Amsterdam Nightlife
After the quiet early evening hours, Amsterdam's streets and squares get again very busy at night.
Amsterdam nightlife streets and squares
Around Leidseplein you will find the famed cultural and music centers Paradiso, Melkweg and Stadsschouwburg that offer varied artistic program for both young and old including big-name bands. Also lots of cafes, some smaller theatres, restaurants, cinemas and a casino.
Another busy area of clubs, cafes and cinemas is Rembrandtplein. The square is surrounded by clubs and cafes always full of guests.
An important small street traditionally attracting theater crowd is Nes (parallel to Rokin). And nearby cafes attract lots of intellectuals.
The old area of the Jordaan is mostly frequented by the young people. It is easy to meet people and make new friends in its cafes and bars.
At the back of the Dam square, the whole area of town called Red Light District is always invaded by large groups of tourists walking in the streets and looking at the windows with girls in them. Nearby small restaurants and cafes are also full of people.
Online tickets for Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a busy touristic city and it is wise to buy your tickets in advance. You can do so through our tickets webpage. You can find tickets for museums, attractions, tours and cruises. These tickets have also the advantage that you go right inside because your reservation is already done and you do not have to wait in line.
Visiting Amsterdam is easier and cheaper with a "City Pass".
With one card you can go to most tourist destinations without other tickets.
Comparison of Amsterdam city passes and discount cards.
Amsterdam clubs
Amsterdam's reputation as a city to party in is well deserved, and there is a wide selection of nightclubs to keep anybody up well past their bedtime. The main areas for clubbing are Rembrantplein and Leidseplein, although there are clubs scattered throughout the city, including in and around the Red Light District and Spui.
Amsterdam coffeeshops
The soft drugs are available in coffeeshops for people who are over 18. Don't buy any drugs on the street. This is illegal, dangerous and, if caught by the police, the only trip you'll make is down to the police station. There are plenty of coffeeshops around. Most of the coffeeshops are open till mid-night, some a bit longer.
Red Light District
The camera in a slash/circle sign behind many of the windows, along with the furious tapping on glass of the women themselves will inform you that taking a camera into the Walletjes, Amsterdam's red light district, is a serious breach of etiquette. One of the district's security crew may remind you - destroy your film; may even ask you to leave, or worse. No cameras in red light distict! If you really need some pictures, there are some discrete shots in our gallery.
Prostitution in Amsterdam
Prostitution has been legal in the Netherlands from 1815 and in 1996 the Dutch government started to tax it. According to statistics there are now over 25,000 prostitutes in the Netherlands and over half of these are said to be illegal immigrants. Like many cities in the world there are a large number of brothels in Amsterdam but unlike other cities there are a large number of red lit windows in the Red Light District.
Sex museum
Inside the sex museum you will find a collection of erotic art from throughout the history and a number of other entertaining exhibits. There is everything from a collection of literature portraying various illustrations of sex to playing porno films to a gallery of alternative sexual fetishes. Very informative and explicit, not for those easily offended.
Address: Damrak 18
Erotic museum
An artistic view over the world of erotics. A reflection of what it is all about in the Red Light District. Five floors of erotic curiosities and a collection of erotic art from all over the world. Also a souvenir shop.
Address: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 54
Hash, marihuana & hemp museum
This museum is next-door and owned by the sensi seed bank. Its fairly small and goes through the history of the cannabis plant. There are also some plants growing on show aswell as explanations of hash production, etc. Next to the museum is a seed bank where you can buy quality cannabis seeds (for medical purposes, of course).
Address: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148