Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NIGHTLIFE
Amsterdam hotels serve breakfast until 11:00 because so many
people—visitors and locals—live for nighttime in Amsterdam.
On summer evenings, people flock to the main squares for
drinks at outdoor tables. Leidseplein is the liveliest, surrounded
by theaters, restaurants, and nightclubs. The slightly quieter
Rembrandtplein (with adjoining Thorbeckeplein and nearby
Reguliersdwarsstraat) is the center of gay clubs and nightlife. Spui
features a full city block of bars. And Nieuwmarkt, on the east
edge of the Red Light District, is a bit rough, but is probably the
most local.
The Red Light District (particularly Oudezijds Achterburg-
wal) is less sleazy in the early evening, almost carnival-like, as the
neon comes on and the streets fill with tour groups. But it starts to
feel scuzzy after about 22:30 (
J
see Red Light District Walk, page
88).
Information
Pick up one of these free papers for listings of festivals and perfor-
mances of theater, film, dance, cabaret, and live rock, pop, jazz, and
classical music.
Amsterdam Weekly
is a free, local English-language
paper that lists cutting-edge art, movies, and concerts (available in
bookstores every Wed, see list on pages 36-37, also online at www
.amsterdamweekly.nl). The irreverent
Boom!
has the lowdown on
the youth and nightlife scene, and it's packed with practical tips
and countercultural insights (includes €3 discount on the Boom
Chicago R-rated comedy theater act described on the next page,
available at TIs and many bars).
Uitkrant
is in Dutch, but it's just a
calendar of events, and anyone can figure out the name of the event
and its date, time, and location (available at TIs and many bars).
