Screaming beans is a ‘coffee meet wine bar’ and ‘breakfast meet late night dinner restaurant’. 
Amidst the tourist traps, there are two real must-visit places:
what i love about L&B
Whether you are a die-hard whisky-drinker or a total whisky-virgin, the bar tender treats you most respectfully and kindly.
This morning the first flakes of snow came twirling down. Winter 2012/2013 has started, and here is where to go to warm up! And yes, most of them feature a fire place.
Amsterdam is another bar richer: Dvars. To me it’s a cocktail bar, to my friend it’s a wine bar and to someone else it may be the bar where to enjoy a Scotch and cigar. The common denominator: it’s a BAR. Dvars wants to cater to all and doesn’t like to be placed in a tiny box.
Dvars is located in the Reguliersdwarsstraat… a long street name, which can be abbreviated to the ‘pink street’. Dvars is not a gay bar though, again: Dvars does not want to be boxed.
A true local all-year-round favourite is the bar located on Prinsengracht number 96. It’s conveniently called P96. There are two things that make P96 special:
1. this Jordanese bar is open till late-late (3am/4am)
2. it’s terrace is on the upper-deck of a boat, opposite the bar on the Prinsengracht.
… and because of its unique terrace I am featuring it as the terrace of the week.
When you can’t afford a Riva (boat), then just take a seat at this bar-restaurant 10 cm above the river Amstel!
Open since May 2012, Riva is welcome addition in the rather dull area of the Amstel station. Of course, on sunny days it's terrace is ideal. However, the glass walls allow you to enjoy the scenery also on let's-stay-indoors-days.
Misset Horeca is the Dutch (trade) magazine about hotels, restaurants and bars. I would like to share with you a part of their 'top 100 terraces of NL'. Included in the top 100 are 7 Amsterdam terraces and my cherished terrace at Château St. Gerlach nearby Maastricht.
1. Restaurant Eemlust (Baarn)
3. Restaurant-Cafe In de Waag, Nieuwmarkt Amsterdam See best terraces on Amsterdam square >
4. The College Hotel, Amsterdam South (my personal outdoor hang out) See best tranquil terraces in Amsterdam >
I am one of those people who would love to leave today’s rushed lifestyle and step back into time. Also fancy having a quiet drink in a ‘presidential‘ arm chairs and read a newspaper - made from real paper, as in web 0.0? Or how about sipping a cocktail while reclining on a chaisse longue? If you feel like it, light up a cigar or have a chat with the bar tender impeccably dressed in black and white. All of the above is possible at Bar Oldenhof.
With interchangeable weather like we are experiencing now, we have to enjoy every drop of sun we get, and continue the party when it’s chilly (and rainy). I’ve just found the place for you to enjoy summer life in Amsterdam.
The ship De Odessa is a replica of an old Russian trading ship. It is docked on the Veemkade, behind the Piet Heinkade (nearby Lloyds Hotel), next to the bridge that brings you to KNSM island.
If you find yourself on the ‘Cuyp’ and want to sit down, have a drink and enjoy fresh city air… head to De Pilsvogel. This bar is strategically located on a side street of the market and opposite het Ijscuypje (see best ice cream in Amsterdam). If there’s no seat available, then cross the triangular square and visit Het Paardje or Wijnbar Boelen & Boelen (see best wine bar in Amsterdam).
No, you don't need to take the car to visit this beautiful estate! Huize Frankendael with the restaurant Merkelbach in the coach house are located within the Amsterdam ring A10!
Cool terraces in Oud-West are hard to find. OK, the are many bars with some chairs on the pavement (ie Cafe Wilhelmina, Coffee Plaza, Overtoom). However, sitting between housing blocks or along a busy road, is just my preferred al fresco experience. There’s one little gem though: the WG Cafe.
When I have visited the same bar three times in one week, it’s only fair to share the experience with you. After the Supperclub, which had it’s haydays in the 90s, it took Amsterdam two decades to get up with ‘something different’. In this case: The Sopranos PianoBar.
Why I love it
A little terrace, right on the water and a true Jordanese ambiance. For pure bliss: a friend, sunshine and 't Smalle!
Clientele
Jordanese and other Amsterdammers, including tourists.
Sun exposure
Morning till late afternoon. Breakfast is served from 10-12h30.
Whenever the sun shines in Amsterdam, then you can catch those precious rays on the terrace of Cafe Cobra for sure. Why?
1. No buildings cast shade on the terrace.
2. The terrace is not occupied with local yuppies lounging for hours.
3. The terrace is large.
Which terrace is comfortable when it’s 7 Degrees Celsius? Well, the only place that came to my mind is the atrium of the Conservatorium hotel. It’s not a real terrace, but at least you get the sense of being outside without needing to wear a fur coat and gloves.
Spring has arrived with an abundance of sunshine and tulips. To enjoy the sun rays, Amsterdammers cheerfully head out to the terraces. Every week, I’ll focus on a new terrace for you to get acquainted with. I start with: Cafe Alverna.
Spend an evening or day in ancient times by and visit these historical bars and sights. They include the oldest bars of Amsterdam haven’t lost a bit of their gezelligheid over the centuries!
Regardless of your sexual-orientation, these gay bars are seriously fun. Everyone is focused at having a good time, making the ambiance is unbeatable.
One upside to biking in the winter: a guilt-free license to drink gallons of cacao. Need to warm up? Visit my favourite hot cacao places!
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