Quick Guide to Leidseplein and Surroundings

Clanging white and blue trams hurtle down narrow Leidsestraat, scattering pedestrians and bicycles. This chaotic shopping street leads to Leidseplein and is filled with 24-hour Bureau de Change and souvenir shops all selling I-Amsterdam T-shirts.

During the day the Leidseplein buzzes with fire-eaters, street musicians and mime artists. At night it is the hang-out for tourist revelers and the occasional local. The neon-lit streets leading off the square are packed with restaurants, cinemas, coffee shops and clubs.

Leidseplein in summer

QUICK GUIDE TO CLUBS

WHAT: Alto Jazz Café

WHERE: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115, map

WHEN: Monday – Thursday 9 pm – 3 am, Friday – Saturday 9 pm – 4 am

Small brown café that attracts a slightly older crowd, blues, jazz and soul

WHAT: Maxim Piano Bar

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Le Vie en Rose B&B
Amsterdam City Center
$161 USD per night

Central, Cute, and Cosy
Red Light District
$155 USD per night

Oude Waal B&B
Historic Nieuwmarkt area
$122 USD per night

WHERE: Leidsekruisstraat 35, map

WHEN: Mon – Thu and Sun: 9 pm – 3 am, Fri and Sat 9 pm – 4 am

Favourite by music lovers who like to sing along

WHAT: Melkweg

WHERE: Lijnbaansgracht 234, map

Live music plus dance hall, cinemas, fringe theatre, lounges and art galleries. Mega venue that attracts 300,000 visitors every year.

WHAT: Paradiso

WHERE: Weteringschans 6, map

Rock, hip-hop and world music in a former church

WHAT: Boom Chicago

WHERE: Leidseplein 12 (map)

Comedy club based on improvisational theatre. English-language stand-up comedians and is best enjoyed over dinner and with a few drinks.

QUICK GUIDE TO COFFEESHOPS aka where to smoke marijuana

WHAT: Bulldog Coffeeshop

WHERE: Leidseplein 17 (map)

WHEN: daily 9 am – 1 am

Bulldog, Leidseplein branch, opened its doors on 1 April 1985 with a wink to the establishment. Nobody believed that a coffeeshop was to open in a former police station.

WHAT: Rookies Coffeeshop

WHERE: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 145, map

WHEN: Daily 10:00 – 01:00

Old style coffeeshop with pub style ambience. More authentic than touristy Bulldog.

QUICK GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS

WHAT: Oesterbar (Oyster Bar)

WHERE: Leidseplein 10 (map)

WHEN: daily 12:00 – 23:00

Sublime oysters, but also scallop and octopus terrine and sea bass served with tagliatelli

photo credit: personal collection