Top 10 Best Bars in Amsterdam for Beer
The best bars in Amsterdam are some of the best bars anywhere.
Beer Loving Locals
Like most of Europe the Dutch love their beer. You might have heard of their famous export, Heineken? In fact, The Netherlands was the biggest exporter of beer in Europe in 2021 and the second biggest in the World.*
Despite local governments recent efforts to discourage hard-partying tourists we expect that Amsterdam will remain a popular destination for those looking to let loose for a few days and enjoy the vast beer scene.
Of course, you can come to Amsterdam, not act like a total barbarian, and still enjoy the many bars (cafes as they are sometimes called here) Amsterdam has to offer.
There are bars along the canal where you can sit under the sun and sip a cool craft IPA, bars like dark caves to spend a cosy night, and even bars in the middle of the park surrounded by ancient trees and serene nature.
Like the rest of the beer drinking world the Dutch have also taken to the craft beer revolution. Meaning you’ll find interesting bottles and cans from across the world and local Dutch breweries. Of course, you’ll still find the (often cheaper) well-known brands like Heineken. Most bars also serve wine, spirits, and (sometimes) cocktails.
If you’re on the lookout for a wine bar specifically try our guide to the best wine bars of Amsterdam.
REMEMBER:
Vegan options
Your carnivorous friends will also find options here
Beers & Burgers
Another highlight of beer bars in Amsterdam is closely aligned with the Dutch love of cheese. On most bar menus you’ll find a Kaasplankje (cheese board), for when you get peckish. On other menus you’ll find much more. Like loaded fries, nachos, burgers – food which makes you want to stay for the long haul.
We certainly don’t encourage the type of behaviour Amsterdam is actively trying to rub out: vomiting on the street, urinating on the street, passing out on the street – being a general social nuisance on the beautiful streets of Amsterdam. But we do encourage respectfully settling into a cosy bar and trying some of the best beer the Netherlands has to offer.
*Mexico topped the World – setting a reminder to visit asap.
Proeflokaal Arendsnest 🍗
A traditional bar with wood panelling and brass pipes which create a striking welcome. The staff at Proeflokaal Arendsnest are friendly and knowledgeable and they serve over 100 beers, but only from Dutch breweries. You could spend hours trying the endless rotating list of beers on tap. If you’re a fan of stout, we recommend visiting in the winter when they have more of the black stuff on. But they always keep a few throughout the year. Arguably the best bar in Amsterdam.
De Eeuwige Jeugd 🌱🍗
The Eeuwige Jeugd brewery café is located just beside Oosterpark and is well worth a visit. You can expect excellent beer and food. Their extensive food menu is bubbling with lots of veggie options – we recommend the vegetarian kapsalon loaded fries with a side of the breweries own IPA. The outdoor terrace is the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon in Amsterdam with some friends, food, and beer – the ultimate trifecta.
De Biertuin 🌱 🍗
With multiple locations across the city, we love De Biertuin for its relaxed vibe, great service, and their impressive beer list. Another serious perk of this place is their allowances for big group bookings – a rarity in Amsterdam where small bars can get packed out quickly. It’s also another spot where they have excellent food options to munch whilst sipping a cold one. Naturally we suggest the burger – because what’s better than a beer and a burger? Or the outrageously sized supernachos.
Brouwerij 't IJ 🌱 🍗
One of the best breweries in Amsterdam producing some of the best beer. They also offer beer tastings where you can try a selection of their output. The huge outdoor terrace under a traditional Dutch windmill is the perfect spot to spend a warm, rainless day. You can even take a short tour of the brewery to see how their beer is made. We especially love their IPA which is on the right side of hoppy. Additionally, if you’re in Vondelpark for a stroll, stop by their Blue Tea House for a beer on their huge terrace.
Troost 🌱🍗
Beginning its brewery life in De Pijp before expanding to Westergas and Oud West, the Troost breweries deliver great local beer in a buzzy environment that makes you not want to leave. With a focus on using local and organic they grew into making soft drinks, and even their own gin. Their Club Tropicana beer is a fruity uplift to the usual heaviness of some beers. Equally impressive is their Virgin I.P.A and Wit Beer – a.k.a their famous beers sans alcohol. In other great news, in an effort to practice what they preach regarding sustainability, the food menu is now totally vegetarian/ vegan!
Arie 🌱🍗
A neighbourhood bar filled with the locals of De Pijp. This tiny corner building doesn’t hold many and we recommend booking ahead if you can. They have a lovely terrace on the street with good shade if you’re trying to dodge the sun or the rain. A nice collection of beers on tap and other drinks if not everyone in your gang is a craft beer enthusiast. The food here also happens to be really good too. Again, we vouch for the burger (double smashed patty for the win), and their fries are delicious.
*Side note – also happens to be a very popular brunch spot.
Waterkant 🌱🍗
Amsterdammers favourite place to drink cold beer in the hot sunshine. Perfect in the summer, the Waterkant is a canalside bar with most of its seats outside with views overlooking the water. Located on a sunny corner you can sit and enjoy their nice mix of standard bar food, such as nachos and (vegan) bitterballen or Surinamese specialties. All while watching the locals glide by on their boats and the tourists stutter and struggle with their rudders.
Mikkeller at Morebeer🌱 🍗
A tiny bar, centrally located. We recommend Mikkeller for the serious beer drinker. They have a long list of bottles and cans to try and a solid selection on tap. If it’s too busy inside there are some tables outside where you can people watch while sipping your drink. We were also impressed by their snack menu, especially those crispy fries and the stellar veggie options.
Lions Head Restaurant and Brewery🍗
A great bar if you want to watch live sports with fresh beer and good food. They offer some interesting beers, including the surprisingly delightful watermelon wheat beer. You can expect the usual pub-style fare with a South African twist on some dishes. The chilli peppers and mozzarella sticks from the snack menu were a perfect accompaniment to the beer.
Café Gollem 🍗
Traditional Dutch cafes – you’ll find a few Café Gollems across the city. A great choice if you have a penchant for Belgian beers or world beers in general (not just Dutch). The cafes (and the food) have the old-timey atmosphere of a bygone era. Classic wooden panelling, chairs, and tables keep you feeling cosy and as though you’ve slipped into another time. They are all about the beer here and you’ll find a long list of options to try.
