Nightlife Amsterdam Guide

The residents of Amsterdam are great lovers of Jazz, techno, kinky sex and marijuana-all of which have become a part of the city's wild nightlife.

Leidseplein (also known as Leiden Square) is the neighborhood in Amsterdam which is the city's nightlife capital. For visitors who are interested in wild nights, choose a hotel in this neighborhood. One need only walk the streets to come across the hundreds of bars and nightclubs which line the narrow streets of Leidseplein.

The "Boom Chicago" club (Leidseplein 12 | Leidseplein Theater, Tel 31 20 423 0101) is Amsterdam's biggest and most popular comedy club. With nightly shows of improv, stand-up and sketch comedy this American-run club is a perfect break from the all-night techno joints you have been visiting all week. Put that legal bud to good use on at least one night of your trip and laugh your ass off at the "Boom Chicago".

For a quiet night, visit one of Amsterdam's "Brown cafés" or "Bruin cafés". These places offer beers, marijuana, food and comfortable seating for great conversation. The oldest Brown café in the city is "café Chris" (Bloemstraat 42, Tel 31 20 6245942) which was established in 1624. The brown cafés are titled so because of the color which years of indoor smoking has stained upon the walls. The atmosphere is dark and cozy, the staff friendly and the beer affordable and delicious.

For those looking for a classically wild Amsterdam night, complete with sex clubs, illicit drugs and petty street crime; head to the Red Light District. It is here where you will find the majority of Amsterdam's famous live sex shows, and a few coffee shops; for nightclubs and bars stick to the Leidseplein.

One of Amsterdam's most popular night clubs is the "Escape" (11 Rembrandtplein, Tel 31-20-620-2080). This club has a capacity for 2,000 dancers, and is filled nightly. There are several rooms, each with a different type of music and scene. On Saturday nights there is a popular local DJ showcase.

Whether you want to dance all night, or sit back and get stoned, Amsterdam's nightlife ranges from the wild and crazy to the downright lazy. There is guaranteed to be something for you to do at all hours in Amsterdam.