People Watching, Amsterdam

My first night in Amsterdam in mid October 2001, after getting a taxi back from the original Greenhouse at Tolstraat 91 in the old south, I got out of the cab and even though I was probably only a 1/2 block from my hotel, I was smashed

I made a wrong turn down one of the narrow streets in the city center and immediately got lost.

It was an excellent introduction to Amsterdam, wandering around late at night, knowing I was close to my hotel and having a fairly good idea where I was, but still getting lost as I walked around the Dam area, Red Lite, Nieuwendijk, Jordaan, and up/down Damrak.

Amsterdam centraal is an old part of the city with such interesting little streets and original architecture, it was almost a disappointment when I accidently found my hotel.

It would be hard for me to get lost there now as I know the city so much better, but I recommend it if you have never been there before.

Picture upper-left for laughs is of an almost deserted Nieuwendijk late after midnight, pasteled & blurred in the spirit of a controlled substance

Dress Code: Pants

3 more images

An overview of the lesser known Amsterdam venues:

Amstelkerk Amstelveld 10-1017 JD-20-7959950
Hotel Arena ‘s-Gravensandestraat 51-1092 AA-20-6947444
ARGAN Overtoom 141-1054 HG-20-6389966
De Badcuyp 1e Sweelinckstraat 10-1073 CM-20-6759669
De Balie Kleine Gartmanplantsoen 10-1017 RR-20-5335100
Bellevue Leidsekade 90-1017 PN-20-5305301
Bathaniënklooster Barndestaag 6-1012 BV-20-6250078
Betty Asfalt Complex Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 282-1012 RT-20-6264695
Beurs van Berlage Damrak 343-1012 ZJ-20-5217575
BIMHUIS Piet Heinkade 3-1019 BR-20-7882188
Bitterzoet Spuistraat 2-1012 TS-20-4212318
Boom Chicago Comedy Theater Leidseplein 12-1017 PT-20-4230101
De Brakke Grond-Nes 45-1012 KD-20-6266866
BRIX Wolvenstraat 16-1016 EP-20-6390351
Buiksloterkerk Builsloterkerkpad 10-1034 VZ-20-4933468
Bijlmer Parktheater-1102 PR-Anton de Komplein 240-20-3113930
Theater De Cameleon 3e Kostverlorenkade 35-1054 TS-20-4894656
Cantina Vocaal De Wittenstraat 43-1052 AL-20-6811843
Koninklijk Theater Carré-Amstel 115-125-1018 AM-0900-2525255
Casablanca Muziek Zeedijk 26-1012 AZ-20-6255685
Club NL Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 169-1012 RK-20-6227510
Club 8 Admiraal de Ruijterweg 56-1056 GL-20-6851703
Club Home Wagenstraat 3-1017 CZ-20-6201375
Club Up Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 26-1017 RC-20-62346985
Comedy Café Max Euweplein 43-45-1017 MA-20-6383971
Comedy Theater In De Nes Nes 110-1012 KE-20-4222777
Compagnietheater-Kloveniersburgwal 50-1011 JX-20-5205320
Het Concertgebouw Concertgebouwplein 2-5-1071 LN-20-6718345
Conservatorium van Amsterdam Oosterdokskade 151-1011 DL-20-5277550
Danswerkplaats Amsterdam Arie Biemondstraat 107-1054 PD-20-6891789
De Duif Prinsengracht 756-1017 LD-20-5200090
Circus Elleboog Passeerdersgracht 32-1016 XH-20-6269370
De Engelenbak Nes 71-1012 KD-20-3202007
De Engelse Kerk Begijnhof 48-1012 WV-20-6249665
ESCAPE Rembrandtplein 11-1017 CT-20-6221111
Felix Meritis Keizersgracht 324-1016 EZ-20-6231311
Flex Bar Pazzanistraat 1-1014 TB-Tel:+31-20-4862123
FRASCATI Nes 63-1012 KD-20-6266866
FUNENPARK 125 Funenpark 125-1018 AK-20-7701458
Heineken Music Hall ArenA Boulevard 590-1101 DS-0900-3001250
Ignatiushuis Beulingstraat 11-1017 BA-20-6798207
Imagine IC Bijlmerplein 1006-1008-1102 ML-20-4894866
Jimmy Woo Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 18-1017 RC-20-4222073
Kamertheater Nassaukade 42-1052 CL-20-6821011
Het Ketelhuis Pazzanistraat 4-1014 PB-20-6840090
De Kleine Komedie Amstel 56-58-1017 AC-20-6240534
Poppentheater Koos Kneus Iepenplein 40-1091 JR-20-6928532
Jeugdtheater De Krakeling Nieuwe Passeerdersstraat 1-1016 XP-20-6245123
KRITERION Roetersstraat 170-1018 WE-20-6231708
LIZBOA Veemkade 252-1019 HD-20-4191338
M-LAB Aambeeldstraat 10-1021 KB-20-4350940
Mediamatic Bank Vijzelstraat 65-1017 HE-20-6389901
Meervaart Meer en Vaart 300-1068 LE-20-4107777
MELKWEG Lijnbaansgracht 234-1017 PH-20-5318181
Podium Mozïek Bos en Lommerweg 191-1055 DT-20-5800381
Muiderpoorttheater 2e van Swindenstraat 26-1093 VS-20-6681313
Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ Piet Heinkade 1-1019 BR-20-6255455
NDSM-Werf Neveritaweg 15-1033 WB-20-7959950
Nederlands Marionettentheater Jacob Obrechtstraat 28-1071 KM-20-6928031
De Nieuwe Kerk Dam 12-1012 NP-20-6386909
Noorderkerk Noordermarkt 44-1015 NA-20-6266436
OCCII Amstelveenseweg 134-1075 XL-20-6717778
ODEON Singel 460-1017 AW-20-5218555
ONEFOURONE Overtoom 141-1054 HG-20-3059700
Oosterkerk Kleine Wittenburgerstraat 1-1018 LS-20-6272280
Oranjekerk Van Ostadestraat 153-1073 KT-20-6795096
Orgelpark Gerard Brandtstraat 26-1054 JK-20-5158111
Ostadetheater Van Ostadestraat 233-1073 TN-20-6795096
OT301 Overtoom 301-1054 HW-20-7794913
Oude Kerk Oudekerksplein 23-1012 GX-21-20-6258284
Oude Lutherse kerk Singel 411-1012 WN-20- 6231572
Paleis van de Weemoed Oudezijds Voorburgwal 15-17-1012 EH-20-6256964
PANAMA Oostelijke Handelskade 4-1019 BM-20-3118686
PARADISO Weteringschans 6-8-1017 SG-20-6264521
Parsley Club Ter Haarstraat 20-1053 LJ-20-6839367
Het Perron Egelantiersstraat 128-1015 PR-130-20-3307035
Plantage Dok Plantage Doklaan 8-12-1018 CM
Pleintheater Sajetplein 39-1091 DB-20-6933380
Polanenetheater Polanenstraat 174-1013 WC-20-6821311.
Posthoornkerk Haarlemmerstraat 124-136-1013 EX-20-5200090
The Powerzone Daniel Goedkoopstraat 1-3-1096 BD-20-6818866
PROEF Overtoom 160-162-1054 HP-20-6129444
Railtheater Burgemeester Fockstraat 85-1063 CW
Club Rain Rembrandtplein 44-1017 CV-20-6267078
De Rode Hoed Keizersgracht 102-1015 CV-20-6385606
Rozentheater Rozengracht 117-1916 LV-20-6207953
De Ruimte-Cliffordstudio Cliffordstraat 38-1051 GV-20-4881010
Museum Het Schip Spaarndammerplantsoen 140-1013 XD-20-4182885
Singelkerk Singel 452-1017 AW-20-7959950
Sloterkerk Osdorperweg 28-1066 EL-20-6157692
Smart Project Space Arie Biemondstraat 101-111-1054 PD-20-4275951
Restaurant Sophia Sophialaan 55-1075 BP-20-3052760
Souterrain Amsterdam Messinastraat 38B-1019 LW-20-7079485
Spiegeltent Salon Victoria Plein Hoekenrode- 1102 BP-0900-7252996
Stadsschouwburg Leidseplein 26-1017 PT-20-6242311
MS Stubnitz Neveritaweg 44-1033 WC-20-4922154
STUDIO 80 Rembrandtplein 17-1017 CT-20-5218333
STUDIO K Timorplein 62-1094 CC-20-6920410
SUGAR FACTORY Lijnbaansgracht 238-1017 PH-20-6270008
Theater Fabriek Amsterdam Czaar Peterstraat 213-1018 PL-20-5225260
Thomaskerk Prinses Irenestraat 36-1077 WX-6198956
Tolhuistuin Buiksloterweg 5-1031 CC-20-7589254
TOOMLER Breitnerstraat 2-1077 BL-20-6707400
Kindertheater de Toverknol Kerkstraat 174-1017 GT-623851032
Tricky Theater Oosterdokskade 10-1011 AE-20-6269383
Tropentheater Mauritskade 63-1092 AD-20-5688500
TWSTD Weteringschans 157-1017 SE-624265530
De Uitkijk Prinsengracht 452-1017 KE-20-6237460
Het VEEM Theater Van Diemenstraat 410-1013CR-20-6269291
Vondelkerk Vondelstraat 120-1054 GS-20-5200099
W139 Warmoesstraat 139-1012 JB-20-6229434
WERCK Prinsengracht 277-1016 GW-20-6274079
Werkteater Oostenburgergracht 75-1018 NC-20-3308832
Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek Pazzanistraat 4-10114 DB-20-7959950
Westerkerk Prinsengracht 281-1016 GW-20- 6247766
WG Terrein E.A. Marius van Bouwdijk Bastiaansestraat 28-1054 SP-20-6161515
Winston Kingdom Warmoesstraat 129-1012 JA-20-6231380
Zuiderkerk Zuiderkerkhof 72-1011 WB-20-5527987

In this city of sin as Amsterdam is called,
you sometimes get low on energy.
So to get some extra protein's and vitamins,
there is only one thing left to do....

The most eccentric bar in Amsterdam- BananaBar- 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 the 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. this is the way to go bananas on your night out in Amsterdam !

********************************
Visitors can tell what their special wishes are... Entrance is 40 euros for an hour and includes all your drinks!!! If you ask the girls to preform their tricks for you, you have to pay extra though.

*******************************************

In this city of sin as Amsterdam is called,
you sometimes get low on energy.
So to get some extra protein's and vitamins,
there is only one thing left to do....

The most eccentric bar in Amsterdam- BananaBar- 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 the 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. this is the way to go bananas on your night out in Amsterdam !

********************************
Visitors can tell what their special wishes are... Entrance is 40 euros for an hour and includes all your drinks!!! If you ask the girls to preform their tricks for you, you have to pay extra though.

*******************************************

Nice comfortable seating and chill atmosphere, goed 5 gram deals.

*Tram Locator* The Zieseniskade is parallel to the Weteringschans, a big tram street on which the tram lines 6, 7 and 10 all run. Get off at the stop for the Rijksmuseum and walk until the bridge that leads to the entrance of the museum is in front of you. Turn all the way around so the towers of the museum are BEHIND you, and walk up the street. It is called Nieuwe Spieglestraat. First thing you do is cross a bridge and go left (on the near side of that canal) onto the Zieseniskade. Noon is ahead on the left at number 22.

Dress Code: Casual

Amsterdam is the centre of nightlife in The Netherlands. Best places to be are the Leidse Plein or the Rembrandt Plein, where big concentrations of cafés, bars, dancings and discotheques are. During the day and warm sumerevenings the terraces are booming and the atmosphere is the best in the world.

Amsterdam might be called the house-capitol in the world (although I personally would choose to give that name to Rotterdam). However, parties are around the weekend in numerous places, clubs and (secret)places.

Restaurant with menus from all natioanlities are throughout the town. Call out the country, there is a restaurant in town that serves the dishes of it.

Amsterdam has many theatres, concerthalls and cinema's. This way of entertainment is thus also easy to do.

Around the Leidseplein you will find the biggest gathering of eateries and cafes. There are a lot of exotic restaurants here. In the evening you will find most people on the square or in one of the two sidestreets: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat or Lange Leidsedwarsstraat. It is always very crowded.

I was told about this place ages ago and never had the opportunity to go,until I was out there working at Schipol airport last year.
What a place,friendly doormen goes a long way in my book,straight away I felt at ease,the music certainly added to the atmosphere in there.
No language barrier as I think Dutch people speak better English than me !!
The beer was 10 euros a pint,bit expensive but what the hell,the dancing certainly made up for the expensive beer !!!
The girls weren't topless,but had skimpy shorts and t-shirts on.You can take photos in there no problem at all.
(photo to follow !!)

Dress Code: None