Yep we got our Schengen visa a while ago and this Wednesday we are off to Amsterdam for a couple of nights! Anyone got any suggestions of places to go for sightseeing, places to eat and maybe music venue for a night out? Thanks in advance.

Where are you staying?
I'll be able to give you a list once I know what part of Amsterdam you're in

We are a few minutes walk from the Train station in the Redlight district.

Steve, we are staying at the BEURSSTRAAT Hotel if that is of any help.

A boat trip along the canals.

The Ann Frank museum

The Van Gogh museum

The Rijks Museum (Rembrandt etc)

Perhaps a visit to a diamond cutter (ask your hotel, but perhaps not if 'er indoors is there with you!)

and if your still awake after that

A tour of the Red Light District

Loads of Heineken

A couple of spliffs in a cafe

My favourite place for dining and drinking is the Leidseplein, a very lively square in the centre of Amsterdam with many decent restaurants and bars. There's plenty of entertainment available there too including comedy clubs, theatres, cinemas even the occasional street entertainment. There's usually a great atmosphere day and night.

It is about a 10 minute walk from Central Station down toward the main shopping street.

Thanks for the replies!

"A couple of spliffs in a cafe" There's always one to comment on that. I'm sure there will be none of that going on!

Tobias,

Do you happen to know if the Comedy Clubs/Theatres and Cinemas have English shows or do you have to speak FlapenTapem?

The Comedy Clubs/Bars generally entertain in English but worth checking - there are several to choose from. My experience has been the cinemas tend to have Dutch subtitles rather than the soundtrack being dubbed.

I don't recall going to the theatre so I can't say. I suppose it depends on what is showing. English is widely spoken in Holland so there will be no problem in communicating.

If you are into good Italian food and you enjoy listing to live music from classical to musicals to opera to modern, you might want to visit the Pasta e Basta restaurant, close by the Leidseplein and very popular with the locals. Might be worth calling in during the day to book for the evening.

I was there a few weeks back during a business trip and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Both the food and the entertainment was very good - and reasonably priced. The waiting staff are the entertainers! There is only a limited choice of main course (about 8 to 10 items) and a generous buffet (on top of the baby grand piano!) for the appetisers. If you have a sweet tooth, 'dolce' is available too - the Tiramisu and zabaglione were particularly good. The menu changes frequently.

quote:

Steve, we are staying at the BEURSSTRAAT Hotel if that is of any help.

Indeed it is. You're next to the Frisco-one of my stomping grounds from years back. Once had a beer there with Rory McGrath,but I digress...

The street behind your hotel ie on the way into the red light district (Warmoesstraat) is now full of restaurants/bars etc and is now safe to walk down.

However,beer must sees include my favourite bar in the world-in de Wildeman (on Kolksteeg). About 18 draught beers and 250 different bottled beers each with a unique glass.
From your hotel-
turn right to the end of the street (opposite the Grasshopper),
turn left and cross the road with tram lines (Damrak),
go straight up the alley facing you and walk to the end,
then slightly to your right facing you is another alley (ie across the pedestrian shopping street) go down that. There is a shop on the corner with Warhol like art above the shop frontage.
On the left after the alley has gone round to the left slightly is the Wildeman.

T'Ij Brewery-take bus 22 from outside the train station and ask for the Windmill. The bus driver will tell you where to get off about 8 mins later(it's the only windmill in central Amsterdam). Open 3pm-8pm. It's in a converted bath house adjoining the windmill. Gets very busy.

Food-
Thai-Bird Restaurant/snack bar on Zeedijk. One side of Zeedijk is the restaurant and facing it the snack bar. bOth are busy.
From your hotel
turn right to the end,
turn right towards Chickita's sex shop,
turn left and then first right at the corner of Chickitas
go to the end and keep walking straight on across 2 canal bridges,
after the secong bridge take the first left on to Zeedijk and you'll find the restaurant on the left and right side after 50 yds or so.

Raan Pad Thai-Kloveniersburgwal 18
A small cafe type place run by gossiping thais. The only place I have had authentic som tam outside thailand.
Follow the directions above to where you turn left on Zeedijk,but turn right instead and walk down Zeedijk until you get to the Waag(large fort like building) on the square.
Keep to the right hand side of the square and walk down beside the canal (on your left side). You'll pass two thai places,but you're going somewhere better! It's on a corner and will be facing you-about 7 tables inside.

Sightseeing-
Canal trip will give you an orientation.
Jordaan area-intersting quiet bohemian quarter with something interesting at every turn. Cafe Chris for example has a toilet that's so small it can only be flushed from the bar.
Leidesplein-good for people watching and some street entertainment.
Ann Frank House-likely to be very busy

Music-
De Melkweg (Milkyway) is an old hippy haunt,but it's a multi-event venue-you pay for a month's membership,plus whatever you go and see
Paradiso is similar
Both down in the Leidesplein end of town

Nearer your hotel are
Bimhuis-a jazz venue recently moved to near centraal station (go to central station and turn right and walk along the river front-either go right through the station to the back,or walk round and go under a low bridge)

Winston Hotel-basically just behind Beursstaat on Warmoesstraat. It'll have live music and a lively crowd,as will a number of places on Warmoesstraat (the last watering hole included,if it's not been closed down.

Have a good trip and if you should find yourself in The Frisco being served by a girl from Scotland,say hello to Allie for me. I expect she's moved on though now.

Wow... That post is very helpful Steve. I'll be printing this off. Many Thanks for that. Definetly be checkin out some of those places unless we find some others of interest.

No problem

Remember me to the Wildeman staff if you pop in. Although it's a good few years since I've been in,I'm sure if you give a description,mention Steve and Colombus beer they'll remember me