Nightclubs, Amsterdam

The Waterhole was one place recommended to us by a friendly barman in our local cafe. It is just off Leidseplein, south of the Jordaan area. Leidseplein has a sort of 'happening' feel about it at night, full of bright neon lights, outdoor bars, take-away food joints.

There was no entrance charge on a busy Saturday night. The drinks were inexpensive, and the usual good Amsterdam standard. It had a live band, doing very passable cover-versions of British and American rock/pop.

It also has an area around the band used as a dance floor. Everyone from 16 to 62 by the looks of it :-)

We eventually left at 2am and it was clear that the night was still young!!

Dress Code: Complete mixture, mainly very casual.

Paradiso is a stellar nightclub, period.

It's walking distance from anywhere in the city. Don't ask me where it is exactly, but you can ask anyone once you're there and they'll give you directions, it's Amsterdam and the locals are always glad to help.

Three floors of dance spaces. Apparently it's a converted church. The main floor is the main stage as well. The backdrop of the stage is giant stain glass windows, which is brilliant.

I paid about 15 euros and got to see a live band, I can't remember what they were called but they were a latin, ska type deal. Wicked for dancing. Later I went upstairs and there was some classic house dj's and I danced my ass off up there as well.

After I left, I smoked a joint on a bench on the canal and headed back to the hostel. An unforgettable night.

This is one of the best clubs I've ever been to, bar none. A nice club space, obviously a great city, beautiful men and women, good music, the whole package. Most British, American and Canadian indie and semi-mainstream artists make a stop here on their tours so check ticketmaster for shows when you're planning your trip.

Every first Friday of the month you'll have one of the best parties of the city at this stylish venue. ToNight is what they call this section of Hotel Arena. It's a fantastic club and the 90's party is fantastic. The crowd is young, I'd say around 21-35 years old, but everyone is very relaxed. Make sure to get here on time. It's a very poular night spot for locals. If the party starts at 23:00hrs, make so to be there around this time, otherwise you're too late and can't get in anymore, since everyone stays till the end. The entrance fee for party nights differ. 90's NOW is 12 euro's, which is a very decent price. Check out the website for which parties you can expect in the future.

Dress Code: Trendy casual. As long as you look clean and not like you're a trouble maker you'll have no problems getting in, unless the place is full.

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Why should I go to an Irish Pub whilst in Amsterdam? Good question and the answer is, I sort of walked into one and found a place with good music and great service. The Irish Pub Slainte is tucked in the middle of the Red Light District, next to the Old Church. I could be wrong but I think the White Tulip backpacker's inn is also located here

No hip hop music or techno is played (thank goodness) and the bartenders have such a fantastic sense of humour & lots of energy. You get a lot of laughs, good drinks, good company in here. You can also get some "home cooked" meals but the kitchen closes at 5.00pm. The place has a comfortable ambiance but you also can find clothes like female bras & football shirts hanging from the ceiling. So, you can stay here for hours and down your favourite poison, beer or one called the Yaga Bomb (Yagameister & Red Bull). Oh yes, no use of marijuana is allowed in this establishment, another plus point for me. This is a cool place and will return again

Dress Code: I guess anything goes

Small and cousy club with different kind of music every night. You feel like you're dancing in your own living room. Dj's, even the more famous ones, are one with the group and it's easy to meet new people by the bar. Just be sure to check what they have in each night, as some nights are GREAT and some really suck. Check out Internet pages for known dj's. Saturday's "23 and rising" is always good!

Dress Code: no running shoes, no joints! (unless you manage to get it through bouncers without them finding it)

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SEE:CLUBS AMSTERDAM

The most eccentric bar in Amsterdam is situated in the heart of the Red Light District. In a beautiful 18th century monumental house you will find two cosy furnished floors with special designed bars on which our scarcely dressed girls give you a heart-warming welcome.
Never a dull moment in the Bananenbar because our girls also perform all kinds of incredible erotic tricks. And the Banana is a special part in this scene of course. And if your throat feels dried up by the sight of all these erotic attractions, just ask the girls to fill up your glass again : In the Bananenbar all drinks are on the house !

Service in the most 'natural' style by beautiful hostesses, erotic entertainment on a high level and free drinks. When you are looking for a gimmick on your bachelor- or businessparty, this is the way to go bananas on your night out in Amsterdam !

Jimmy woo is definitely one of the most elegant night club in Amsterdam. It is very very attractive and really worth to visit. Indeed a visit to Amsterdam nightlife may not be fulffilled without a visit to Jimmy woo.

Jimmy woo is located in a narrow road at leidse plein, very near to the square. When you reach the leidse square you will see Burger King, sports cafe, Bulldog on one side and Three sisters, Black and White, Suzy wong on the other side. Jimmy woo is just on the three sisters side. You can only see a black door outside, even hard to recognise, but on weekends there is always a queu in front and you may not miss it.

The club has a reservation system. I suggest to make a reservation through your hotel one or two days earlier. If you can get in the list than you can get in more easily, however if your hotel fails to make a reservation you still can try your chance. Just stand in front of the club in the queu, may be five minutes, may be twenty minutes but soon you will be asked if you have a reservation. There is a lady who is holding a list and also decide who to let in. I must admit she is really talented and looking georgeous. You can tell her that your hotel failed to make a reservation, which I did.. Than she asked me which hotel I was staying and I said Swissotel Amsterdam than I was in. Please Note; they dont let a group of boys without a girl.

When you enter the club, you pay the entrance fee of 12,- Euros and climb narrow stairs up. There you can leave your jacket and coats. They dont charge for it.. Than you open the door and hear the tune. The club has two floors, upper floor is the main big bar, where you can have your drink, sit in the sofas and talk with your friends. This place is more to watch and to be watched. When you are ready, go downstairs. This is the club part. You will see the DJ stand, the bar and nothing else but dancing people. The music in the club is awesome, awesome, awesome. You wont regret any minute.

Dress Code: There is no strict dress code. However the nicer you look, the more chance you will have to be in. Especially some nights are over booked and even if you are the smartest people around, you may not get in, But practically being there with nice dress, may be with some known brands shall give you more chance..

Leidseplein is world-famous for a visit during day ... and during night! Always love this most lively place right in the centre of Amsterdam where you watch people in an unembarrassing way. People wanna be watched and seen! BULLDOG is as famous as its square and opened its doors at April 1st 1985 (Aprils Fool day). Celebrities and other famies are to be seen here ...

Open: from 10:00 am - 1:00 am
At weekend open till 3:00 am

Dress Code: BULLDOG is offering all you can think of, so offer your best speciality ...

Bourbon Street is a great place for a night with Rhythm and Blues live music. Famous and unknown artists play here and the sound is always great. Especially for the lovers of (real) music, I'ld recommend to go here and enjoy a night in Amsterdam.

Dress Code: Casual or ... dress up like Jake or Elwood Blues (-:

If expensive drinks, dulling disco/techno/house music and clubs are your thing:

There are so many clubs of all types, way too many to list here, and they are changing all the time (popularity, venue, and how you are treated by the infamous bouncers), so by the time I post a recommendation, that place will change or become unpopular.

Best recommendation is to keep checking the latest nightlife tips from VTrs, Clubzone, Let's Go Amsterdam, Yahoo, etc etc. and read online Dutch newspapers and websites. It is a dynamic & changing scene.

Dress Code: Dress codes definitely determine whether or not the goonlike and sometimes racist bouncers let you in. Dress up, or better still, go somewhere else.