Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Many Amsterdam hotels serve breakfast until 11:00 because so many people—visitors and
locals—live for nighttime in this city.
On summer evenings, people flock to the main squares for drinks at outdoor tables.
Leidseplein is the liveliest square, surrounded by theaters, restaurants, and nightclubs.
The slightly quieter Rembrandtplein (with adjoining Thorbeckeplein and nearby Reguli-
ersdwarsstraat)isthecenterofgayclubsandnightlife.Spuifeaturesafullcityblockofbars.
And Nieuwmarkt, on the east edge of the Red Light District, is a bit rough, but is probably
the least touristy.
The Red Light District (particularly Oudezijds Achterburgwal) is less sleazy in the early
evening, and almost carnival-like as the neon lights come on and the streets fill with tour
groups. But it starts to feel scuzzy after about 22:30.
Newsstands sell
Time Out Amsterdam
and Dutch newspapers (Thu editions generally list
events). The free, irreverent
Boom!
has the basics on the youth and nightlife scene, and is
packed with practical tips and countercultural insights (includes €5 discount on Boom Ch-
icago comedy theater act described on next page; available at TIs and many bars).
Uitkrant
isinDutch,butit'sjustacalendarofevents,andanyonecanfigureoutthenameoftheevent
and its date, time, and location (available at TIs, bars, and bookstores).
Box Office:
The
AUB/Last Minute Ticket Shop
at Stadsschouwburg Theater is the
best one-stop-shopping box office for theater, classical music, and major rock shows. The
Last Minute window sells half-price, same-day tickets to certain shows; half-price sales
start at noon (Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-18:00, Leidseplein 26, tel.
0900-0191—€0.40/minute,
www.lastminuteticketshop.nl
)
.
You'll find classical music at the
Concertgebouw
(free 12:30 lunch concerts on Wed;
arrive at 12:00 for best first-come, first-serve seating; at far south end of Museumplein, tel.
0900-671-8345,
www.concertgebouw.nl
). For chamber music and contemporary works, vis-
it the
Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ,
a mod concert hall on the waterfront, near the train station
(Piet Heinkade 1, tel. 020/788-2000,
www.muziekgebouw.nl
). For opera and dance, try the
opera house
in the Stopera building (Waterlooplein 22, tel. 020/625-5455). In the summer,
Vondelpark hosts open-air concerts.
Three of Amsterdam's historic churches have extensive music programs. In summer, the
Westerkerk
hasfreelunchtimeconcertsonFridaysat13:00(April-Oct)plusanannualBach
