Leidseplein: Best Party and Clubbing in Amsterdam

Leidseplein in Amsterdam buzzes with activity day and night. Sip chardonnay and savour bitterballen, bite-size deep-fried ragout filled balls. On chilly spring and autumn days wrap a fleece shawl around your shoulders and only the tip of your nose will get cold. In winter the square is almost abandoned. All activity shifted inside bars and cafes.

Restaurants

Hundreds of restaurants huddle in the narrow streets just off Leidseplein, creating a culinary diversity. Choosing the right type of cuisine is an attraction in itself; Indonesian, Chinese, Surinam, Greek, Italian, French, Spanish, Mexican, Turkish, Ethiopean, Tibetan and more. They all post their menus out front both in Dutch and English. If Leidseplein is too crowded for you, walk east along Prinsengracht, Kerkstraat or Keizersgracht. Touristy places dry up after a few blocks and you will find a scattering of interesting bars and restaurants.

Best of Leidseplein

For Potheads

Bulldog Palace, Leidseplein 15, daily from 08.00-01.00 Bulldog is a famous coffee shop aka hash bar chain with attached souvenir shop Bulldog Palace opened its door on 1 April 1985 in a former police station, a wink to the established orders. This place is always full with tourists and the occasional local, a very safe coffeeshop experience for beginners. It is a bit like going to Bangkok and drinking coffee at Starbucks.

For Shopping Addicts

Trendy clothing, souvenirs or athletic gear? Leidsestraat is packed with exclusive shops and boutiques, and not a single big mainstream store. Imelda Marcos would jump for joy because every other shop seems to sell shoes. Check out Frozz at number 69. Drool over cream-filled chocolates, ice-creams and dark chocolate.

For Spicy-food Eaters

Restaurant Bojo, Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 49, daily 16.00 – 24.00 Bojo is an informal Indonesian eatery with affordable prices. If hunger strikes, drop in for a Bojo Rames – white rice with spiced stewed beef and chicken, green bean in coconut sauce and prawn crackers. Or would you rather have Nasi Goreng Dwaja – fried rice with giant shrimps? Bamboo covered walls and authentic ethnic food make you feel as if you are in Indonesia.

For Comedy Lovers

Boom Chicago, Leidseplein 12 Amsterdam’s longest running English language comedy night out. Shows are a mixture of audience-prompted improvisations and rehearsed sketches. They are fast, political, musical and above all funny. They provide a wry look at life and poke fun at people on both sides of the Atlantic.

Pub Crawl

Dance, party and drink. Join a guided pub crawl and party hassle-free. Included in the tour: unlimited free shots between 20.30 and 21.00, six pubs and clubs, six free drinks.

Sights and things to do within walking distance of Leidseplein:

Rijksmuseum
Browsing and Buying in the Nine Streets
Van Gogh Museum