The Best Pubs in Amsterdam
6 pubs in Amsterdam ranked by atmosphere, beer list, and history.
Amsterdam s closest equivalent to a pub is the bruine kroeg, the brown cafe. These are heritage neighbourhood bars with wood interiors stained brown by three centuries of pipe smoke. They function exactly as pubs do — community living rooms with reliable beer.
The bars cluster in the Jordaan, Centrum, and Zeedijk. Most have been continuously operating since the 17th or 18th century.
Order a vaasje of Heineken, Brouwerij t IJ, or La Trappe. Or order a jenever and a beer chaser — the kopstootje, the local move.
The 6 best pubs in Amsterdam
Cafe de Dokter
Established 1798. Twelve seats. Possibly Amsterdam s smallest bar. Cash only. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 4pm.
Cafe t Smalle
Originally a jenever distillery from 1786. The pontoon over the canal is famous. Open daily from 10am.
Cafe Hoppe
Established 1670. The Spui terrace fills from spring through autumn. Sawdust on the floor, long wooden bar. Open daily.
In t Aepjen
Sailor bar in a wooden building from the early 1500s. The name means in the monkeys, and there were once monkeys here. Open daily.
Cafe Het Papeneiland
Built 1642 on the corner where Brouwersgracht meets Prinsengracht. Famous Delft tile interior. Open daily.
In de Wildeman
Beer specialist set in a converted distillery. Eighteen rotating taps. Closed Sundays.
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