Maximillian Brewery (now closed and open as another bar, not visited yet)
To be described later (after I get the time...)
*Obviously this is my personal view. The focus is on Dutch/Belgian
brews, not the Irish/English pub scene. Not that I
don't on occasion enjoy a nice British or Irish beer in the appropriate setting.
It's just that there seems to be a McBar or FirkinBar on every damn street corner
in every town on earth now, and they all seem like they were assembled from
the same catalog of "authentic" Irish doo-dads and knick-nacks to
hang on the wall. And frankly, I'm a little tired of it...
Kloveniersburgwal 6-8, Just south of Nieuwmarkt.
A brew-pub, there are usually about 6 beers on tap.
On Nieuwmarkt.
Just up the street from Maximillian on the Nieuwmarkt square is this smaller old cafe that has nice old tiles on the wall from it's earlier days as a train/tram waiting room. Has Chouffe and Columbus on tap, and usually another couple of interesting beers available.
Kolksteeg 3, just south of Centraal Station
Probably something like 150 beers available. Usually 15-20 beers on tap which are mostly Dutch/Belgian, constantly rotating, and always interesting. There is frequently a real-ale keg from England sitting on the counter for additional fun. They always have a rotating "Beer of the Month" on tap and a "Bottle of the Month".
The Wildeman is to my knowledge, the only bar in Amsterdam with a "non-smoking" section (actually a separate room on the right side as you walk in). It's actually the quieter side of the bar, and still somewhat smokey on winter nights with all the windows shut, but at least no one will be smoking right next to you.
Egelantiersgracht 12, on the corner with Prinsengracht.
Not truly a beer-pub, but if the weather is nice, it's one of the best places to sit/stand outside on the canal and enjoy the Amsterdam atmosphere. Inside it is tight, brown, and you can still get in a good political discussion with a stranger here. Has a couple of dubbel/tripels on tap, and the usual selection of other bottled beers and liquors. No music.
Herengracht 90,
Right on one of the grand canals, this newer pub concentrates exclusively on Dutch beers, and has at least one beer available from each and every Dutch brewery. Very extensive selection.
The owner is a very nice fellow who will organize special tasting nights for groups of visitors. He has quite a personal collection of older Dutch and Belgian beers which he sometimes dips into for these tasting sessions.
Raamsteeg 4,
In a small alley just north of Spui and south of Dam square, between Spuistraat and Singel. Probably more than 200 types of beer available. About 8 on tap at any one time. A legend of a spot. Small, dark, smoky and crowded. I used to go here a lot, but one too many evenings of cigar smoke coming from some chimney of a smoker in the back turned me off. Still worth a visit though...
Nes 43
Small cafe with food and some good beers on tap.
For more pub/cafe's to check out if you have extra time in Amsterdam, try these
external links:
Some of my other favorite places:
Places I avoid:
Phil Calvin
pcalvin at cisco bot com
Last modified
November 21, 2002