Amsterdam Nightlife

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Nightlife

Famed for its nightlife, Amsterdam offers visitors something quite unique when the sun goes down. A mixture of all sorts of entertainment, Amsterdam is sure to have something for everyone from the coffee bars and clubs to the pubs, drugs and women – the priority of which is up to the individual.

Amsterdam’s nightlife wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for the infamous Red Light District, which serves up its own unique brand of entertainment along the bustling canal-lined streets.

The mainstream nightlife centres round Leidseplein, where you can find all the most popular bars, restaurants and clubs which, although not as big flashy as their rivals in London and New York, are still the perfect place to showcase your dance moves. And since Leidseplein never really closes, revellers can literally dance the night away. The weekend starts on Thursday night so make sure you get enough sleep in preparation for a big weekend. The trendier clubs usually impose a strict dress code and open at 10pm and close by law at 4am during the week, while on weekends, clubs close at 5am.

Live music is very popular in Amsterdam and jazz is a favourite with the locals as many of the world’s great jazz legends have settled here. The city offers some fun jazz clubs such as Bourbon Street Jazz and Blues Club on Leidsekruisstraat.

Heading away from Leidseplein down Reguliersdwarsstraat, which has some good cafes and clubs, including a few gay ones, Rembrandtplein really comes alive at night with bright light and trendy, sophisticated places to while away the evening. Or for a more relaxed option, take a romantic stroll along the canals, which are lit up at night and watch the city go by.

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