The Brown Cafees
It is great fun to let your hair down in Amsterdam’s “brown cafés” (bruin café) and über-trendy nightclubs. The brown cafés are named after the color of their nicotine-marked walls. A lot of cigarettes have been smoked in these places over the years, and you are still allowed to smoke here.
Jimmy Woo
There is room for 600 people at Jimmy Woo’s, but nonetheless there is always a long line. Just be patient – or send an email to: info@pink-platinum.com for table service and tickets.
The top floor of the club is decorated like an opium cave with beds and antique Chinese lamps. The dance floor is in the basement, and the sound ought to be great, since it has been elected best sound in Holland in 2005. Each night Jimmy Woo presents a new DJ event.
Jimmy Woo, Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 18
www.jimmywoo.nl
Suzy Wong
At the opposite side of the street is the cocktail bar, Suzy Wong, which is definitely worth visiting as well.
Suzy Wong, Korte Leidsedwarsstrat 45
Bar Ca
If you enjoy Cava and an intense black and red interior design, you have to swing by Bar Ca.
Bar Ca, Marie Heinekenplein 30/31
www.bar-ca.com
11
The restaurant transforms into a nightclub at 11pm, when the walls pull open and reveal huge panoramic windows. You can dance until dawn. 11 is one of the best places to watch the sun rise over Amsterdam.
The music is accompanied by all sorts of visual arts presented on 12 big video screens.
11, Oosterdokskade 3/5
www.ilove11.nl
Café Dante
A huge art deco café, where Amsterdam’s jet set comes to grab a beer or two after work. A stairway leads up to an art gallery with works by the Amsterdam artist Herman Brood. The evenings can get pretty loud at the long bar, when the stockbrokers let their hair down.
Café Dante, Spuistraat 320
www.dante.nl
The most crazy events and club nights. There is no knowing what’s going to happen, so check out the club’s web site.
Studio 80, Rembrandtplein 17
www.studio-80.nl
By Mette Lomholdt