Rembrandtplein
Amsterdam nightlife is a 24 hour (scratch that, 48 hour) experience, and Rembrandtplein is right at the centre of it. This huge square and hive of activity is packed full in the day, and even busier at night β home to the cityβs most famous bars, restaurants and terraces. Itβs only a 15 minute walk from Centraal Station itself, but itβs a world away from the red lights and windows. Itβs a lot swankier than any other nightlife district in the capital, and even spills out into the actual square during summer. Wicker furniture and alfresco drinkers fill the street, and enjoy that famous βcafΓ© cultureββ¦
Air Amsterdam is what this city was built on; a house/dance club that is slick, state-of-the-art and has seen the worldβs best DJs. Tiesto, Skrillex, Damian Lazarus and the Martinez Brothers have all played in the colossal split-level club, with a capacity of 1,300. Similarly, Escape is one of the biggest clubs to sit on these mean streets. Spread over five different areas β it doesnβt compromise on size. In fact, itβs a challenge to βescapeβ the Escape Club and main hall and Escape deLux β a club in a club on the first floor (and real life inception). Thatβs before getting through the Escape Studio and Escape Caffe next doorβ¦ Once youβve βbroken freeβ, itβs time for Club Smokeyβ¦ a huge venue dedicated to club nights throughout the week. And, this is what we mean by experience β every Monday night youβve got Smokey Vibes, as well as midweek specials and Fasten Your Seatbelts at the weekend.
The city of culture, canals and cobbles has a suave side to it, and thereβs no venue more upmarket than Club ABE. Set in a former bank and even named after the fella that used to run it, Abraham Carel Wertheim, ABE is different to every other club in the Netherlands. The bar thinks like a bank, but with booze. You enter through a gold staircase, passing 19th century paintings, with huge vault doors to the club or lounge β modified with gold leaf. If thatβs not a big enough stretch of the imagination (youβre hard to please), chill out in the XtraCold Ice Bar. Survive the hardship of the extreme cold and make like an Inuit (a sentence we never thought we would say) amongst 60 ton of natural ice. For those missing a slice of home (or bitter), Mulliganβs Irish Bar is calling. Whilst there may be more Guinness flowing in Amsterdam than you would believe, Mulliganβs is one of the originals β boasting drinks with ex-pats and open music sessions for your stag do.
Leidseplein
Leidseplein leads you into hipster and alternative territory in Amsterdam. Itβs underground, urban and edgy β particularly in comparison to its older brother, Rembrandtplein. Thereβs no difference in crowds day and night, as itβs a huge tourist centre and practically lined with βcoffee shopsβ for that sweet Mary J, restaurants and bars. The square and surrounding clubs are typically open past 5am β just in time for that emergency Full English.
Melkweg is the biggest name in the city, even bigger than Red Light District. In fact, itβs one of the most famous venues in Europe. The former milk factory, so named after the Milky Way (not dairy), is a sprawling building, set over five rooms. As well as a nightclub and live music venue, it also hosts film events and theatrical performance, as well as a cafΓ© at the back (a running theme in Amsterdam). This is where you reminisce over those 18-30 holidays to Ibiza, with the likes of Tiesto playing in the background. On the other side of the road, Paradiso sits confident as a massive club with a huge history. Established in a former church, this club has seen squatters in the 60s, the rock and punk music takeover, as well as The Rolling Stones, Adele, The Killers, Nirvana, Arctic Monkeys, Daft Punk and Guns βnβ Roses. Sugar Factory may be smaller than its big and bold cousins, but itβs got a personality that packs a serious punch. The less obvious gem is all about performance and art, with the occasional trapeze artist flying over the crowd. Itβs like Moulin Rouge has gone on a stag do and got smashedβ¦ Moving underground, Club Up is the unpolished, rough, urban and edgy destination of the young crowd (and you lot). Its attraction is in its unpretentiousness, but it also plays top house, hip hop, funk and commercial, all alongside a comfy mezzanine for that all-important rest (youβre not getting any younger). Lastly, but by no means least, youβve got Jimmy Woo (the challenge is not to be offensive after a few drinksβ¦). This is one of the only clubs in Amsterdam with international allure β a luxurious club that is known to keep the guestlist for only the most stylish. Every night is unique at Woo, and it can hold a massive 650 people in tuxes and ball gowns (just kiddingβ¦).
De Wallen
De Wallen, also known as the Red Light District, is what youβre really in Amsterdam for. Donβt kid a kidder, lads. This all-encompassing district is the brightest (literally) and most attractive (again, literally) spot in the capital for stags. Itβs packed full of women, booze and Rock βnβ Roll β itβs, basically, a Sex Pistols video in real life. And, if that doesnβt attract youβ¦
The Red Light District, split into three zones but with De Wallen the most famous, is at the centre of Amsterdamβs infamy β with βcoffee shopsβ, theatres and windows (over 290) lining the streets, and is said to make more than β¬500 million per year. The warren of medieval alleys β originally established for passing sailors β is centred around an old church, aptly-title Oude Kerk (old church). This is where sailors would confess the sins after window shoppingβ¦ But, enough of history β the atmosphere is buzzing, day and night. The streets may seem a bit of a minefield, but you can find out all about the district at brothel-turned-prostitute museum, Red Light Secrets, boasting eye-watering bondage exhibits. Casa Rosso is a certain stop on your tour β a world-famous, canal-side venue that displays live sex acts before your very eyes. It couldnβt get any more X-ratedβ¦ unless you visit the Banana Bar. Another of the capitalβs big attractions, Banana Bar, recognisable due to the neon banana above the door, is an adult bar with a difference. The difference being the performances with fruit, oils, massages and even vibrators. βCoffee shopsβ are also high in concentration in De Wallen β you can puff on the sweet Mary J, but tobacco is a strict no. Theyβve got those priorities just right.
As a general rule of thumb, be careful when taking pictures in and around the Red Light District β particularly of windows. Enforcers have been known to throw phones, cameras (and, possibly, you) in the water.
As you've decided Amsterdam is for you, have a look at our Amsterdam stag weekends page. Or, you can read up on even more reasons to choose the Dutch capital for your big celebration in our extensive guide.
We have an awesome range of Amsterdam stag activities from cruises to beer bikes to check out as well as some cracking Amsterdam stag accommodation. Start building your dream itinerary today.