remains me of a English country pub which has a serving hatch. Some different drinks on the beer menu including an English cider. Nice old pictures around the café. Very much a locals' place, but tourists welcome. Formerly the De Pilsner Club.

John 9/10 visit Sept 2000

 

Like the nearby Little T’Doktortje, step back in time to a place which has not changed much over the years. It is good to see a place like this can survive in the city centre. It must be one of the brownest cafes in Amsterdam! For some reason this place makes me think that this is what a Czech pub would be like in the communist era. The beer list has a few interesting beers including Boon, Hoegraaden Grand Cru and of course Pilsner Urquell. As well as 4 bok beers. But the café is more important than the beers. A gem!

 

John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2009

 

Still the same. Classic place. Jopen Bok is 3.70 euros, Duvel is 4.10 euros.

 

John 9/10 visit Oct 2012

 

Good to see this place is still unchanged and still with no bar. Jopen Extra Stout was 4 Euros.

John 9/10 visit Sept 2016

 

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Gaeper, Staalstraat 4, Amsterdam 1011

Web site http://www.degaeper.nl/

Small brown café, a little of the beaten track. Standard décor for a brown café candles on the table, wood panelling and theatre posters. Friendly locals who were not too happy with the new money at the time of writing (the euro).

John 6/10 visit Sept 2002

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Gasthuys, Grimburgwal 7, Amsterdam 1012

Web site http://www.gasthuys.nl/

Brown café with two drinking areas including a raised section at the end of the bar. Lively atmosphere, the café has a big food menu, but a average choice of beer. Various bank notes hanging from the beams. Nice place.

John 7.5/10 visit Oct 2001

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Golem, Raamsteeg 4, Amsterdam 1012

Web site  http://www.cafegollem.nl/

This brown café was the first place in Amsterdam to offer a wide choice of beers. Maybe living a little on its past glory, but still a good place to drink with a good range of beers. Place is very small and can get crowded; best to get there early to enjoy. Opens 16-00 hours.

John 8/10 visit Dec 1997

It’s been a while since I last visited this café. While it has a good beer list, this place is too small and busy to give off a good atmosphere. It is still the same even on a Monday evening!

 

John 8/10 visit Oct 2008

 

This is the least crowded I have seen the Gollem, and the best atmosphere in which I have drunk in here. After all these visits I had to get it right eventually! Maybe Sunday at 2030 is the best time to visit!  Like the Gollem 2 it has Westvleteren 8 and 12, when it is served they give you the bottle cap as a souvenir-nice touch!

 

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2009 

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De Hoogte, Nieuwe Hoogstraat 2A, Amsterdam 1011

A basic bar near the red light area, which has a lot of character and a loyal following maybe because of its reasonably priced drinks. A nice quiet drinking spot in a busy area. Not a great choice of beers.

John 7.5/10 visit Sept 1998

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Hoppe, Spui 18-20, Amsterdam 1012.

Web site http://www.cafe-hoppe.nl/

Said to be one of the oldest cafes in Amsterdam, it is well-known in the guide books. Whilst there is wood panelling inside, it is very chic and upmarket, with more people drinking coffee than beer.

John 7/10 visit Sept 1998

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Hoppy Days, Koggestraat 1A, Amsterdam 1012.

Web site- http://www.hoppydays.nl/

Small restaurant/bar close to Central station and a tram line, but down a quiet side street. This place specialises in Italian food and Italian craft beer in a nice bohemian-type atmosphere; with flowers on the table, low lighting and  modern art painting on the wall. Beers are on a blackboard by the bar, I had a Black Beam at 4 Euros, as well as an excellent lasagne. Like the name!  Opens Monday at 1900 hours, Tuesday closed, Wednesday and Thursday at 1700 hours, rest of week at 1400 hours.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2015

NOW CLOSED

 

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Karpershoek, Martelaarsgracht 2, Amsterdam 1012

A real locals' pub; allegedly the oldest in Amsterdam (1616). Group of local men calling out lively remarks to each other; rather glad I couldn't translate some of them! But a good friendly atmosphere and lots of interesting paintings and photos of old Amsterdam.

Sue 8.5/10 visit Feb 2001

A traditional brown café on the end of Amsterdam front, looking over Central Station. This is like finding a traditional pub in Leicester Square! Inside the beer range is just Heineken but the atmosphere is great, with the locals being Dutch 'Men Behaving Badly'. Sawdust on the floor, wood panelling and pictures of old Amsterdam including one of the place before the tram line outside was built. Now has Brand and De Koninck on draught. Nice find.

John 9/10 visit Feb 2001

One of the oldest cafes in Amsterdam. It's been here since 1606. Dark brown panelling and wooden floor. The phones microphone did not work but I could hear the M.I.L. ! Heineken is the beer on tap.

Stuart 8.5/10 visit Oct 2003

Still the same since 1616! Beers include Heineken, Brand De Kininck, Amstel Bock and Strongbow cider plus bottles of Budweiser in the fridge (the American variety not Czech one!). Brand was 2.50 euros. Close to Central station. Worth stopping in if you’re waiting for a train.

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2009 and Nov 2011

 

Still with the same barman from my previous visits. Forgot to check if the Budweiser is still in the fridge! Orval was 4.00 euros.

 

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2012

 

It is now claiming to be the oldest café in Amsterdam. Still with the sawdust on the floor. Still with the wrong Bud in the fridge! Brand beer was 2.70 Euros. First or last stop before your train at Central Station.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2015

Still the same. A Heineken was 3 Euros.

John 8.5/10 visit November 2018

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De Kleine Karseboom, Niewendijk 51, Amsterdam 1012.

Traditional café around the corner from the Karpershoek. Standard Heineken beer range, but worth a visit for the wonderful murals on the wall, which gives the café a touch of class. Outside drinking area in the summer.

John 8/10 visit May 2003

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Koningshut, Spuristraat 269, Amsterdam 1012

Traditional brown café down to the sawdust on the floor. Interesting items hanging from the ceiling including stag heads and jugs. Brand Draught beer and a barrel of Kerik on the bar makes for above average drinking.

John 7.5/10 visit Sept 2002

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T Loosje, Nieuwmarkt 32, Amsterdam 1012

Whilst most Amsterdam brown cafes are wood panelling, this one is tile-covered which draws in a lot of students and has a student bar-like atmosphere, with a good choice of beers, are on the blackboard above the bar. Nice place. Reasonable prices for the centre.

John 8.5/10 Oct 2006

A warm atmosphere with lots of conversation. Tiles all painted with Amsterdam scenes. Lively and friendly service. Lit-up chair above door.

Sue 7.5/10 visit March 1999

The tiles are still here, but the menu above the bar is gone- there is a menu on the table-so much for progress! There is a snack menu which includes a chicken wrap. The beer list is short but has some interesting beers including Vedett from Duvel which is an extra Blond- just what we all need!

 

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2009

 

Still the same. Had a Christoffel Blonde at 3.80 euros.

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2010 

 

Still the same. Beers prices were Westmalle Tripple 4.00 euros, IJ Columbus 4.50 euros, St Christoffel Blonde 4.50 euros ( note price from last visit) and Duvel 3.80 eoros.

 

John 8/10 visit Oct 2012

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De Bekeerde Suster ( formley Maximiliaan), Kloveniersburgwal 6-8, Amsterdam 1012

Web site http://www.beiaardgroep.nl/site/

 

Home-brew pub, opened in 1992, close to the red light area. The founders have moved on, the pub is now owned by Beiaard group. While still a home-brew pub, the beer range is now down to one wheat beer. Manages to appeal to people who are into grand café and brown café. Lots of nice alcoves - a little like an English pub - and lots of character for a new building. A beer list of 8 beers on draught, mainly Grolsch and Belgian beers plus bottled beers from around the world, to make for the loss of home-brew beers. Lots of beer memorabilia all around the pub.

John 8/10 Oct 2005

Very interesting pub/restaurant with own brewery on the premises! Tried Bethanien bier-a white beer - which was excellent. Ground floor very busy but second floor was prettier and third level-up steep stairs-was best of all, with comfortable armchairs and a sleepy cat which were told had no name and we christened Clint! (get it-John ) Very friendly atmosphere. Only drawback was having to go through red light district to get here.

Sue 9.5/10 visit Oct 1995

This was Maximiliaans brew pub between 1993 and 2003. Now taken over by another company, it still brews on the premises. A witte ros (wheat beer) and a bock. Food selection is good. Multi level pub with the brewing plant to the rear and coppers in the seating area as well.

Stuart 8/10 visit Oct 2003

I am not sure if this is still a brew pub or not. The brewing vessels are still in the corner.  Part of the Beiaard group, they have the same menu as the other 2 Beiaard cafes in Amsterdam.  

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2009

 

Still the same decor. I had a Ros beer which was 3.20 euros.

 

John 8/10 visit Oct 2012

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Monlentje, Singel 278, Amsterdam 1016

A very old brown café to the point of being a little too basic. Place is a little small but there is room to drink outside and watch the boats on the canal. Not much beer choice but friendly bar service.

John 7/10 visit Sept 2000

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De Ooievaar, Sint Olofspoot 1, Amsterdam 1012

Web site http://www.de-ooievaar.nl/

Jenever bar very close to the In De Olofspoort. More of a locals' place, down-to-earth, but not without the traditional feel. Regulars seem to be having quite a hearty conversation in Dutch. A good café to relaxed in, friendly bar service. Brand beers served. Open 15-00 hours.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2006

Lovely old jenever bar. We had a beer and a jenever chaser. Because the barman could not fill the glass we could have another free ! This stuff is so much better than gin! Free peanuts served as well, and the barman was very friendly.

Stuart 8/10 visit Oct 2003

 

Great genever bar despite being crowded on a Saturday the café had a friendly atmosphere and barman. If you know nothing about genever here one easy rule: young genever comes from a fridge has hardly any flavour and is usually tasteless. Old genever is served at room temperature, aged like Scotch, comes in different flavours and tastes great. Lesson over!  Traditional place you feel like nothing has changed here in years.

 

John 9/10 visit Nov 2010 

 

Great jenever bar. Friendly barman who was not to busy when I came in but half an hour later it was crowded out by a annual pub crawl of retired civil servants! Brand was 3.20 euros.

 

John 9/10 visit Oct 2012

 

Classic jenever café which has 5 beers on draught. Good beer and jenever session with Ron before getting the train back to Antwerp. No prices!

John 9/10 visit March 2015

Mainly drinking jenever with Mike and Ron for about two hours, so I lost track of the prices again! One of the most atmospheric cafes in Amsterdam.

John 9/10 visit Sept 2016

Always a good atmosphere here, always full of locals despite its city centre location. A draught Brand was 3 Euros.

John 9/10 visit November 2018

 

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Old Nickel, Niewebrugsteeg 11, Amsterdam 1012.

 

Web site http://www.oldquarter.com/oldnickel/

 

A hotel bar which should have an average beer range, but this one dares to be different. While the draught range is average, the bottled beer list is mainly Belgian along with bottled beers from IJ and 5 other Dutch breweries. Décor is wood panelling, red carpet and low lighting. Good atmosphere at the time of visit. At the North end of Zeedjik with 4 other cafes in this guide within one minute’s walking distance.

 

John 8/10 visit Oct 2008

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In De Olofspoort, Nieuwe Brugsteeg 13, Amsterdam 1012

Web site http://www.olofspoort.com/main.html

A nice jenever bar just outside the red light district, near Central station, which is at least 300 years old and seems to lean over to the side; a little-check before you start drinking! Inside is traditional - as you'd expect from a Jenever bar, a drinkers' place with a good choice of liqueurs and jenevers. Open 16-00 hours, closed Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. Only Amstel beers.

John 7.5/10 visit Oct 2006

Another jenever bar. The front door is a bit stiff, not surprising as it is in the Red Light district! Amstel beer is served plus a wide selection of jenever.

Stuart 7.5/10 visit Oct 2003

 

Long time since my last visit. ( might be the opening hours!) Décor is still the same. The Friendly bar staff will help you find the righr jenever.

 

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2012  

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De Haven Van Texel, St Olofssteeg 11, Amsteradm 1012.

 

Web site-  www.havenvantexel.nl

 

This café has views of two canals; because of the location the café is going for the top end of the market. The Dutch, like the British, like to eat and drink by the water it seems. The reason to visit is because it stocks beers from Dutch micro Texel-maybe because of its name! For whatever reason, Texel must be happy with an outlet for their beers in Amsterdam.  An up-market café with cosy atmosphere, which stocks Scotch malt whiskies.

 

John 8/10 visit Oct 2008

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De Pilserij, Gravenstraat 10, Amsterdam 1012.

Web site http://www.depilserij.nl/

A nice cat called Harry lives here. Friendly, 'nice' atmosphere, with jazz music, a long bar lined with stools. Considering it is in a shopping area, a remarkable bar.

Sue 8.5/10 visit March 1999

A nice relaxing place which is dimly-lit and has jazz music in the background. Grolsch beer on draught. With the Belgique and the Drie Flesjes down the same alleyway not a bad place to do a 50 yard pub crawl!

John 7.5/10 visit March 1999

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Proeflokaal t’ Kelkje, Oudezijds Acheterburgwal 164, Amsterdam 1012

New jenever place to add to the 5 or so traditional ones already in Amsterdam. Décor is in the proeflokal tradition; while new it is already getting that lived-in feeling. As with most of these places there is an interesting beer list, here it is Konrad from the Czech Republic at 2.80 euros and Keesman Pils from Bamberg at 2.80 euros; both beers were excellent. Friendly owner adds to a great place which is off to a good start. Closed on Monday, opens 1500 to 2100 hours the rest of the week ( true jenever bar hours!).

John visit September 2016

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De Still, Spuristraat 326, Amsterdam 1012

This place does for whiskey, what the De Wildeman does for beer. A amazing choice of whiskies from all over the world-albeit at price. A good range of scotch whiskies including my favourite region Islay. A narrow bar/café décor with all things to do with whiskey in the display cabinets and walls. The beers are Belgian. Ask for the menu from the bar. Opens late afternoon.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2005

CAFE IS NOW CLOSED

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De Shutter, Voetboogstraat 13, Amsterdam 1012

Café which you reach by going up a set of stairs. A lot of space compared to most Amsterdam cafes, with different sections. One corner is dimly-lit, with theatre posters, other is overlooking the street and there's also a restaurant area. Original toilet signs for the Ladies and Gents!

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2001

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Taproom, Nieuwe Vijzelstraat 1, Amsterdam 1017.

Web site- http://www.taproom.nl/

Café with a good draught list of 24 beers including beers from Belgium and the USA. They also have Heineken, if you want to play safe! (The Heineken Experience is nearby) and a house beer called House Bitch! Small modern place with a heated outside drinking area. Friendly bar staff. A Dupont Saison on draught was 5.20 Euros.

John 9/10 visit Nov 2017

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T' Arendsnet, Herengracht 90, Amsterdam 1015.

Web site  http://www.arendsnest.nl/

A café which can do no wrong from a serious drinking point of view. It tries to have a beer from every brewery in the Netherlands; hopefully it will stock each breweries range of beers. As you might expect, lots of beer memorabilia around the place including bottles, brewery posters and ads. Also articles about the pub, with pictures of a one Michael Jackson. Décor is pleasant, with wood panelling and new chairs and table. A must for beer nuts! Opens 16-00 hours. The small print on the beer menu doesn't make it easy to read or do I need glasses! When I told the barman the Parcel St Mary Tippel at 9.6%. was a little strong for the early evening. He told me, it's not strong if you drink it slowly!

John 9.5/10 Oct 2007

Opened by God! (Well Michael Jackson the beer writer). It serves a wide range of Dutch beers. Long narrow bar with interesting photos at the back. Although it has only been opened 3 years it already has a good atmosphere.

Stuart 8/10 visit Oct 2003.

The draught beers are on the blackboard opposite the bar. After 9 years this is still the only cafe which covers most Dutch breweries in Amsterdam. No Belgian beer here!! The menu has a good selection of Scotch malt whiskies, as well as 3 Dutch malts.

 

John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2009

 

Still the same excellent pub, good session with Ron Patterson and Mike, thanks lads.

 

John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2010

 

Great café, great beer, and great service Texels Tripel is 4.25 euros, Jopen Extra Stout is 3.50 euros.

 

John 9.5/10 visit Oct 2012  

 

Now open at 1200 hours. Still showcasing the best of Dutch breweries; there are now over 170 to choose from! Outside drinking area by the canal which I had not noticed before.  Great place, enjoyable visit. Had a Jopen Coastal Gose at 4.25 Euros.

John 9.5/ 10 visit Sept 2015

If you want a beer from a Dutch micro, this is the place for you! Over 50 draughts, 2 cask and over 100 bottled beers all from the Netherlands. There are now over 600 breweries in the Netherlands, compare to about 50 when this place first started. I had a Jopen Extra Stout at 4.65 Euros.

John 9.5/10 visit November 2018

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Ton Ton Club, Sint Annendwarsstraat 6, Amsterdam 1012

Web site- https://tontonclub.nl/

Cafe in the Red Light District with gaming machines! The reason for coming here? A good bottled beer list from 11 Amsterdam micros, with most breweries having 2 or 3 beers on the list ( some more). Had a Lowlander Poorter ( right spelling!) at 5 Euros. Worth having 1 beer or visiting if you want to try a hard to find Amsterdam micro.

John 7/10 visit Nov 2017

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t’Spui-tje, Spuistraat 318, Amsterdam 1012

Web site- http://www.cafehetspui-tje.nl/

This is a place which specialises in rum and Frank Sinatra ( the owners’ passions), even if you are not into both this atmospheric café is well worth a visit. Long narrow café with low lighting, rare photos of Sinatra and a glass cabinet with the more expensive rums behind it. Music was mainly 1970’s and 1980’s, with the occasional Sinatra song! Like the two old man in the box from the Muppets ( Statler and Waldorf) above the door on the way out! De Koninck was 3.80 Euros and Havana Club 7 year old rum was 7 Euros. Opens at 1500 hours Monday to Wednesday and 1200 hours Thursday to Sunday.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2015

Van Zuylen, Torensteeg 8, Amsterdam 1012

Web site http://www.cafevanzuylen.nl/

Former the Ter Kulie, a still new brown café, still waiting for its first tobacco stains! Down a side-street near the Singel canal, which you can see from some of the windows. The café has independent Dutch brewer Grolsch beers on draught, but sadly a average bottled beer range, than from my last visit. . There is a large outdoor drinking area in the summer by the canal. Nice find.

John 8/10 visit June 2004

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In de Wildeman, Kolksteeg 3, Amsterdam 1012

Web site  http://www.indewildeman.nl/

 

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First brown café I visited in Amsterdam, and still the best. Not only a great beer menu, with a big Dutch and Belgian list, but a great choice of beers from all around the world. Wonderful place to drink as well, a ex-jenever bar with a lot of character. Look above the front door when you sit down, for a choice of at least 10 draught beers. Bet you can't have just one! Always something interesting on draught beer, on previous visits a barrel of Adnams was on the bar and Anchor Steam beer has been on draught. Spot the Camra beer mirror? Non-smoking area to the right. October is the time of year, for bok beer from all over the Netherlands. Classic drinking place.

John 10/10 visit Oct 2007

Another enjoyable visit at the Wilderman; still as good as when I first visited here. Great choice of beers on draught and in bottles. Expensive, but German bottled beers which are 50cl are good value under 4 euros. When a pint of Heineken is 4 euros outside this café. I am not sure about Strongbow cider on the beer list !!

 

John 10/10 visit Oct 2008 and Nov 2009

 

As always there is usually something interesting to drink here!. A world classic pub. Prices in October 2012 Westmalle Dubbel is 4.20 euros, XX Bitter and St bernards Prior is 4.50 euros.

 

John 10/10 visit Nov 2010, Nov 2011, Oct 2012

Understated décor but very pretty with wood panelling and beer barrels. Also huge range of beer bottles and glasses! Large range of beers. Very popular pub. Very pretty bar area with flowers and plants.

Sue 9/10 visit Feb 2001

One of our very favourite pubs in the world. Turn off the main shopping street. It has a wonderful range of beers. A black and white tiled floor. A raised seating area at the back and another bar to the right of the main door. The table menus list all of the beers which are available.

Stuart 9.5/10 visit Oct 2003

Back to the old favourite! Busy but with a nice atmosphere. I had a Septem Porter at 5.10 Euros. 6 of the 18 beers on draught come from the UK.

John 10/10 visit Sept 2015

The cafes impressive beer menu is  keeping up with the times, with lots of beers from new Dutch micros, even if they are more  expensive than the Belgian beers! Had Rochefort 6 at 5.40 Euros, to round the evening off.

John 10/10 visit Nov 2017

The one and only De Wilderman. Beer menu is better organised and more interesting!  A good range of draughts including Zum Schussel Alt which I had for 4.25 Euros, they also had Cloudwater. There are some expensive beers also, like in the American section there is an Jester King Brew Spon Method de Gueuze at 99.99 Euros!!

John 10/10 visit November 2018


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Wijnand Fockink, Pijlisteeg 31, Amsterdam 1012

Web site http://www.wynand-fockink.nl/

This wonderful jenever bar is just off the busy Dam Square; keep walking through the automatic doors and it's on your left. A huge choice of different kinds of jenevers, and with De Rijk and Brand beers a good range of beers as well. Only a window-sill to sit down on, usually very atmospheric. Open 15-00 until 21-00 daily in the tasting room, garden terrace area 10-00 to 19-00.

John 9/10 visit Oct 2005

Wonder if the name of the place inspired the Father Ted script writers! Nothing has changed since my last visit. The only difference is Pilsner Urquell has been added to the draught beer list, but the chance to have De Reyk is too good to miss.

 

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2009

 

Jenever bar with a good barman who shows you all the choices of jenevers; trouble is you might have to wait 10 minutes if you are stuck behind someone he is showing! I always drink the De Reyk beer here.

 

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2012

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GRACHTENGORDEL SOUTH

Ceskoslove nsky/ Czech and Slovakia Bar, Amstel 14, Amsterdam 1017.

Web site- http://www.cesko-slovensky.nl/

A Czech and Slovakia bar in Amsterdam.  There is only one Czech beer on draught, Konrad at 3 Euros, plus  8 or so Czech bottled beers and vodka. Heineken and Amstel are also on draught. The café is very dark.  Opens Monday to Thursday and Sunday 1600 hours and Friday to Saturday 1400 hours. Needs more Czech draught beer!

John 6/10 visit Nov 2017

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Gollem, Amstelstraat 34, Amsterdam 1017.

Web site- http://cafegollem.nl/amstelstraat/

Gollem’s fourth pub in Amsterdam is just off Rembrandtplein and like the original one it is small and very busy. Over 30 beers on draught; all are on the blackboard. The beer menu has a separate section for Amsterdam and Dutch beer, which is good. Had a bottle of Oedipus Mama at 4.20 Euros. Barman was quick and efficient. Cafe opens at 1600 hours Monday to Thursday and 1400 hours Friday to Sunday.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2015

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Kale, Weteringschans 267, Amsterdam 1017.

Web site http://www.cafekale.nl/

A large café near the Frederiksplein tram-stop. Nice wood-panelling inside, as well as tables outside. Bar staff were friendly and helpful. Nice place.

John 7/10 visit Oct 1999

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De Magere Brug, Amstel 81, Amsterdam 1018.

Web site http://www.demagerebrug.nl/

Café named after the bridge it overlooks on the River Amstel. Inside the décor is modern and cosy, with a few seats with cushions, modern art paintings and red lighten candles on the tables. Outside drinking area with views of the river and bridge, which was still being used later on a not-too-warm October evening.

John7.5/10 visit Oct 2003

A fairly basic and typical Dutch bar. Only a few beers available although it attracts a lot of young people with higher bar prices !

Stuart 7/10 visit Oct 2003
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Mulligan's, Amstel 100, Amsterdam 1017

Web site  www.mulligans.nl

Easily the best of the Irish theme bars in Amsterdam, in a nice setting with the River Amstel across the road. A nice authentic place when visited, less dominated by a sports screen than other Irish pubs in Amsterdam.

John 8/10 visit March 1999

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Onder De Ooievaar, Utrechtstraat 119, Amsteradm 1017

A brown café which seems have been built recently, but still has to acquire lived-in feel to it. A nice place none the less and doesn't seem to get too crowded. A good range of snacks on the menu as well as an above-average beer range including Brand and IJ beers. Friendly and by the looks of it, well fed café cat, who was here on my last visit.

John 8 /10 visit Oct 2003

Nice little café with a big cat. Red painted walls. Serves snacks at lunch time. IJ beers sold here plus several others.

Stuart 7/10 visit Oct 2003

A cafe with a modern decor, but the atmosphere is traditional and cosy.  Not a great beer choice here, but it does have Ij beer on draught and 2 in bottles. On a bridge by a canal on a tram route, so you can watch all Amsterdam life go by. The café specialists in sandwiches and does have an English menu. No cat this time around, but there was a customer’s poodle puppie wandering around the café playing cute!

 

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2009

 

No cats or dogs this time, but it is still a good place to have a relaxing drinking in. The beer menu has a few interesting beers including Trappists and IJ beers, and is above average for Amsterdam. Brand is 2.20 euros and Duvel and Rochefort 6 are 4.00 euros. An underrated place.

 

John 9/10 visit Oct 2012

 

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Oosterling, Utrechtsestraat 140, Amsterdam 1017

A real gem of a jenever bar, with its own take-out service and grocery. Once all cafes in Amsterdam were like this; sadly this is the only example left. Friendly barman and regulars who all seem to know each other, seats all around the side. Barman will guide you to the right jenever if you ask him; you certainly have a lot to choose from! The draught beer is Brand which is well worth a taste.

John 9/10 visit Oct 2006

Locals' bar with beer-barrel tables and dark wood interior. Beer and jenever specialised. Brand beer. Pubs own jenever. Very laid-back bar with friendly feeling.

Sue 8.5/10 visit March 1999

An interesting mix of off-license and café. A wide selection of spirits including jenever and single malts. Customers can sit at the bar and eat their snacks at the barrels by the window. The barman disappeared for 10 minutes to get some food for some customers! A Brand beer outlet.

Stuart 7.5/10 visit Oct 2003

This traditional café is still as good as ever. As well as a good range of jenever there is a good selection of Scottish malt whiskies. Good cosy atmosphere on a winter’s night-I didn’t want to leave!

 

John 9/10 visit Nov 2009

 

Very friendly atmosphere on this visit. Nice old place with some great clientele. Café has some interesting Belgian beers including Kwak.

 

John 9.5/10 visit Oct 2012

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GRACHTENGORDEL WEST

De Admiraal Herengracht 319, Amsterdam 1017

Web site http://www.admiraalamsterdam.nl/

Upmarket Proeflokaals place, with some nice original décor. Good use of old jenever barrels for décor including tables, chairs and toilet doors! Upstairs seating area as well as a front foyer area. Seen a little foodie, I arrived early it was okay to have a drink but I am not sure about later on. Poor beer range but drink jenever and enjoy the décor. Open 17-00 hours.

John 8.5/10 visit Sept 2002

This is the Proeflokaal bar which tends to be forgotten, as it is more of a restaurant than a traditional bar. Place is pretty much as I remember it, with the wooden barrels and low lighting. The 3 year old jeneve was 3.50 Euros. It is okay to drink when not busy; there were only two people eating when I was there. The distillery is down the road. Opens are 1630 hours Monday to Friday, 1700 Saturday and closes on Sunday.

John 7/10 visit Sept 2015

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Aas van Bokalen, Keizergracht 335, Amsterdam 1016

Unpretentious café, which was a little empty when I visited. Lots of various things on the food menu, but my Dutch is not so good! Average beer range, but nice place.

John 7/10 visit Sept 2000

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Brecht, Weteringschans 157, Amsterdam 1017

 

Web site www.cafebrecht.nl

 

Interesting German theme pub with sofas and comfy chairs, which almost makes it like someone’s front room, especially the wallpaper! As well as 2 German beers on draught they also have Budvar on draught as well. As you expect there is a good range of Schnapps. The service was very friendly.

 

John 7.5/10 visit Nov 2011

 

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Café Brandon Keizergracht 157, junction of Leliegracht, Amsterdam 1015

This find is from John White's website. This café has reopened last year, and has been left unchanged since the 1970s. If you go into the back room, it's like going back in time! With old photos of Ajax and a unused pool table. While I visited, people were coming in just to look at the place. Average beer choice, but they do have Erdinger wheat beer on draught. Hopefully they might have better choice on my next visit. Interesting place.

John 8.5/10 visit June 2004

First visit back since I visited this ‘lost in time’ café. The separate pool room has been made into a smoking room with the outside door open. Both rooms are very crowded,. Still no great beer choice, I had Brand Dubbelbock at 3.70 Euros.

John 6/10 visit Sept 2015

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Cafe Chaos, Looiersgracht 144, Amsterdam 1016

 

Nice eccentric sort of café with cupids all round the place including the ceiling! A very brown and traditional café, there are shells from dry peanuts on the floor as well as sawdust. Some nice old beer posters around the walls. First place I have seen people smoking inside after the Netherlands smoking ban.

 

John 7/10 visit Nov 2011

 

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Jopen Proeflokaal, Lange Liedsedwarsstraat 4-6, Amsterdam 1017.

 Web site http://www.jopenproeflokaal.nl/amsterdam

Jopen pub in Amsterdam which looks like it’s part of the Peter Van Der Arend chain of pubs. Just off Leidseplein, but away from the main square giving the pub an almost back street local feel at the time of my visit ( Wednesday at 1700 hours). Small but modern pub with a relaxing atmosphere. Lots of Jopen beers on draught including some strange names like French IPA and Grateful Deaf! There are 18 Jopen beers and 7 guest beers on draught. I had a Jopen Extra Stout; an old favourite at 4.25 Euros. Opens 1600 hours daily.

John 9/10 visit Sept 2015

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De Koe, Marnixstraat 381, Amsterdam 1016

Large café near the busy Leidseplein, with a upstairs bar for drinkers and a downstairs bar for diners. Beer range is non-Heineken, but nothing special ( Bavaria ). Various board games around the place like Scrabble and Chess. Open 16-00 hours.

John 7/ 10 visit Sept 2002

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Kalkhoven, Prinsengracht 283, Amsterdam 1016

Web site  http://www.cafekalkhoven.nl/cafekalkhoven/Home.html

Café on the Raadhuisstraat road where it crosses the Prinsengracht canal, so you can either look at the trams or the canal. Another unpretentious café, with a welcoming atmosphere which was nice, as they must get lots of tourists from the nearby Anne Frank house. Nice Place.

John 7.5/10 visit Sept 2000

Old café (opened in 1670) which is on a main road and next to the canal, it is also close to the Anne Frank house. The café is larger than I remember; also the Belgian bottled beer range seems to have improved. Traditional décor with old photos and prints on the wall. Nice relaxing sort of place.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2012

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Het Molenpad, Prinsengracht 653, Amsterdam 1016

Web site  http://www.goodfoodgroup.nl/

Whilst this a very trendy café, this place does have a lot of charm. If the weather is good most of the Yuppies go on the seats outside, leaving a nicely done-out inside for us drinkers. Food does seem to be popular here.

John 7/10 visit Sept 2000

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De Pieper, Prinsengracht 424, Amsterdam 1016

Ancient old café where nothing seems to have changed over the years. Nice wood panelling inside, and friendly bar staff. A small place, but there are seats across the road by the canal. On my last visit this was the nearest café to my hotel. This place has a good late night drinking atmosphere. Opens from about 16-00.

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2005

A regulars’ café with no great beer range, but a nice place none the less. Seats outside across the road next to the canal. Brand Imperator was 3.80 Euros.

John 7.5/10 visit Sept 2015

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Van Puffelen, Prinsengracht 377, Amsterdam 1016

Web site http://www.goodfoodgroup.nl/

A big place which is a café and restaurant next to each other. Like the Het Molenpad seems to attract a lot of yuppies. Nice place, but nothing to out of the ordinary here. Barge is outside to drink on in the summer.

John 7/10 visit Sept 2000

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De Tap, Prinsengracht 478, Amsterdam 1016

After the noisy and expensive cafes of the nearby Leidseplein, this place is a god-send. A long dimly-lit bar with a raised seating area, a nice cosy atmosphere and nice posters on the wall. A nice relaxing place, at least in the early evening. Opens 16-00.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2005

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T’Spuyt, Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 86, Amsterdam 1017

 

Web site-  http://www.cafedespuyt.nl/

 

At last a pub in the Leidseplen area (apart from the Zotte) which offers a choice of good beers. The beer menu is mainly Belgian but there are a few Dutch beers as well. Décor is standard Amsterdam décor which is low lighting, jazz background music and candles on the tables. Recently opened in September 2009.  I wish the owners good luck in this part of Amsterdam which needs a few good beer outlets! Opens from 16-00 hours.

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2009

 

Busy on a late Thursday evening. Still with a good choice of beer at reasonable prices for the area. I had a Saison Dupont on draught at 4 Euros which was cheaper than the bottled version! Good café, good beer. Opens from 16-00 hours.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2015

 

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De Zotte, Raamstraat 29, Amsterdam 1016

Web site http://www.dezotte.nl/

This is a specialist Belgian café; whilst offering a good choice of Belgian beers, the place seems to lack atmosphere and had indifferent bar service. A place living on its past reputation, that said there are not too many good drinking places around the Leidseplein. On a recent visit things had improved. Visited Sunday night the place was full of clubbers from the Leidseplein, it's easy to show no commitment to good beer in this environment. So credit to the café for that. Strong Bush beer is 3.50 euros, while Duvel and Orval is 3.80 euros!

John 8/10 visit Oct 2005

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JORDAAN

De Blaffende Vis, Westerstraat 118, Amsterdam 1015

Opposite 'T Monumentje café whilst not as homely, it is a nice place in its own right. With a nice upstairs area to look down on the people below. Not a great beer choice here, but you can make up for it by people watching.

John visit 7.5/10 Oct 1999

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Café Chris, Bloemstraat 42, Amsterdam 1016.

Web site http://www.cafechris.nl/

Discovered by accident. An excellent pub-the 'Blue Peter'* of Amsterdam in atmosphere. Opera, played by a knowledgeable men on amp system, with requests, and a good blend of types of Opera. A good group of ex-pats and frequent visitors. Had a wonderful time. It's the oldest pub in Amsterdam, allegedly, dating back to 1624. Went in for one drink, stayed 3 hours! (*Blue Peter in Polperro, Cornwall, is one of Sue's favourite pubs!)

Sue 10/10 visit March 1999

One of Amsterdam's oldest cafes and is traditional inside as you might expect. There is no more opera now but this is a pleasant café, mainly used by locals Not easy to find but worth the effort. Flush chain on the outside of the toilet! Tends to be open only in the evening.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2003

Interesting little café with a pool table taking up ¼ of the place ! Mind you it had a lid on it so you could rest your drink. Amstel bock is recommended if available. In the corner a lovely old grandfather clock. The amazing thing is that you literally flush the toilet in the bar!

Stuart 8/10 visit Oct 2003

No great beer list here, but this is one of the oldest (1624) and most atmospheric cafes in Amsterdam. Not noticed the Bols glass window before. Good traditional locals’ place, but no opera now! (see previous reveiew). Amstel was 2.20 Euros and Duvel was 3.50 Euros.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2015
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Daalder, Lindengracht 90, Amsterdam 1015

Web site http://www.daaldercafe.nl/

Nice average Jordaan café. While nothing too special, worth including if you are doing a Jordaan pub crawl. Room round the back if crowded.

John 7/10 visit Sept 2000

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De Gouden Floryn, Rozengracht 28, Amsterdam 1016

Nice traditional café, with various car number-plates and English football scarves all round the place, as well as 3 TV's for watching sport. Traditional barman in apron serving a good choice of beer on draught including Corsendonk, Hoegarden, Leffe Blonde and Guinness. Nice place.

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2001

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De Nieuwe Lelie, Nieuwe Leliestraat 83, Amsterdam 1015.

 

On a cold dark winter’s night this café is the definition of cosy. Small bar area on the ground floor; stairs go down to a pool table. Then there are stairs going up to a raised seating area. Low lighting and candles add to the atmosphere along with beer memorabilia on the wall. Friendly locals at the bar. Draught beer range is not great, but they did have Brand and IJ bok beer. Bottled beers including a few Belgian beers plus a low alcohol Bitburger-shame it is not the real thing! The café opens from 1400 hours. Good café, better than the expensive Reiger down the road.

 

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2008

 

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Hegeraad, Nordermarkt 34, Amsterdam 1015

Very much a friendly down-to-earth locals' place, with some up-market red décor. Nice pictures in the back. Not a great beer choice, but nice place all the same. Busy on my last visit, with visitors from the nearby Saturday market.

John 7.5/10 visit June 2004

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De Kat in de Wijngaert, Lindengracht 160, Amsterdam 1015

Interesting pub with a large number of board games to amuse visitors. Cluttered, busy atmosphere, but very comfortable.

Sue 7.5/10 visit Feb 2001

Another nice Jordaan local. Nice relaxing place, with board games like chess and draughts to keep the customers happy. Décor is traditional brown café with an above average beer list.

John 7.5/10 visit Feb 2001

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Laurieboom, Laurierstraat 76, Amsterdam 1016

A nice cosy back-street local in the south of Jordaan. Bar is taken up by pool table, with the locals playing billiards on it! A couple of interesting beers on draught including Brand Up.

John 7/10 visit Oct 2001

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Lowietje, 3e Goudsbloemdwarsstratt 2, Amsterdam 1015

 

Web site http://www.cafelowietje.nl/

 

A real traditional Jordan local in the back streets of Jordan. A lively café with Dutch music of the sing-along variety in the background. The merry locals seem to be enjoying themselves!! Old photos on the wall are interesting. Despite the Netherlands’ new smoking ban, all the locals here are smoking inside the café!! The main draught beer is Grolsch, but beer-wise the range is standard. Not you’re standard Jordan Yuppie café and all the better for it!

 

John 8/10 visit Oct 2008

 

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'T Monumentje, Westerstraat 120, Amsterdam 1015

A locals pub with hundreds of tiny multicoloured lights on the ceiling. Single room. Friendly barman and locals keen to talk and smoke! Unusual paintings on the wall.

Sue 8/10 visit Feb 2001

Friendly locals' brown café, with helpful barman who gave Sue a napkin to wipe her glasses after we had been in the pouring rain! Busy place with a lot of atmosphere, nice Christmas-tree type lights on the ceiling and nice traditional brown café décor; had a good time here with the locals. Nice old till and 'Zappa for President' stickers.

 John 8.5/10 visit May 2003

A great Jordaan local, with some of the brownish walls in Amsterdam. No great beer choice here, just a cosy regulars local place with sawdust on the floor. Amstel was 2.50 euros in bottles, which might explain the regulars drinking coffee and reading newspapers!  They have still got the old till and the Zappa for president sticker. Great place.

 

John 9/10 visit Nov 2009

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Café Papeneiland, Prinsengracht 2, Amsterdam 1015

One of the cafes which claims to be the oldest in Amsterdam. There is one big table with seats in an alcove, piped stove and tiling which creates a sense of history. On a previous visit, when we were in here we were filmed by a film crew from a Taiwanese holiday show! How sadly with a standard Amstel range of beers.

John 7.5/10 visit June 2004

Pretty model houses on shelf and photos of canals on walls. A little small. Had Amstel beer-very nice. Claims to be oldest bar in Amsterdam.

Sue 8/10 visit Oct 1995

A lovely old café which claims to be one of the oldest in Amsterdam. No great beer range but bags of atmosphere. Last time I was here was caught on film by a Taiwanese TV crew, this time outside the café they are filming what looks like a Dutch TV cop series. So if you want to be on TV this is the café for you! Brand Dubbel Bok was £3.50 euros.

 

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2010

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De Reiger, Niewe Leliestraat 34, Amsterdam 1015

The place for the style-conscious Jordaan yuppies to hang out; that said, it has a good brown café atmosphere-even if there is no dim lighting or candles. Very light and airy, and a little different.

John 7/10 visit Sept 1998

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'T Smalle, Egelantiersgracht 12, Amsterdam 1015

Despite the tourist and the Jordaan yuppies, this ex-jenever bar loses none of its charm. A classic café which seems to be in every guide-book in Amsterdam; if the bar is crowded there's a narrow staircase leading to an upstairs bar, or a jetty by the canal in the summer. Beer range is now just average. Which is a shame; a special place deserves special beers. Come early and enjoy. Close to Anne Frank's House.

John 9.5/10 visit Oct 2008

A really pretty bar with huge stained glass windows. Sat upstairs ( very steep stairs were guarded by a dog and a cat! ) Roses and candles on the tables.

Sue 10/10 visit Oct 1995

The beer selection has declined but it is still a lovely old café. The upstairs seating affords the best view of the bar. Candles illuminate it by night. It has gone down in our marks over the years.

Stuart 8.5/10 visit Oct 2003

This classic café is still as good as ever. Heineken was 2.20 euros and Duvel 3.50 euros. Only 7 beers on draught and 4 in bottles.

John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2009

Still a top notch café. A great place to relax on a Sunday.

John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2010

Still the same. Heineken is 2.40 euros and Duvel is 4.20 euros. (see 2009 prices above).

John 9.5/10 visit Oct 2012

Usually I have visited this classic café in the afternoon; this time it is an evening visit. Crowded with lots of people drinking outside by the canal, on a not very warm September night. Inside downstairs is busy, but there is room upstairs for me to soak in the atmosphere. Heineken was 2.55 Euros and Duvel was 4.15 Euros.

John 9/10 visit Sept 2015 

Still the same. Only 6 beers on draught and 6 bottled beers. The Brand is 2.80 Euros, and seems to have replace Heineken.

John 9.5/10 visit November 2018


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De Tuin,  Tweede Tuindwaarsstraat 13, Amsterdam 1015

A nice café with a lot of character in the heart of Jordaan. While a little larger than most brown cafes, this place can still get busy, but at the same time still be intimate. Average beer range with the odd interesting beer. Nice place.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2006

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Soundgarden, Marnixstraat 164, Amsterdam 1016

Web site http://www.cafesoundgarden.nl/

Young person's bar, with a pool table. The place reminds me a little of a student bar. Décor a little basic, but that’s part of the place's charm. If you don't like the inside, there's a nice terrace at the back overlooking a canal.

John 8/10 visit Feb 1999

Décor is still straight out of a student bar. With a pool table, pinball machine and table football to keep the clientele amused! Beer range is different from your standard range of Heineken and Amstel, with Budels the main draught beer along with a few other interesting beers. Outside drinking (and smoking) area is over a small canal.

 

John 8/10 visit Oct 2008

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SAS, Maarnixstraat 79

CAFE IS NOW CLOSED

There is no use doing a review of the décor of this place, because it gets a complete makeover every 3 months. So if you don't like the décor come back in 3 months! Judging by the style it looks like it's been done-out by students. Interesting and original. Now called the Sassoon, hopefully I will do a new review on my next Amsterdam visit.

John 7.5/10 visit June 1997

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Thijssen, Browersgracht 107, Amsterdam 1015

Just around the corner from the Papeneiland, nice cosy pace with old adverts around the walls. This place is the ideal café to have your Sunday brunch, relax and read a paper. Make sure you get in early enough; it seems a lot of people have the same idea! There's a few malt whiskies for 4.50 Euros.

John 8/10 visit June 2004

This is a nice place to relax and have some Sunday brunch. Mainly full of people eating from a good value snack menu, the atmosphere is a little gastro pub. Draught beer range includes beers from Texelse, Christoffel and IJ, you can have a extra cold Heineken if you are not feeling adventous!!

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2010   

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Tripel, Lijnbaansgracht 161, Amsterdam 1016.

A new Belgian bar on the Jordaan borders. Long narrow bar with the usual Belgian beer memorabilia on the wall. There are the usual suspects in the large  beer menu, but there are enough interesting beers to make it worth a visit. Place was busy with mainly young people; the music started with blues at a low volume, but by the time I left it was loud indie. Rochfort 6 was 5.60 Euros ( last beer of the night) and a Westvleteren 12 is 15 euros, if you have money to burn! Opens daily at 1600 hours.

John 8.5/10 visit Sept 2015

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MUSEUM QUARTER AND THE PIJP

 

Alverma, Bijliderdijkstraat 104, Amsterdam 1053

Modern café, which has a nice intimate atmosphere. Black and White tiled floor, open windows, low lighting and spotlights all add to the place. Good range of Brand draught beers, with some Belgian bottled beers thrown in. Outside drinking area. nice Place

John 8/10 visit Oct 2002

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Bar Joost, Moulukkenstraat 33, Amsterdam 1095.

Web site- http://joost-amsterdam.nl/#focus

Nice neighbourhood bar in the East of town ( just 2 stops on the tram from the IJ brewery). with a strong bottled list of Amsterdam micros, which are up on the blackboard. The atmosphere is friendly old brown café.  A bottle of Oedipus Panty Stout was 5 Euros. Opens daily at 1500 hours.

John 7.5/10 visit Nov 2017

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Butcher’s Tears, Karperweg 45, Amsterdam 1075.

Web site- http://butchers-tears.com/

It is not just in London that breweries are opening up to the public on industrial estates; it is happening in Amsterdam too! Décor is not as basic as some of the London ones. Had a Green Cap on draught for 2.50 Euros, a nice beer. Opening hours are 1600 to 2100 hours Wednesday to Sunday. Nearest tram stop is Haalemmermeer station on tram route 16. Karperweg is the first road to the right, you will see it when you get off-hopefully!

John 8/10 visit Sept 2015

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De Bierrad, Marie Heinekenplein 5-8, Amsterdam 1017

 

In the same chain of pubs as the Bierrad pub on Spur. A modern building at the back of the Heineken Experience: look at the address! A large café by Amsterdam standards with low lighting and beer memorabilia on the walls. The draught beer list is Heineken and the beers from De Bekeerde Suster. The bottled beer list is mainly Belgian with a few overseas beers. The beer of the month was Hopus the beer of the moment in Belgium. The friendly barman was impressed by my choice of Hopus or Hop it as it is was written!

 

John 7.5/10 visit Nov 2009

 

NOW A GERMAN THEME CAFÉ CALLED CAFÉ MARIE

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Café Berkhout, Ferdinand Bolstraat 2, Amsterdam 1072

Web site http://www.cafeberkhout.nl/

An arty bar near the Heineken Brewery. Very laid-back atmosphere and antique ashtrays on tables. Jazz music and photos of old Amsterdam, including Ajax of Amsterdam (soccer team) celebrating cup win.

Sue 8.5/10 visit March 1999

A good place to drink before or after your Heineken tour. Very traditional place which seems to have been here a while. Pictures of Ajax winning the European cup in the 70s on the wall.

John 7.5/10 visit March 1999

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Café Ebeling, Overtoom 52, Amsterdam 1054

Web site http://www.cafe-ebeling.nl/

A cross between a grand café and brown café. A large place with nice alcoves to drink in, but can get a little noisy with music and not with the standard jazz you tend to hear in most Amsterdam cafes! Café was an ex-bank; see the bank vaults as you go to the toilets!

John 7.5/10 visit Sept 2000

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Foeders, Ceintuurbann 257, Amsterdam 1074.

Web site- http://foeders.amsterdam/

A beer geeks’ delight. While the café has the Heineken range, there are 30 taps on the wall behind the bar, mainly from Belgium and the Netherlands. There are some unusual beers on draught including a joint beer by Grateful Dead and Jopen called By the Sea, which was 4.80 Euros and was a very nice porter. No food, but there are peanut on the tables and its okay to throw the shells on the floor afterwards! Nice place. Opens 1400 hours Monday to Friday.

John 9/10 visit Nov 2017

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Café Krull, Sarphatipark 2, Amsterdam 1072

Web site- www.cafekrull.com

Nice modern café on the edge of Sarphatipark. low lighting and candles on the tables, despite in being modern. A good range of beers on draught including IJ. One to read your newspapers with your Sunday bunch.

John 7/10 visit Oct 2005

The nearby Watering Hole was closed and I remember visiting this cafe before. Nice relaxing Sunday brunch atmosphere, even if it is Wednesday evening! There are 10 draught beers, with a few outside the mainstream, like Goose Island IPA and IJ Zatte ( which was 3.90 Euros). Friendly barman and locals.

John 7/10 visit Nov 2017

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Café Quibus, Van der Helstplein 7, Amsterdam 1073

A very likeable brown café in a nice location in a quiet square-at less in the evening. Friendly locals were impressive with my chioce of IJ beer, one of two Ij beers on draught in a above average beer range. A good place to people watch from the window. Pub has two fruit machines, which is unusual for amsterdam.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2005

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Café Sarphaat, Ceintuurbaan 157A, Amsterdam 1072

Brown café on the corner of Sarphatipark. Nice cosy atmosphere with the usual low lighting and candles on the table. Not a great choice of beer, but a nice place none the less. Outside drinking area with heaters, but everyone is inside on a October evening. As well as the park you can watch the trams go by.

John 7/10 visit Oct 2005

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Craft and Draft, Overtoon 417, Amsterdam 1054.

Web site- http://m.craftanddraft.nl/

Peter Van Der Arend’s third pub after the Arendsnest and the Beer Temple which opened this year. As the name suggests this one specialises in draft craft beer with over 40 beers on tap from the UK, USA, Denmark and the Netherlands-good to see also there are two Belgian Trappist beers on tap as well. There is a small bottle shop at the front entrance of the pub, which doubles up as the pub’s bottled beer menu. Friendly barman Thomas, who knows his beers and made it a memorable visit,  I had a Kees East India Porter at 5 Euros plus some other good  Dutch micro beers. On the tram route 1 close to the Rhijnuis Feithjstraat stop. Opens daily at 1400 hours.

John 9.5/10 visit Sept 2015

Great place with over 40 interesting taps which is well worth the trip out of town on the 1 tram. Had a few drinks with Ron Pattinson; as always with Ron I forget the beer prices! Still with the same opening hours.

John 9/10 visit Nov 2017

 

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Dopey's Elixer, Lutmastraat 49, Amsterdam 1072

Web site http://www.datandzone.nl/dopeyselixer/joomla/

A little out-of-the-way - near the museum area - this café is very atmospheric, with dim lighting and locals' feeling. Large single bar and attractive mirrors and signs. Bolleke nice.

Sue 8/10 visit Feb 2001

A back-street café which is not easy to find. Café décor is modern, with a conservatory area at the back. While the décor is recent, it still has a brown café feel to the place, with a good range of beer and a nice atmosphere. Seems to be less beer choice, compared to my last visit. Open from 16-00 hours onwards.

John 7.5/10 visit Oct 2005

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Gambrinus, Ferdinand Bolstraat 180, Amsterdam 1072

Web site http://www.gambrinus-amsterdam.nl/

A café which makes the most of it’s space with a upper and lower level seating. As well as a outside drinking. Décor is a strange mix between modern and brown café. Good atmosphere at the time of visit.

John 7/10 visit Oct 2005

Café not as brown as I remember it, now a modern airy café with green and white colours. Still with two drinking levels. Small beer menu; had a Duvel (always a good stand by!) for 4 Euros.

John 6/10 visit March 2015

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Gollen Café en Bierkeuken, Daneil Stapertstraat 74, Amsterdam 1072

Web site http://www.cafegollem.nl/bierkeuken/default.asp

From Heinekein Experience to down Ferdinand Bolstraat, and it is the second left turn. You can see it from Ferdinard Bolstraat.

This is the Gollen pub which is out of the city centre, close to the Heineken Experience. In my opinion this pub is better than the city centre one. For a start while small it has twice the space of the central one. Only opened in November 2004. While new, the décor is traditional brown café. There's a sofa in the middle and an raised seating area at the back. Standard beer memorabilia on the wall. Beers are on the backboard as you walk in. Good range of Belgian beers with a few rare ones. Best new café in Amsterdam since TArendsnet.' Opens from 1600 hours. Great pub.

John 9/10 visit Oct 2005

Being away from the centre this cafe gets more locals than tourists. The 16 and 24 trams stop nearby, making this a worthwhile stop.  Modern décor with sofas at the back of the café. They have Westvleteren 8 at 10 euros and Westvleteren 12 at 12 euros for those who want to see what the fuss is about.  I still think this is a better cafe than the Gollem in the city centre. Friendly barman and locals (thanks Peter and Jan) made for an enjoyable visit.

 

John 9/10 visit Nov 2009

 

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Gollen Proeflokaai, Overtoom 160, Amsterdam 1054

 

This is third Gollen café in Amsterdam, which is to the South of Leidensplein on the number one tram. This place is different from the other two Gollems:  it is more spacious and upmarket, as well as being more into food. As you might expect, a good beer list which is up on the blackboard. One of the customers’ dog is upsetting the pub cat, or is it the other way round! Orval is 4 euros, Westveleren 8 is now 12 euros.

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2010

 

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Gruter, Willemsparkweg 73, Amsterdam 1071.

 

Traditional café with authemic brown café walls, but with a new conservatory extension at the front. There is a fair amount of beer memorabilia around the walls; it is a shame the beer range does not match up to it! The café has beer glasses with its name on it. Beer is expensive; 2.40 euros for a small draught beer and 4 euros for a Duvel!! Making it more expensive than the city centre. Close to Vondelpark; the number 2 tram stops outside.

 

John 7/10 visit Oct 2008

 

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 Hesp, Weesperzijde 130, Amsterdam 1091

Web site http://www.cafehesp.nl/

An unusually large pub near the bank of the Amstel, with lots of small tables and subdued lights. Had Brigand. Two cats with attitude! But got round them and chatted to a local.

Sue 8.5/10 visit March 1999

Cafe which is away from the city centre on the banks of the River Amstel. The number 12 tram stops on the nearby bridge or Amstel metro station is within walking distance. Traditional décor with pride of place going to the old etched-glass door with the café’s name on it. Beer range is well displayed around the bar, with a Hesp house blonde and bok beer. A great place.

 

John 9/10 visit Oct 2008

Café on the bank of the Amstel with seating outside. Inside is large with separate areas for eating and drinking. Décor in black adds to the charm.

John 8.5/10 visit March 1999

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L'Affiche, Jacob Van Lennepstraat 39, Amsterdam 1053

A good back street café, with a good locals feel to it. Standard theatre posters about the wall. Small range of Belgian bottled beers, as well as draught. Outside drinking area overlooking canal and houseboats.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2002

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Poesiat and Kater, Polderweg 648, Amsterdam 1093.

Web site- https://poesiatenkater.nl/

Brew pub to the South West of the city centre in an area of new housing. The place is shiny and new, like the brewing vessels which you can see through the windows! A good range of beer styles on tap; I had a Kerchen Porter ( a nice rich beer) at 3.90  Euros. Named after two employees from the old Van Vollenhoven Brewery.

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2017

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O'Donnells, Ferdinand Bolstraat 5, Amsterdam 1072

An attractive Irish bar with a 'real ' atmosphere. Huge row of stools along bar and two very private cubicles at the end. Very good atmosphere. Large selection of whisky. Had Grolsch.

Sue 8.5/10 visit March 1999

Irish bar which is on the square at the back of the Heineken Brewery. Like most Irish bars in Amsterdam, this is expensive, but the décor has been well thought out. One of the better Irish bars in Amsterdam. There is a large back room with a large sports screen plus 3 televisions about the pub for the English football games.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2005

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Tap Zuid, Maasstraat 70, Amsterdam 1078.

Web site- http://www.tapzuid.amsterdam/

Nice cafe in De Pip. Lots of stuff on draught; the beer menu is laid out in beer styles, which is helpful. Another low lights and candles place. The café is getting busy, lots of people suddenly coming in at 2245 hours and all the seats are full. Had IJ Bok at 4.25 Euros. Opens daily at 1500 hours.

John 8/10 visit Nov 2017

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Ter Bruge, Overtoom 578, Amsterdam 1054

Nice atmospheric brown café at a road and tram junction. With a nice outside drinking area to the side. Good range of draught beers. Standard brown café décor.

John 7/10 visit Sept 2002

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 Troost, Cornelis Troostplein 21, Amsterdam 1072

Web site http://www.brouwerijtroost.nl/en/

Brew pub out of the centre, on the number 12 tram route. Modern pub with rows of tables full of bright young things. There are 7 beers from the pub’s brewery which you can see clearly at the back. I had a Trippel at 4.30 which was okay. Maybe a little too much information on the menu! No cash here, only cards! ( Is this the future?)

John 7/10 visit March 2015

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Welling, Jan Willem Brouwerstraat 32, Amsterdam 1071

Web site http://www.cafewelling.nl/

In concert hall area. Again, people going home and stopping in relaxed atmosphere. Lots of chatter! Beer list is good, with Duvel And Orval at reasonable prices.

Sue 7.5/10 visit Feb 2001

Nice traditional place, full of people from the nearby concert hall coming in for a quick drink before the performance. First door we went in was locked, but the door by the side was open. Managed to find a nice comfy chair. Nice relaxing atmosphere with a good beer range. Only minus point was the poor bar service.

John 8.5/10 visit Feb 2001

Still as cosy and traditional as I remember. A café with genuine brown walls, old lighting, a small fish tank behind the bar and nice comfortable chairs like someone’s front room. No great beer choice here, but they have Gulpner on draught ( makes a change from Heineken) for 2.40 Euros, I had a De koninck for 3.60 Euros. No music-just the sound of the locals reading their newspapers!

John 8/10 visit Sept 2015

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Westers, Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat 35, Amsterdam 1054.

 

A laid-back café which is on a busy road. The café is a cross between modern and old. Beer list is not great but it does have 3 Trappists beers along Corona!! Great place to watch Amsterdam lives go by, with the trams and cyclists. Background music is laid-back jazz, which used to be common in Dutch cafes when I first started going in them! The opening hours are from 1500 hours on weekdays.

 

John 7/10 visit Oct 2008

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JEWISH QUARTER, PLANTAGE, OOST ( East )

Biertuin, Linnaeusstraat 29, Amsterdam 1093.

Web site- http://www.debiertuin.nl/

Wonderful café in a nice setting close to Oosterpak. The large beer patio at the front is not being used today, due to heavy rain. Impressive beer menu with 12 taps on, including Brew Dog Punk IPA, as well as a strong bottled beer menu list mainly from Belgium and the Netherlands. Modern décor with bare brick walls, wooden tables and chairs, and a nice laid-back atmosphere. The café is close to the tram stop (Tram number 9 , stop Eerste Van Swindenstraat) which is just as well, as it is bucketing down today! I had a Orval at 4.25 Euros.

John 9/10 visit Sept 2015 

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Boulevard, Cruquiusweeg 3, Amsterdam 1019

Web site http://www.boulevardcafe.nl/

 

Large converted station in East Amsterdam ( reachable by tram ). Rather food-orientated with large dining area but the bar at the other end is friendly locals' part. Service very good. Columbus beer excellent.

Sue 7.5/10 visit Feb 2001

Depending how quickly you walk, this pub is a 5 or 10 minutes walk from the IJ brewery- in this under pub part of town. Nice modern café with half the café for eating and half for drinking. Background music is from the 60’s. Bell at the end of the bar is like a English pub, not so sure about the Fosters sign!

 

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2008

 

Café in a non-tourist part of town which was an ex-railway station. Lots of different areas including a upstairs bar area, dining area and downstairs drinking area. Décor is modern and trendy, but with old posters. A good beer menu and helpful service. Different place, but pleasant.

John 8/10 visit Feb 2001

 

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Brouwerij t'IJ, Funenkade 7, Amsterdam 1018

Web site http://www.brouwerijhetij.nl/

OPENING HOURS 1500 to 2000 Daily

 

The thing I like about this place is it independent spirit. It just does IJ beers, wine, soft drinks and a few snacks. So when they say brewery tap or tasting room they mean it. When you consider they could make more money from food and spirits-and make the opening hours longer, you have to take your hat off to them. Drink in the only windmill in central Amsterdam. Well worth the effort to get here. Strong beers are good value.

 

John 10/10 visit Oct 2008

 Home brew pub (which opened in 1984) in a windmill! A must for any serious beer drinker visiting Amsterdam, despite the limited opening hours ( see above ) and a 15-minute walk from Central Station. The beers are excellent, the décor is basic but the place has a lot of character, including a great collection of bottled beers (empty ) from all over the world, on shelves around the walls. Now with a new entrance and longer bar and more room. Half the area has seats and other half for stand up drinkers.  Best place for beer value in Amsterdam. Great place

John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2011

A wonderful brew pub about 20 minutes walk from central station. The pub was once a bath house but now serves its own beer. Downstairs is a lower seating area. You can't miss it as it is by a windmill. The walls are adorned by hundreds of beer bottles. Pilzen, Y bock, Zatte and Columbus are some of the characterful beers on tap.

Stuart 9/10 Oct 2003

Best value beer place in town with Pizen 2.10 euros, Natte and Zatte 2.40 euros, Columbus 2.60 euros and Bok 2.50 euros. Good friendly atmosphere at time of visit; most tourist move on after one beer, but stay longer and get to know the locals!

John 9.5/10 visit Oct 2012

Very busy at 1800 hours on a Thursday. Notice the following changes- more space behind the bar, a serving hatch for the snacks, a coach party leaving and now taking credit cards. Still the same- the opening hours, local regulars and the beer still good. Pilsen was 2.40 Euros and Natte was 2.70 Euros.

John 9/10 visit Sept 2015

This place has changed a lot over the years; also a lot more tourists seem to get out here now,  who are not put off by the odd opening hours! IJ Pilsner was 2.60 Euros and IJ IPA was 3.10 Euros.

John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2017
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Cafe Dorst, Zeeburgerdijk 3, Amsterdam 1093

 

Web site www.cafedorst.nl

 

A café in a nice canal side location, opposite the IJ brewery café. Outside drinking area is overlooking the canal, which must be nice in the summer. No great beer range here, but they did have one beer on draught from the IJ brewery. Weight lifting from Eurosport on the TV.

 

John 6/10 visit Nov 2011

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De Bamboeseur, Plantage Parklaan 10, Amsterdam 1018.

Web site http://www.bamboeseur.nl/index0.html

Café at a busy tram/road junction. Decked out in Palm beers colours. High ceiling café with old photos and beer logos on the walls. Five beers on draught, including Brand meibock! and Affigem, but not a great choice of bottled beers. There's a snack and a main course menu.

John 7.5/10 visit June 2004

De Druif, Rapenburgerplein 83, Amsterdam 1011

Café and jenever bar with good view of Nieuwe Herengracht canal. A place to watch the boats come and go. Relaxed atmosphere and modern art - paintings of fruit - contrast with downstairs jenever casks and pretty chandelier lights

Sue 8.5/10 visit Feb 2001

Managed to get a seat by a window where we were able to watch the canal boats which were waiting to use the nearby lock. Seems to be a café of two parts; with the area by the bar being traditional stand up locals' and the seating at the back with modern art paintings.

John 7.5/10 visit June 2004

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East Of Eden, Linnaeusstraat 11, Amsterdam 1093

Very arty café near the zoo. Lots of tropical plants, wicker and wood furniture, and pictures of James Dean (and sadly, Clint Eastwood! ).  Mural of elephants behind bar. 'Cool' music. Amstel 1870 very nice.

Sue 8.5/10 visit Feb 2001

A nice grand café with a James Dean/ Indonesian theme. Pictures of James Dean around the walls. Tropical plants, wicker chairs and a ceiling fan giving it a Indonesian look. A few Ij beers give the place more beer choice. One to come into and read your newspapers.

John 8/10 visit Feb 2001

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Eik En Linde, Plantage Middenlaan 22, Amsterdam 1018

Web site http://www.eikenlinde.nl/

A great traditional café, off the tourist track, making it a friendly regulars' place. Nice old prints and posters around the wooden walls, locals - and cat! - on the bar stools. Locals playing what looks like Dutch bar billiards. Nice friendly laid-back atmosphere. Closed Sundays.

John 8.5/10 visit June 2004

Regulars local with a few international beers. Pub was just around the corner from my hotel. Busy for a late Monday night; just got the last seat in the corner. Duvel was 3.80 euros, Texel on draught was 3.20 euros.

John 8/10 visit Oct 2012

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Elsa's, Middenweg 73, Amsterdam 1098.

Web site http://www.elsascafe.nl/

Café way out of the centre on the number 9 tram route. Nice traditional place with a sleeping cat on the soft red cushion seats!! Beer choice is just above average, but it does have 3 IJ bottled beers. A low lighting cosy sort of place. Outside seating area at the front for the summer, and the smokers in the winter.

 

John 7.5//10 visit Oct 2008

 

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Entredok, Entrepotdok 64, Amsterdam 1018

A cafe in the of a modern block of apartments. While the place is new, it's trying to be traditional, with what looks like fishing nets over the ceiling! Does have a nice cosy feel to it. Outside drinking area. Not easy to find - follow the canal.

John 8/10 visit Oct 1999

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Groene Olifant, Sarphatistraat 510, Amsterdam 1018

Nice traditional café, with lots of mirrors and a raised seating area at the back. Café has a reasonably priced menu, as well as a good choice of bottled beers. Close to the Brouwerij 't IJ, which closes at 21-00, so a lot of people move on here.

John 8/10 visit Oct 1999

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Maxwell, Beukenplein 27, Amsterdam 1092.

Web site- http://www.maxwellcafe.nl/index.html

Walking past this place it claims to do Amsterdam beer, so I give it a try. There are 3 draught ( all 4.95 euros) and 14 bottled beers ( all 4.25 Euros) from Amsterdam; not bad! Another laid-back Amsterdam café with lots of hanging plants around the place. Had a bottle of Two Chefs Green Bullet, a nice Dutch IPA.

John 7/10 visit Sept 2015

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Pension Homeland, Kattenburgerstraat 5, Amsterdam 1018.

Web site- http://www.pensionhomeland.com/en/

Nice place, 15 minute walk to the East of Central Station on Oosterdok. A former Dutch navy station with some good waterside views. An upmarket place with lots of windows .The café has its own brewery, with 5 beers from the brewery on the taps, plus Jopen and Heineken. Had a Spelt beer from the brewery at 3.50 Euros. Not easy to find, walk through the barrier, turn right and on the left side you will see Pension Homeland sign. Nice pub cat!

John 8/10 visit Nov 2017

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Proeflokaal Het Gemaal, Flevopark 13, Amsterdam 1095.

 

This café is in the middle of Flovopark, a place where most tourists don’t get to, Flovopark is at the end of the number 14 tram route. A café with  its own jenever distillery, you can see it through a glass window. As with most jeneve bars it has a usual beer range, this time it is Conrad from the Czech Republic and Riedienburger. Modern décor with wooden chairs and tables. Outside drinking area is fairly full on a sunny November day.

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2011

 

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Scharrebier, Rapenburgerplein 1, Amsterdam 1011

Web site http://www.scharrebier.nl/

Also in East Amsterdam; a small locals' café near new development ( yuppie ) area. Candles on tables, and board games and papers provided for locals. Felt it hadn't changed in years. Brand beer good.

Sue 8/10 visit Feb 2001

Traditional brown café with a lot of atmosphere and character, it seems like nothing changes here too much over the years (look at the ceiling!), which is nice to see for a place close to the centre. Good range of Brand beers on draught, not badly priced at 1.70 Euros..

 John 8/10. Visit June 2004

One of Mike’s favourite places in Amsterdam,  with an above average beer range in a lovely brown café. The Orval was 4.30 Euros.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2016

 

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Café 'T Sluyswacht, Jodenbreestraat 1, Amsterdam 1011

Web site   http://www.sluyswacht.nl

 

A very interesting café on junction of canals, with lovely views. Food( snack ) menu good, as is Leffe Blonde. Reputed to lean but seemed quite stable to me! Friendly atmosphere and service. Door open, so a little noisy, but good otherwise.

Sue 8.5/10 visit Feb 2001

An ex-lock-keeper's house, built in 1695, that looks like it's leaning, which has a lot of charm and character. If it's crowded there is a seating area upstairs. Good views out of the window of the canals and Amsterdam's only floating 'coffee' shop! There is seating outside in the summer as well. Six beers on draught as well as some good snacks.

John  9/10 visit Oct 2003

Wonderful little café by the canal which has been here since the 16th century. T'J ?? beer available. A lower and upper seating area.

Stuart 8/10 visit 2003

Whilst in central Amsterdam, this cafe is not near too many transport links, which might explain why I don’t visit this good pub more often? Café is on two floors with great views out to the canal. The beer list is Inbev including Dommelsch, Leffe and Hoegraaden. This is great place to drink outside in summer, and to watch the boats go by in the warmth of the café in the winter.

 

John 9/10 visit Nov 2009   

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NORTH AMSTERDAM

Oedipus Brewing, Gedempt Hamerkanaal 85, North Amsterdam 1021.

Web site- http://www.oedipusbrewing.com/

Fri 1500-2100 sat 1400-2100

Like the Butchers Tears, this is a brewery tap on an industrial estate, but here you can see  people bottling the beer on an early Friday afternoon.  The 10 beers are on a blackboard above the bar, in their different beer styles. Had a Nestje at 3.50 Euros, which was a Pale Ale. There are benches and tables inside and outside, with flowers in beer bottles. Friendly staff, nice place, nice beer. Worth the trip to ‘non-tourists’ North Amsterdam. Opening hours Friday 1500 to 2100 hours, Saturday 1400 to 21 hours.

John 8.5/10 visit Sept 2015

Getting there;

Get the North Amsterdam ferry at the back of central station; there are 2 ferries you need to get the Ijplein ferry. From there it’s a 10 minute walk to the brewery, maybe longer, but I tend to walk faster when I know there is a beer at the end of the journey! See contact section on the web site for a map.

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Ot En Sien, Buiksloterweg 27, North Amsterdam 1031

Web site http://www.otensien.nl/

 

A lovely café, easily reached by a 5 minute ferry trip. Locals' atmosphere, very warm (snowing outside). Seemed untouched by tourists (who seldom visit) but very pretty; on canal side, with houseboats outside. Inside, flowers on tables, candles and cosy fireplace. Would recommend it but it would be a shame if it became a touristy bar!

Sue 9/10 visit Feb 2001

Opening hours at the moment are 1200 to 0100 hours. This means you can get the ferry in the daylight, when it is not so cold in winter. A café of great character next to some houseboats- I wouldn’t mind living there! Interesting old black and white aerial photo of central Amsterdam showing the canals. Only 6 draught beers-4 are Belgian and 7 strong bottled beers, again mainly Belgian. Ten minutes ago (5 minutes ferry ride, 5 minutes walk) I was at crowded Amsterdam central station, now in an oasis of calm! Pub cat is asleep at the table next to me!

 

John 9/10 visit Oct 2008

 

If you want to go to a total non-tourist bar, then this is it. To get there, go to the back of Central Station, get the free ferry to North Amsterdam. (It’s the one with the clock counting the time to the next ferry) Then walk straight, follow the road bending left, and it's the first right. 400 yards walk tops. Nice cosy place with relaxing atmosphere. Good beer choice. Not many people get to this side of Amsterdam. Worth a visit.

John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2003

Get the free ferry from Central station to North Amsterdam. Picturesque old café in a terrace. Sandwiches served at lunch time. Small beer garden to the rear. Witkap Pater on draft.

Stuart 8/10 visit Oct 2003

THIS CAFÉ IS NOW CLOSED

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Cafe t Sluisje, Nieuwendammerdijk 297, Amsterdam 1025.

Web site- http://www.cafehetsluisje.nl/

After the closure of the Ot En Sien, it is good to find another café in North Amsterdam, even if it is not easy to get to. This café, which was built in 1904, wins on two counts; first the outside drinking has  good views of the harbour on a nice sunny day and when it is cold the inside is traditional and cosy with lots of old photos on the wall. Average beer list with a few interesting beers; I had a Westmalle Dubbel on draught at 4.20 Euros.

John 9/10 visit Sept 2016

To get to this cafe take the 32 bus from Central Station to the Wervershoofstraat stop, café is a few minutes’ walk, but check on google map for route and the web site for opening hours.

 

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 WEST of CITY CENTRE

Café Brel, Van Hallstraat 37, Amsterdam 1051.

Web site-  http://cafe-brel.nl/

Locals cafe close to the tram 10 terminal. The café stocks only Belgian beer, when you walk in you can see  standard Belgian draught beers taps, but there are offers on some more unusual beers and an above average bottled range. Had a Orval at 5 Euros. Opens 1500 hours daily.

John 7/10 visit Nov 2017

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De Goulden Reaal, Zandhoek 14, Amsterdam 1013.

 

Web site-  www.goudenreael.nl

 

This pub is a little out of town, but has a nice location by a canal bridge. Maybe not a big beer choice-apart from 5 Trappist bottled beers-for a worthwhile visit, but a okay place none the less. Outside seating area by the canal bridge in the summer. Large painting on the wall which are showing the water and Central Station.

 

John 7/10 visit Oct 2008

 

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Eetcafe Rosereijn, Harlemmerdijk 52, Amsterdam 1013.

 

Web site-  www.roseeijn.nl

 

First the area; while west of central station this area is non-tourist with some interesting shops and a lively atmosphere. Some of tables in this café are for food, but most people are drinking beer. The beer range is not Heineken or Amstel, it is Belgian but sadly it is Inbev! Nice-laid café with the standard low lighting and candles, as well as a pub cat which is just going into the back room because it is getting too crowded and there is nowhere to sit!!

 

John 7/10 Oct 2008

 

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Troost, Pazzanistraat 27, Amsterdam 1014.

Web site- http://brouwerijtroost.nl/westergas-amsterdam/

Troost second brew pub in Amsterdam is in Westerpark; like the first brew pub it does no cash. The brewery is clear to see and there are 11 beers on the menu including 4 beers for a flight for 10 Euros. The pilsner is 2.80 ( reasonable for Amsterdam) and the other individual  beers are between 3.65 to 5 Euros. The décor is young and trendy, as are the clientele! Nice relaxing low light and candles’ sort of atmosphere. Opens 1600 hours daily.

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2017

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HAARLEM

Haarlem is a 15 minute train ride from Amsterdam Central Station. A more traditional Dutch town than Amsterdam, with a impressive Cathedral in the centre as well as some interesting cafes. Well worth a visit. First visited in September 2002, Revisited in November 2011.

Briljant, Lange Annastraat 33, Haarlem 2011

 

Web site www.cafebriljant.nl

 

Small café down a back street to the South of the town centre, with a great range of Belgian beers in bottles and on draught. Had a Ranke XX Bitter, a great beer. Sadly, I was the only person in the café in the early evening. The friendly barmaid (who was impressed I found this place) and good music made up for it! Closed Monday and Tuesday, opens 1600 hours Saturday and Sunday and opens 1700 hours Wednesday to Friday.

 

John 8.5/10 visit Nov 2011

 

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Bruxelles, Lange Wijngaardstraat 16, Haarlem, 2012

Web site http://www.cafebruxelles.nl/

Walk down this quiet side street, it will make you wonder if you will ever find a café. But you will see it. Inside instead of a quiet local, it's full of people creating a lively atmosphere. Good range of beers, including Lindeboom. Children's paintings on the wall, or is it modern art! Nice Place.

John 8.5/10 visit Sept 2002

This café is the nearest to the station, down a back street. A nice cosy sort of place with paintings on the wall, no longer children’s paintings ( see previous review!). Most of the draught beer was bok, out of the bok season it is Jopen, according to the beer menu, which has a lot of Belgian bottled beer, but no prices. Opens 1700 hours daily.

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2011

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De Gooth, Botermarkt 19, Haarlem 2011

Web site http://www.cafedegooth.nl/

 Café in a row of cafes, in a traffic free square. Long narrow bar which widens out at the back. Cosy dim lit atmosphere with locals playing cards. Seats out the front. Poor bar service had to wait 10 minutes to be served, and their was two people behind the bar on a slow Sunday!

John 6/10 visit Sept 2002

A café of three areas. First, the outside drinking area at the front of the café, then a conservatory area at the front of the café, and then the café itself, which gets browner the further you walk in. The draught beer range is Baveria, with a few interesting bottled beers. A low-lighting and candles sort of place. Had Jopen bok beer.

 

John 7/10 visit Nov 2011

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In Den Uiver, Riviervismarket 13, Haarlem 2011

 

Web site www.indenuiver.nl

 

Easily the most atmospheric place in Haarlem. The décor reminds me of the De Wildeman in Amsterdam, with its light green wooden walls and wooden floorboards.  There are lots of photos and posters of retro KLM planes all around the walls.  A great choice of jenevers, as well as some specialist beers. The friendly waitress recommends the Gulpner Neubourg Pils, which was good. Great place to relax in. My favourite café in Haarlem. Opens from 1400 hours Friday to Sunday and 1600 hours the rest of the week.

 

John 10/10 visit Nov 2011

 

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Jopenkerk, Vestestraat 1, Haarlem 2011

 

Web site www.jopen.nl/jopenkerk

 

A brew pub in an ex-church. Wonderful building with a wonderful atmosphere. Modern décor, with the brewing vessels behind the bar. Impressive etched-glass coloured windows, with the tables set out like a German beer hall. The upstairs bar area doesn’t seem to be used at the moment. Full range of Jopen beers on offer, had the Extra Stout at £3.70 euros, which was lovely, as are most Jopen beers. Great place.

 

John 9.5/10 visit Nov 2011

 

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Koops, Damstraat 4, Haarlem 2011

 

Web site www.cafekoops.nl

 

This café has a small beer range, but this a café of character. This is a good regulars place in the centre of town. Friendly waitress and locals at the bar. This place has wood, wood, and more wood, plus low lighting and laid-back background music. This is a well run place with the waitress regular wandering by looking for empty glasses, when not serving. The café also offers free soup. Opens from 1600 hours daily.

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2011  

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Melkwoud, Zijlstraat 63, Haarlem 2011

Web site www.melkwoud.nl

Nice atmospheric brown café, with a impressive front door. Cosy feeling inside from the bad weather outside. Traditional down to the sawdust on the floor. Good choice of draught beers, as well as some good bottled beers. Melkwoud means Milkwood, so it was once owner by a Dylan Thomas fan.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2002

I like this place, a traditional café which has not changed much since my last visit. The draught beer list is mainly Belgian and Inbev; the De Konick makes a welcome change! The café is narrow with a little glass room at the back with room for no more than 8 people, full up with people smoking in it!! Café is in the middle of a shopping street and is easily missed! Opens from 1600 hours daily.

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2011

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Roemer, Botermarkt 17, Haarlem 2011

 

Web site www.caferoemer.nl

 

Next door to Café De Gooth. The inside of this café while tradition is newish with mirrors and the wood panelled walls. The draught beer includes La Trappee and Jopen, the bottled beer menu makes for interesting reading, with sections for Trappists, Abbey, and Dutch micros. There is also a beer from Brew Dog in Scotland. Had an Orval at $4.60 euros. Nice relaxing place.

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2011

 

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Stadscafe, Zijlstraat 63, Haarlem 2011

Large café with modern décor. Has a upstairs seating area as well as a old red English telephone! Interesting etched-glass on the ground floor. Not a bad choice of draught beers.

John 7.5/10 visit Sept 2002

No longer a pub.

Nov 2011

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Studio, Grote Markt 25, Haarlem 2011

Web site   http://www.cafestudio.nl/

Lively place on the main square next to the cathedral. Good range of beers including the local brewery Jopen. Décor is like a brown café, but there is no low lighting. Crowded but with a good atmosphere, seems to be a popular meeting place with the locals.

John 8/10 visit Sept 2002

A café which is right in the centre of town. Not a big beer menu but there is always something interesting on the menu, just like my last visit. There are two Jopen beers, on draught as well as some Belgian bottled beers. During the day this place is a regular café, but becomes more of a nightclub as the evening carries on.

 

John 8/10 visit Nov 2011

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UTRECHT

After Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands. It's mainly a university city. There are a lot of charming buildings here, especially in the traffic-free area between Oudegracht and the main railway station. It's half hour by train from Amsterdam. Beer-wise, there are two or three good beer cafes, but the city needs a few more to make it really interesting. If I mention the weather a little bit too much, it was one of those days, when it was rainy, windy, and sunny all in the space of one hour!

Belgie, Oudegracht 196, Utrecht 3511

As you walk into this café, on the right there is a blackboard with the cafes bottled beer list-and what a list it is! Well over 120 beers. While there are some global brands, most are interesting Belgian and Dutch beers. Next to this is a list of draught beers! 18 at the time of my visit. A little more standard, but there were 2 or 3 interesting micros, including Texel de Tripel, which was very tastily. The cafe has a lively student-type atmosphere, with a reasonably priced food menu. Some students are drinking orange juice and coffee! Maybe I will order a bottle of Duvel, next time I go into a tearoom! ( just joking ) Long narrow pub with white walls, with a few items of beer memorabilia around the place. It's pouring with rain outside at the moment; think I will have another beer.

John 9.5/10 visit June 2004

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Florin Utrecht, Nobelstraat 2, Utrecht 3512

Web site http://www.florinutrecht.nl/florin/

Former the Florin and Firkin, this was part of the Firkin pub chain which expanded into Europe. There was also one in The Hague, and another one in Paris. Pub still has the standard firkin décor, as well as the humour. It has deposits in the gents cubicles ( get it? ) nothing like a bit of English toilet humour ( No Mrs! ). Standard beer range. Good atmosphere tonight the Netherlands are playing Latvia in Euro 2004.( The Netherlands won 3-0 for the record. )

John 7/10 visit June 2004

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Heen & Weer, Donkergaard 13, Utrecht 3511

Web site http://theenenweer.hyves.nl/

I must admit I really like this place. It has a lot of charm as well as a traditional feel. Eccentric décor including various beer memorabilia. Small pub dog in a basket adds to the character of the café. There are some seats by the canal-side windows, as well as an outside drinking area by the canal, ( not today, its raining hard ). Beer range not great, but it does have some unusual bottled beers including Bavarian and La Trappe beers. There is also a pub cat. Steep stairs down to the loos.

John 8.5/10 visit June 2004

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Jan Primus, Jan Van Sorelstraat 27, Utrecht 3583

A café way out of the centre, but if you are a serious beer drinker it is well worth making the trip. About a 15 to 20 minute walk from Ledif Erf, unless you get a little lost like me-then it takes a bit longer. Straight away you feel like you have entered somewhere special, but apart from some beer memorabilia there is nothing outstanding about the décor. The regular beers are above the bar with their prices; there is a blackboard with guest beers. Had a Petrus Blond. Good beers, in friendly surroundings, what more can you ask? Opens from 15-00 hours.

John 9/10 visit June 2004

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Ledif Erf, Tolsteegburg 3, Utrecht 3511.

Web site http://www.ledigerf.nl/

The exterior of this pub is impressive, with the pub signs outside. Inside is nice as well, if a little less beery. The blackboard on the wall as 7 beers on draught, and about 50 in bottles. Whilst I know this is a chess pub, this place doesn't seem to have the drinking atmosphere of the Belgie. I can't put my finger my on it, but I am not over-comfortable here. This review might sound a little negative, but it is a nice place on a bridge at the end of Oudegracht.

John 8/10 visit June 2004

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Orloff, Donkeregaard 8, Utrecht 3511

Web site http://www.orloff.nl/utrecht/

Small café which has an airy feel to it, on a cobbled street near the canal. Standard Dutch café décor, wooden floor, tables, and chairs, and candles on the table. Mainly stocking Belgian beers on draught, Jupiler, Leffe and Palm. Toilets up a steep spiral stairs. Pub cat on the lookout for food.

John 7/10 visit June 2004

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Oudaen, Oudegracht 99, Utrecht 3511

Web site http://www.oudaen.nl/

When you walk in here you can't help but be impressed. It feels like a grand medieval dining hall, with lovely large old art paintings and a high ceiling. That's the good bit. It is also a brew pub, but you would never have guessed. With the brewery in the basement and the beers not mentioned on the menu, it certain seems to be more into food than drink. Busy at the time of visit. A good place for people from Utrecht to take visitors from out of town to impress them.

John 7.5/10 visit June 2004

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Stadscafe Heerenplein, Lucas Rolwerk 1, Utrecht 3512

Web site http://www.heerenplein.nl/

Another five minutes and I would have been alright! The heavens opened just before I got here; it wasn't easy to find where the address ( Lucas Rowerk 1 ) was, once I found the road. Still I have found a nice sanctuary, for the moment. Larger than most cafes in the Netherlands, with an island bar, this is a pleasant sort of pub. The various English pub signs around the walls are original. Not a great beer range.

John 7/10 visit June 2004

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THE HAGUE

While Amsterdam is the Dutch capital, The Hague is where the Dutch parliament is!  Coming out of The Hague central station is not promising with lots of ugly Modern buildings, five minutes it is better. The Peace palace is one impressive building. With Scheveningen part of The Hague, it now reaches the coast. Just enough pubs for a good pub crawl.

Het Brouwcafe, 28 Dr Lelykade, Scheveningen, Den Haag, 2583

Web site http://www.hetbrouwcafe.nl/

A brew pub which is in Scheveningen,10 minutes on the 11 tram from the city centre. Views overlooking the dock.  Modern building the décor has a cosy feel with various paintings and beer memorabilia on the wall. Four of the home-brew beers  are on plus Leffe and Choffe on draught as well as trappits bottled beers. The brewery section is a roped off area in the corner of the pub. Good relaxing sort of pub.

John  8.5/10 Oct 2007-

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Fiddler,  Riviervismarkt 1, Den Haag 2513

Web site   http://www.fiddler.nl/fiddler-nl/

Former the Fiddle and Firkin. One of two firkin chain pubs in The Netherlands. Claims to brew cask beers on the premises, but only London Pride on handpump. Décor is standard Firkin décor from a few years back in the UK with a red phone box and a upstairs drinking area. Pub has a giant sports screen and is popular with ex-pats. Wonder if the piano is used!!!

John 7/10 visit Oct 2007

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Botterwaag,  Grotemarkt 8A, Den Haag 2511

Web site http://www.grotemarktdenhaag.nl/grotemarkt

Boterwaag means butter weighting station which was the original function of this building. Mainly Interbev beers on draught with 30 bottled beers including some trappists beers. Atmospheric pub making the most brick walls, low lighting, candles and soft music to get you to chill out.

John 7/10 visit Oct 2007

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Dezwarte Ruiter  27 Grotemarkt, Den Haag 2511

Web site http://www.grotemarktdenhaag.nl/zwarteruiter

Claims to a bar/ restaurant which is a fair description. Not a great beer choice, but above. Mirrors make the place look bigger than is it. Small upstairs seating area to look down on people.

John 6/10 visit Oct 2007

De Paas, 16A Dunne Bierkade, Den Haag 2512

Web site www.depaas.nl

Best choice for beer in The Hague and a good pub into the bargain. Instead of a beer menu behind the bar who will see the beer bottles and their prices. Draught beers from Belgium, Finland, Germany as well as  the Netherlands. Cosy atmosphere with beer memorabilia on the walls. Outside one of The Hague’s few canals.

John 9/10 visit Oct 2007

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ROTTERDAM

Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam. Rotterdam is as modern as Amsterdam is old. To compare the two cities is unfair as they are both different places. Rotterdam is very much a working city. Drinking wise there is not much happening in the city centre. The two places I went to Delfshaven and Blaak have enough cafes close enough together to make an interesting pub crawl.

BLAAK

Directions

Go to Blaak metro station. Cambrinus is across the road from the station. Leave the back entrance of Cambrinus. Turn left and follow the harbour until the Weimar. Leave Weimar and turn left down Haringsvliet, you will get to a big dual-lane road, Hoofdstuk II is opposite. Turn right out of Hoofdstuk II, head towards Oostplein metro station. From the station Locus Pubilcus is one of the first buildings on the parade of shops on the right side.

Cambrinus, 4 Blaak, Rotterdam 3011

Web site  http://www.cambrinus.net/

Close to Blaak metro station in a modern building, which you will either love or hate. Inside is a fine drinking café with a good beer menu, and a good brown café décor and atmosphere. The front has street-level views of the road, the back has comfy seats and a terrace view of the harbour. A great café in a most unlikely building. Food cooked at the bar.

John 9/10 visit Dec 2004

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Weiner, 637 Haringvliet, Rotterdam 3011

Overlooking the same harbour as the Gambrinus. The front of this café has nice views of the harbour. there are lots of different rooms and alcoves around the back. A little less beery than the Gambrinus, it is still a find place. Has the full range of Gulpener beers on draught; the bock beer was good. Only me here on a Sunday winter's afternoon, I bet it's heaving in the summer!

John 8.5/10 visit Dec 2004

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Hoofdstuk II, 14 Oostmolenwerf, Rotterdam 3011

Web site  http://www.hoofdstuktwee.nl/

Another café with a harbour view. Nice. Just like the jazz background music which is nice! ( English joke ). The café says it’s a jazz music cafe, I am not sure if this means live jazz or not? The place is very much half eating and half drinking, and the two sides look like they are getting on fine together. A grand café with some nice touches, and alcoves.

John 8/10 visit Dec 2004
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Recommended

Locus Publicus, 364 Oostzeedijk, Rotterdam 3063.

Web site  http://www.locus-publicus.com

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DElFSHAVEN

Directions

Go to Delfshaven metro station. You come out on Schiedamseweg, walk down to 2A where Tapperij Vanouds t' Kraantje is. Turn right out of the café on to Aelbrechtskolk. On the right side at 29 Aelbrechtskolk is Rutte, a geneve bar which was close at the time of my visit. Then cross the first footbridge, turn left to 12 Aelbrechtskolk , De Pelgrim. Turn right out of the café, at the top of the road turn left. De Oude Sluis is to the left hand side.

Tapperij Vanouds t' Kraantje, 2A Schiedamseweg, Rotterdam 3025.

Web site http://www.biertapperij.nl/kraantje/index.htm

Traditional brown café, which looks like it's been around for a few years. Good choice of draught beers. Various old empty beer bottles and cans above the bar, old malt whisky cases which are also empty in the window. Café has a billard table which is not being used, as there is a big screen showing the match between local side Feijennord and PSV Enidhoven. Along with Ajax, these three sides always win the Dutch championship. So this is a big match!

John 8.5/10 visit Dec 2004

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De Pelgrim, 12 Aelbrechtskolk, Rotterdam 3042

Web site http://www.pelgrimbier.nl/

Brew pub in a great location in the historic docks area. The building is over 400 years old, and is a great conversion to a pub. The two brews I tried were both good. You can see and smell the brewery on the left as you walk in. It's a shame the dock wall stops you seeing the water. A little upmarket, but still cosy. Try the home-made apple pie, it's good.

John 9.5/10 visit Dec 2004

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De Oude Sluis, Havenstraat 7, Rotterdam 3042

Web site   http://www.trilobiet.nl/sluis/

Everyone heads for the back room with the views of the docks, which is great. But inside is interesting too, with original wooden carving on the wall as well as a few bits of beer memorabilia. Décor is basic, but the atmosphere is good. Makes for a good pub crawl with the two above cafes.

John 8/10 visit Dec 2004

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MAASTRICHT

 

Maastricht is the main town in the Dutch province of Limburg. Limburg is the South East enclave corner of the Netherlands. Close to the Belgian and German borders. Maastricht has a nice market town atmosphere. Apart from one cafe, all the cafes are reasonably close together. For a small town Maastricht has a good percentage of good café’s. It is a two and a half hour trip on the train from Amsterdam.

 

Cloche, Vrijhof 12, Maastricht 6211.

 

Web site www.lacloche.com

 

Traditional cafe next to the town’s main square, every building along this street seems to be a cafe. Wood panelled walls give the impression this café has been around for a few years. Beers on draught are from Grolsch, Gulpner, Palm and Grimbergen, but not so much choice in the bottled range. Outside drinking which is being used by people on this cold winter’s day; maybe the patio heaters help!

 

John 7/10 visit Oct 2008

 

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In Den Ouden Vogelstruys, Vrijhof 5, Maastricht 6211.

 

Web site  www.vogelstruys.nl

 

A Cafe which is a few doors down from the Cloche. Like the Cloche the atmosphere is traditional. On their wood-panelled are photos of the square and drawings of people who I take to be the regulars.  That is a nice touch. Café is small and was crowded at the time, so what’s it like in the summer? I hate to guess! Beer range is average.

 

John 7/10 visit Oct 2008

 

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Falstaff, Amorsplein 6, Maastricht 6211.

 

Web site  www.cafe-falstaff.com

 

A Cafe which is next to a small square. Décor is modern with a white tiled floor and a exposed brick bar. Good choice of beers with 9 beers on draught and trappists, abbey and specialist Belgian bottled beers, as well as international mainstream beers. Walls are only half-full of beer memorabilia, so either they ran out of money or they are building it up! There is an upstairs drinking area and a small outside drinking. Friendly locals at the time of my visit.

 

John 8/10 visit Oct 2008

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Pothuiske, Het Bat 1, Masstricht 6211.

 

Web site  www.pothuiske.nl

 

A Cafe close to the River Maas, it is across the road. As well as a nice location this is a great little café, with a varied choice of beers. There are 12 beers on draught and over 70 bottled beers. The bottled beers are displayed on the walls with their matching glasses! Can’t see that happening in an English pub! Nice slate floor makes the place seem cosy and old. Along with the beer memorabilia on the wall there are photos of Old Maastricht. Good café.

 

John 9/10 visit Oct 2008

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De Poshoorn, Stationsstraat 47, Masstricht 6221.

 

Web site www.poshoorn.nl

 

Café which is close to the station, and is bigger than it looks on the outside. There is a lot of wood of the polished sort around the café. Like the Pothuiske the beers are displayed around the walls, with matching bottles and glasses. There are 12 beers on draught and a good range of bottled beers-mainly Belgian. Usually beer memorabilia around the walls. Lively atmosphere with a good mix of people.

 

John 9/10 visit Oct 2008

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Take One, Rechstraat 28, Maastricht 6221.

 

Web site   www.takeonebiercafe.nl

 

This café has everything for the beer lover. You feel the atmosphere the moment you step into this place. Long narrow bar where the walls are full of beer memorabilia-mainly beer mats. There is a tap for Heineken, but the other taps are more interesting! Bottled beers can be seen in the fridge next to the bar; with a good choice of Belgian beers. Your beer is served with shelled nuts; you are encouraged to throw the empty shells on the floor. Great place with a lot of character. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday, opens 1600 hours other days.

 

John 10/10 visit Oct 2008

 

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Speciaal Bierencafe, Dopplerdomein 20A. Masstricht 6229.

 

This is the only cafe away from the town centre. Like most Dutch towns the centre is old and the farther out you go it becomes more modern. Like in this case; a modern café surrounded by modern houses. Traditional inside, with wooden tables and chairs, low lighting and candles. Good choice of beers as the name of the café suggests-with 13 beers on draught including Chateau Nenbourg. Windows all around the café, but there is nothing to look out at!  The loos are upstairs.

 

John 8/10 visit Oct 2008