Cool old bars in Amsterdam

[thewhangie]

Going for a few days next week, first time.

Any hints for comfy old bars with a good beer selection.

I am staying right in the city centre, any ideas welcome, thanks

[RizzoTheRat]

The Beer Temple is mainly American beers but a huge range and well worth a visit

The Wildman's not what I'd necessarily call a cool old pub but it's a brew pub that does some really nice beers plus a decent selection from other breweries.

Brouwerij 't IJ is another brewery with a decent bar, not got round to visiting it yet but their beers are nice.

Been to several others but can't for the life of me remember the names though.

[andy67b]

Its been a while since I was there last, but one think I would recommend whilst there is go on the Heineken Experience/Museum tour here https://www.heineken.com/gb/agegateway?returnurl=%... had a great time doing this.

[Yipper]

Just head straight for the RLD and sit outside any bar on the main strip and people-watch.

[Moulder]

I used to like this place...

http://threesisterspubamsterdam.nl/en

Not sure what it is like 17 years later.

[dillenger]

cafe de dam, louis bar

so small only holds maybe 20 few years since i have been.

[Pulse]

Ah, something I'm able to help with, given my friends are locals, and I've been a fair few times now!

First up, as Rizzo mentioned, hop on a bike and get over to Brouwerij 't IJ. It's very, very good.

Brouwerij de Prael at the top of town is also fantastic. Similar to IJ, brews their own beers. Again, seriously good, and will be within walking distance.

Cafe Brecht is down the bottom of town, but worth the walk/tram down. It's very chilled out (although most places in the 'dam are), and styled as a sort of random collection of German living room furniture.

For something totally different, you could try the SkyLounge, on top of the DoubleTree Hilton by Centraal, but that's a very different vibe.

Similarly, as Andy mentioned, the Heineken Experience is very worth going to, and the bar at the end is good fun.

Dillenger mentioned Louis Bar. Get there quick, as it's being shut down soon. It claims to be the 'smallest bar in Amsterdam'. Not sure that's entirely correct, but it is stupidly small! We've had many evenings here, and you won't get many people more Dutch than Ank!

There may be more I could send over to you if you're interested, but those are just off the top of my head.

[RizzoTheRat]

Pulse said:

Brouwerij de Prael at the top of town is also fantastic. Similar to IJ, brews their own beers. Again, seriously good, and will be within walking distance.

Went in their shop (still got a quadruple in the fridge I've not tried yet) but didn't get to the bar. Will have to pay it a visit next time I'm there, which might be this weekend.

[Pulse]

RizzoTheRat said:

Went in their shop (still got a quadruple in the fridge I've not tried yet) but didn't get to the bar. Will have to pay it a visit next time I'm there, which might be this weekend.

Definitely do! It's a fantastic place, it really is. New York Pizza is just around the corner as well, for when you're looking to soak some of the alcohol up!

[FlipFlopGriff]

Went here on my last trip. Great beer selection but be careful they are strong.
http://www.arendsnest.nl/
Nice snacks as well - had a huge chunk of cheese and some sides which worked well to soak up some of the alcohol.
FFG

[Terzo123]

An old friend of mine owns a bar in Amsterdam. Scotty & co.

I've not had the chance to visit as of yet, but hopefully will do shortly.

[jabbawookie92]

Hiding in plain sight.

Slightly out of the way but good quirky cocktail bar (Quite pricey though)

http://www.hpsamsterdam.com/

[vsonix]

Whilst not as characterful as some of the oldskool 'Brown Bars', Café Gollem is well worth a look (nb they have more than one location and I can't remember the street name of the one I went to - but it's the most central of them. Ramsteeg?). It's a very small location with just a few seats along the bar and a mezzanine but their selection of beers was incredible. The house IPA 'Precious' was very quaffable and they had a veritable library of interesting bottled brews, probably pushing 200 different varieties, and the barman was able to tell you about all of them. My girlfriend and I popped in for one and were still there about six hours and maybe twelve different varieties of beer later.

[RizzoTheRat]

vsonix said:

and they had a veritable library of interesting bottled brews, probably pushing 200 different varieties, and the barman was able to tell you about all of them.

This is something that seems to be quite common around the Netherlands and Belgium but sadly rare in the UK. This is the bierkarte from one of my local bars in The Hague

[jabbawookie92]

I forgot to say..

This place does 3 good beers and lots of really good food!

It's on the big road out of the RLD called Rokin.

https://www.bierfabriek.com/en/

[vsonix]

RizzoTheRat said:

vsonix said:

and they had a veritable library of interesting bottled brews, probably pushing 200 different varieties, and the barman was able to tell you about all of them.

This is something that seems to be quite common around the Netherlands and Belgium but sadly rare in the UK. This is the bierkarte from one of my local bars in The Hague

[/wipes drool from corner of mouth]
Thanks, now I'm thirsty.

It's impressive although with that many beers I would imagine keeping track of stock and making sure it's all perfect all the time must be a right headache! Although I suppose owner's privilege, you get to drink what didn't sell...

[ADogg]

brouwerij 't ij is great - we were in Amsterdam a few weeks ago and walked here and as we sat down a three hour heavy rainstorm happened, which meant we had to stay here and sample the beer menu, happy days!

It’s in an old windmill too, what’s not to love?