Amsterdam isn’t just about canals, bikes, and coffee shops. When the sun sets, the city transforms into a buzzing playground of bars, live music, and late-night energy.
If you’re planning a pub crawl or just want to experience the city's nightlife at its best, knowing where to go is everything.
Here’s a district-by-district breakdown of where to drink, dance, and crawl your way through the night — whether it’s your first time or your tenth trip to Amsterdam.
Leidseplein: The Classic Party Zone
Leidseplein is one of Amsterdam’s most famous nightlife areas — and for good reason. Here, you’ll find a mix of nightclubs, Irish pubs, terrace bars, and cocktail lounges. It's the ideal place to start your crawl.
Top Spots:
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Café Cooldown (casual start)
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Bulldog Palace (touristy but fun)
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Bubbels Bar (karaoke + late-night energy)
Rembrandtplein: Dance Floors & DJ Nights
This area leans a bit more clubby than Leidseplein, making it great for later in your crawl. Packed with large venues, flashing lights, and loud beats.
Top Spots:
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Club Smokey (bar-meets-club)
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Air (for deep house and techno lovers)
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Café de Kroon (great terrace for pre-game drinks)
De Pijp: Laid-back & Local
For a more chill, authentic vibe, head to De Pijp. Think trendy bars, craft beer spots, and a younger local crowd. Perfect for groups who want something more than just shots and shouting.
Top Spots:
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Kingfisher Café (craft beer)
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Brouwerij Troost (local brews)
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GlouGlou (natural wine + stylish crowd)
Jordaan: Historic Charm Meets Hidden Bars
If you like your night with a bit of atmosphere, the Jordaan is full of cozy cafés, hidden bars, and canal-side hangouts. Less hectic, more charming — great for small groups.
Top Spots:
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Café Nol (Dutch sing-alongs)
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't Smalle (historic canal-side bar)
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Hiding in Plain Sight (cocktail lovers, take note)
Red Light District (De Wallen): Wild & Touristy
Touristy? Yes. Overrated? Not always. The Red Light District is packed with dive bars, smoky lounges, and party tourists. Ideal for chaotic energy and people-watching.
Top Spots:
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Excalibur Bar (rock + skulls + beer)
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Café Remember (small but loud)
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Molly Malone’s (Irish pub near the canal)
Nieuwmarkt: Old-School Amsterdam Vibes
Less flashy, more soulful. Nieuwmarkt offers a great mix of traditional Dutch cafés and newer, hip bars. It’s central, but less chaotic than its neighbors.
Top Spots:
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Café Cuba (salsa and strong cocktails)
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In de Waag (inside a medieval gate)
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Café Fonteyn (great beer selection)
Best Route for a DIY Pub Crawl
Want to combine the best of everything? Start early in De Pijp, work your way through the Jordaan, grab a snack in Nieuwmarkt, and end with chaos in Rembrandtplein or Leidseplein.
Suggested Route:
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Troost Brewery – chill start
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't Smalle – local vibes
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Cuba – cocktails + music
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Smokey – dance floor
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Bubbels – karaoke & shots
Or skip the planning and download our ready-made route PDF with 9 curated bars, drinking rules, scorecard and bonus dares → Pub Crawl Amsterdam
Local Drinks to Try During Your Crawl
Don’t just drink what you know — Amsterdam has some unique local flavors worth exploring.
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Jenever: The Dutch grandfather of gin. Try it straight or with a beer chaser.
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Dutch craft beers: Try ones from Brouwerij ’t IJ, Oedipus, or Troost.
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Vieux: A Dutch-style brandy that’s sneaky strong.
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Dutch apple schnapps: Sweet, dangerous, and surprisingly good after hole 6.
Amsterdam Bar Crawl FAQs
Q: What time do bars close in Amsterdam?
A: Most bars are open until 2–3AM, clubs even later (5–6AM on weekends).
Q: Is it safe to bar hop at night?
A: Yes, Amsterdam is generally safe — but always stay in groups and watch your drinks.
Q: Are drinks expensive?
A: Expect €4–6 for beer, €8–12 for cocktails. Some bars have happy hours until 9PM.
Ideal Group Size for a Pub Crawl
Pub crawls work best in groups of 4 to 8 people. That’s enough for energy and games, but small enough to stay together.
Bigger than 10? Expect delays, bathroom lines, and group splits unless you have a crawl captain.
Themed Crawls: Take It Up a Notch
Want to turn heads and boost the vibe? Add a theme to your crawl. Amsterdam loves a bit of madness.
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Golf gear for pub golf
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Hawaiian shirts for summer vibes
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Matching white t-shirts with markers for dares
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Royal theme (crowns, robes, knighted by beer)
Themed groups often get better attention at bars — and better group photos too.
Mid-Crawl Snack Stops (That Save Lives)
Drinking on an empty stomach is a fast way to end the night early. Here are some great places to grab a bite mid-crawl:
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Febo (Leidseplein): Dutch vending machine snacks. Greasy perfection.
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Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx (near Spui): Legendary fries with sauces.
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Foodhallen (De Pijp): A bit classier, great for groups.
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Late Night Pizza (Nieuwmarkt): Fuel for the final holes.
Create Your Own Scoring System
Want to play full pub golf? Create scoring that fits your vibe. Here’s a basic template:
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Par 1 = Shot of hard liquor (in one go)
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Par 2 = Small beer or wine
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Par 3 = Large beer or cocktail
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1 stroke penalty for bathroom breaks
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Bonus: Assign mini-games like 'drink with your non-dominant hand' or 'order in Dutch'
Why a Pre-Made Route Is a Game-Changer
Sure, you can wing it. But a crawl with structure, challenges, and dares is a whole different level of fun.
With our pre-made Amsterdam Pub Crawl Route PDF, you get:
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16 curated bars
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Drink challenges and questions
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Full scorecard
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Google Maps-ready route
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Group dares and rules
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Tips for pacing and recovery
No more debating where to go. No time wasted. Just straight-up chaos and laughs.
Buy your Pub Crawl here -> Amsterdam buy here
Final Thoughts
Amsterdam’s nightlife has something for everyone — chaotic clubs, stylish cocktail bars, beer cafés and everything in between.
Pick your neighborhood, grab your crew, and make your own story.
And if you want to make it a game, turn your crawl into pub golf with our plug-and-play route guide.
Let the night begin. 🍻
Buy your Pub Crawl here -> Amsterdam buy here
