I amsterdam…

As the Dutch say “Klein maar fijn”. It is the perfect description of the Dutch Capital. The Netherlands is a small European country but has a record as a big player in the international community. Amsterdam is a reflection of the Dutch mindset: the land of possibility. A wide diversity ranging from the red light district to coffeeshops to historical buildings, Amsterdam has it all. The point is: book those tickets and visit this city! If we assume that you arrive in the daytime on Schiphol Airport, count on a 30 minutes drive to the city center by public transport. A taxi will save you 10 minutes.  Fact of the matter is that Amsterdam is a small city and most of the destinations can be reached by tram, taxi or even by foot. Before you visit Amsterdam you might want to look for a good deal at one of these fine hotels  Hotel The Toren (Keizersgracht 164). Hotel The Toren is a dazzling boutique hotel with a charming hotel bar. Another  fascinating boutique hotel is located at the same street:  The Dylan (Keizersgracht 384). We almost forgot the well known Pulitzer Hotel (Prinsengracht 315-331) As you can see by the street numbers…this hotel consists of 28 unique old Amsterdam houses. Finally there is Okura Hotel (Ferdinand Bolstraat 333). This hotel is located outside the center of Amsterdam though it offers admirable bar at the 23rd floor – make sure to bring a shitload of money because the prices are insane. For those looking for only the best of the best of the best: Amstel Hotel (Professor Tulpplein 1). Traditionally this is the hotel to stay in Amsterdam and The Netherlands…many international celebrities have stayed here including Michael Jackson and the Rolling Stones.

Anyway, enough of that boring lonely planet-like tourist information. If you need more of this type of information visit the local VVV (tourist information center in Amsterdam) and they will inform you exactly where to go for the tourist attractions. Our goal is, of course, something completely different: hit the gas!!

Day 1

Let’s start over at the aiport: hurry the f*ck up to your hotel and drop your bags. We have too many venues to visit! We’ll start at “De Wallen” which is the famous red light district in Amsterdam. It is fun to stroll around and see what is exactly that makes this such a famous area. Start your walk next to the Krasnapolsky hotel at Wynand & Fockink (Pijlsteeg 31). Wynand & Fockink offers a wide range of home distilled Dutch liquors with superior service of our best friend Hans. We know what you are good at, so we figured that you might appreciate some of these fine liquors before we hit the road.

The next stop is “the” bar of Amsterdam’s red light district: Old Sailor (Oudezijds achterburgwal 39a). Without a doubt one of the most touristy bars in Amsterdam, but it is always crowded and cosy! Do not expect that exceptional service or great cocktails but the beer and shots (Jägerbombs, jack-in-the-box, flatliner a.k.a. moordenaartje, etc.) are worth it. After a couple of the big bangs the atmosphere is most likely unbeatable  and it is time to continue our tour. Let’s have something to eat before we have to get to the real deal.

Since we are close to “de Dam”, let’s visit the Supperclub (Jonge roelensteeg 21). Supperclub may be an international phenomenon, it all started here in Amsterdam. If it’s fame has not reached you yet: Supperclub is a somewhat extravagant club which is unique in its kind. This venue has two areas namely a club- and a restaurant area. Today we will visit the restaurant. This unconventional venue has been a trendsetter in the international restaurant industry: guests dine while lying down on comfortable lounge beds. This Xperience together with many forms of entertainment makes the Supperclub concept a huge succes in the international hospitality industry. Make sure to make a reservation before you visit this venue. If this does not work out you might want to visit one of the other venues of this  ‘hospitality group’.

We are an independent website and do not advertise for specific venues though the venues created by the minds of the Supperclub are definitely worth mentioning.  At Prinsengracht (walking distance) you will find Envy (Prinsengracht 381). Envy is a cutting-edge tapas restaurant serving fresh eats. This tapas restaurant has a typical signature of the supperclub-guru’s. To early for dinner? Have a aperitif a down the road at Vyne (Prinsengracht 411). Vyne is a wine bar with exceptionally hospitable and knowledgeable staff. The range of elegant wines is impressive and can also be ordered by the glass.

Now let’s forget about food… we’re off to to Rembrandtplein. On the way to Rembrandtplein (yes…again by foot) we’ll have a quick drink at the Reguliersdwarsstraat. This is the gay-street of Amsterdam that offers some brilliant venues near the Vijzelstraat. When you arrive at Rembrandtplein, the first thing that catches your eye is the huge plasma screen in the middle of the square.  This is exactly where we want to be! Under this plasma you will find the only club that is left from Amsterdams’ former clubbing scene: Escape (Rembrandtplein 11)!! Escape only has one purpse: offer excitement to those that are looking for it. This is nightlife, this is dancing, this is drinking, this is Amsterdam!!

Not in the mood for house-music? Go a bit further down the road and make sure you’re on the guest list of club Home (Wagenstraat 3). Wherever the evening might take you, just try to  Xperience the lively and good atmosphere where Amsterdam is famous for and exit your favorite club’s doors not earlier than closing time (5am). We know that you’re wasted now, that by now you know Amsterdam was build to make you feel miserable but… it is inevitable: as a real party freak you do not want to go to your shabby hotel yet.

Unfortunately all doors close at 5am in this city. Don’t worry,  we kept you around Rembrandtplein for this evening on purpose. hahaha. We know where you can have that last out-of-the-ordinary adventure: located right around the corner of Escape you will find the Savoy-bar (Korte Reguliersdwstr 1). This is as worse as it can get so do not expect anything fancy. Only one thing is for sure: these folks are delighted to fill your glass one more time! Goodnight…

Day 2

Saturday, wake up in Amsterstam’s lively city center. It might be well worth it to do some cultural stuff. Visit a the Anne Frank Museum, tour Amsterdam’s canals by boat or have a look at Rembrandt’s Night watch, it’s up to you! Today we’ll visit the southern side of the city center. To recover quickly from last night we are having a fine espresso at Palladium (Kleine gartmanplantsoen 7) located on “Leidseplein”. Paladium is an elegant venue with stunning visitors. You might encounter a touch of arrogance among the staff as well as it’s visitors but as long as we get our espresso we don’t mind.

Located around the corner of Paladium is L&B (Korte leidsedwarsstraat 82), a cute place that offers 1300 different whisky’s! This is destiny for every whisky lover. Please be advised that this bar is only open after 8pm. Before we are going for dinner let’s have a cocktail at Herrie (Utrechtsestraat 30a). Herrie offers passionate cocktails that can definitely compete with the international cocktail standards. Our personal favorite is the famous Dark & Stormy which consists of dark rum and their homemade ginger beer. Delicious!!

We know that you would probably like to have some more of these but we recommend to have something to eat first. We have several options in mind. one of our recommendations is Los Pilones (Kerkstraat 63). Los Pilones is a small Mexican restaurant. Do not order anything from the menu; let the waitresses guide you and inform them nicely that you appreciate a good drink… Los Pilones offers an abundance of Tequila (Yeah baby! Rock and Roll!). Our last advice: order a bottle of water with it, this might save you a headache tomorrow morning.

Another recommendation for dinner is  Bo5 (Prinsengracht 494). Bo5 is a bar / restaurant located in 4 connecting buildings. We were baffled by the architecture which made us think of a mysterious cave (No questions, just comments please ).  After dinner we’ll head back to Leidseplein where Amsterdam is preparing itself for another crazy night. Perhaps a good idea to pay a quick visit at Blinq (Kleine Gartmanplantsoen 5) - located just next to Paladium where we went earlier today - for a few more drinks while the music is starting to get you in the right mood for another night of drinks and laugher.

A must visit near Leidseplein is Suzy Wong (Korte leidsedwarsstraat 45). Suzy Wong is a colorful bar with high end cocktails and a warm atmosphere. It is perfect to prepare ourselves for the long night that is waiting for us. Leave this bar around midnight and cross the street where the hostesses ( we call ‘em doorbitches) of Jimmy Woo (Korte leidsedwarsstraat 18) are waiting for you. While Amsterdam is certainly not the best clubbing city in the world since London, New York and Hong Kong are already one step ahead. This does not mean that we haven’t selected another titanic venue for you Au contraire, Jimmy Woo enjoys international allure and is one of the biggest hospitality successes of Amsterdam. Jimmy Woo recently opened a second club in…yesss, New York! Anyway, let’s rock and roll! By the way, make sure to dress properly in order for the doorbitches not to have a valid reason to deny your drunkass (definition: A piece of shit that inhales far too many beers or shots and stumbles around like a fucking dumbass.) admission. Once inside it is time to enjoy the pleasures of Jimmy Woo: Awesome drinks, whimsical music, good looking people and of course brilliant surroundings. Enjoy tranquility on the ground floor and then go down to the basement for a great dancing Xperience under a roof of light.

Feel like going a bit more low-profile tonight? Not to worry my friend, just get yourself to the other side of the Leidseplein where you’ll find Paradiso (Weteringschans 6). Paradiso is actually an old church that is tranformed into a well-known club. For many years now, this former church houses the beautiful ambiance of nightclub Paradiso where you are ensured to have a great night. When even Paradiso cannot break you, throw yourself quickly into a taxi and spend your last Euros in club Trouw (Wibautstraat 131). This industrial-style club is located in yet another building with a history of its own. This place used to be the home of a famous Dutch newspaper called, indeed, Trouw. The DJ will be delighted to spin his latest beats once again for you and all your party-loving friends. Enjoy!

Day 3

The day after? Hahaha, of course you feel miserable again. Trashed but satisfied with nothing else than a poisoned liver and good memories. Amsterdam is brilliant city that gives absolutely no reason to get bored. Interesting fact: Amsterdam houses the most nationalities in one city. Anyway, f*ck the facts we’ll leave you alone. One more thing…this is what you need today: a sandwich like a sandwich used to be. A sandwich van Dobben (Korte reguliersdwarsstraat 5).