Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pull up a stool at the carved wooden bar and make your choice from the glinting brass
taps. It's all about Belgian beers here, as you may have surmised. Eight flow from the
spouts, and 30 or so are available in bottles. The ambience is quintessential
gezellig
(cosy)
and draws lots of chilled-out locals. There's live music and DJs some nights.
(
www.cafe-bel-
from 2pm;
4/9/16/24/25 Dam)
25
In de Olofspoort
The door of this brown cafe-tasting room was once the city gate. It's a great place to go
for more heady liqueurs after Wynand Fockink shuts. A crew of regulars has dedicated
bottles stocked just for them. Check out the jaw-dropping selection behind the backroom
bar. Occasional singalongs add to the atmosphere.
(
BROWN CAFE
624 39 18;
www.olofspoort.com
; Nieuwebrug-
steeg 13;
from 4pm Wed & Thu, from 3pm Fri-Sun;
4/9/16/24/25 Centraal Station)
26
't Mandje
BROWN CAFE
Amsterdam's oldest gay bar opened in 1927, then shut in 1982, when the Zeedijk grew too
seedy. But its trinket-covered interior was lovingly dusted every week until it reopened in
2008. The devoted bartenders can tell you stories about the bar's brassy lesbian founder.
It's one of the most
gezellig
places in the centre, gay or straight.
(
www.cafetmandje.nl
; Zeedijk 63;
closed Mon;
4/9/16/24/25 Centraal Station)
27
Café de Barderij
This friendly, candlelit bar draws a mixture of local gay regulars and tourists. It has killer
views of the canal out back and Zeedijk in front, making it a must on Queen's Day. Come
on Mondays and Wednesdays when the bar serves a two-course homemade Dutch meal
(€12.50) in the basement. A gay crowd flocks here on Sundays for free meatballs.
(
www.barderij.com
;
Zeedijk 14;
BAR
4/9/16/24/25 Centraal Station)
28
Brouwerij De Prael
BEER CAFE
