Café Belgique
One of the smallest bars in Amsterdam, Belgique still finds space for eight Belgian draught beers and more than 30 bottled varieties. Situated among tacky tourist traps in an alleyway just off Dam Square, Belgique has been able to preserve a sense of charm and credibility, partly through its reputation as one of the main hangouts for street artists and DJs in Amsterdam. While the beer selection consists of heady Belgian offerings, the interior is Dutch 17th century meets graffiti art. Old stone walls and oak panels have been spray painted by the London Police. Despite the smoking ban, the staff turn a blind eye if you light up.
• Gravenstraat 2, +31 20 625 1974, cafe-belgique.nl. Open Sun-Thurs 2pm-1am, Fri, Sat 2pm-3am
Pollux
A late-night dive bar with two of the most charismatic publicans you'll ever meet. The ever-smiling Frits single-handedly runs the bar while his wife Tanja sits on the same bar stool day and night, chain-smoking, smiling at customers and ordering neat vodkas. Eerily, the couple have wax statues of themselves doing exactly the same thing, resulting in a few highly inebriated customers attempting to get their change back from inanimate sculptures. The neon-lit 50s style jukebox is packed with classic rock and soul, making for some interesting moves on the stripper's pole – a remnant from the bar's former life as a go-go bar. Revellers have been known to stay well into the early morning – it depends what mood Frits is in and whether Tanja has drained the vodka supplies.
• Prins Hendrikkade 121, +31 20 624 9521, cafepollux.com. Open Tues-Thurs, Sun noon-3am, Fri, Sat noon-4am, food served noon-8pm
Brouwerij 't IJ
Better known as the "windmill brewery", Brouwerij 't IJ brews beer in the thatched windmill that towers over the terrace. There's a magical quality to sampling the local brew under such a magnificent structure, a feeling enhanced by the cheap prices (most €2.30) and the choice of five high-percentage beers. Don't be deceived by the small glasses, the windmill blades won't be the only thing spinning after you've sampled two or three Columbus ales, the strongest of the five offerings. The locals have even coined a term for the state of newcomers who end up stumbling, or sometimes crawling, away from the establishment – spinmilled.
• Funenkade 7, +31 20 622 8325, brouwerijhetij.nl. Open daily 3pm-8pm
't Smalle
Time stands still within this building, which was originally built as a Hoppe distillery in 1780. Old oak casks remain stacked above the bar area, and vintage brass furnishings, gleaming chandeliers, dripping candles and the smack of fermented alcohol make it feel like a Dutch traders' haunt from yesteryear. While they may not be from the 18th century, bearded Dutch locals still frequent the bar to gossip about the latest happenings in the neighbourhood. The building is also located on one of the prettiest canals in Amsterdam, meaning there tends to be a bit of a scrap for the waterside seats come summer. It's best to get there early, or soak up the atmosphere inside.
• Egelantiersgracht 12, +31 20 623 9617, t-smalle.nl. Open Sun-Thurs 10am-1am, Fri, Sat 10am-2am
Whiskycafé L&B
With around 1,400 different types of whisky and bourbon – sourced from Scotland, America, Canada, Japan and even India – the hardest thing about visiting Whiskycafé L&B is picking the right tipple. Luckily, the bar staff are enthusiastic whisky purists, who often provide samples and guide you through the extensive menu that's split into different regions of Scotland, and the rest of the world. The atmosphere is relaxed and genteel; there are usually a few solitary types sipping 40-year-old malts while reading – or at least pretending to read – a literary classic. But generally it is a very social place – the shared penchant for good whisky usually gets people talking long into the night.
• Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 82-84, +31 20 625 2387, whiskyproeverijen.nl. Open Sun-Thurs 8pm-3am, Fri, Sat 8pm-4am
Café Brecht
This Berlin-style living room cafe attracts students and literary types who discuss the merits of Brechtian drama while flicking through the plays that are scattered around. Inspired by Berlin's alternative bar scene, Sandra Houtman and her son decided to offer up their own piece of east German charm in the heart of Amsterdam. Berliner Pilsner, fritz-kola and a variety of German beers are on tap, and a selection of bratwurst is available. The atmosphere is casual and stylish; vintage furniture, and knitting needles, wool and threads on hand for crafty types. There's a literary open mic session on the last Sunday of each month, but you might want to brush up on your German.
• Weteringschans 157, +31 20 627 2211, cafebrecht.nl. Open Sun-Thurs noon-1am, Fri, Sat noon-3am
Vesper Bar
In a quiet corner just off bustling Haarlemmerstraat, this elegant cocktail bar feels like stepping into a happy hour scene from Mad Men. Expats and locals from the nearby advertising agencies enjoy their post-work tipple while discussing strategies and bashing away on smartphones. The decor is kitsch and sophisticated, with James Bond memorabilia sandwiched between fine liqueurs and pop art prints. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the bar offers "high tea cocktails"; a quirky alcoholic twist on traditional high tea. Cakes from neighbouring bakeries are served with teapots of cocktails. In a city not renowned for good cocktail bars, Vesper has raised the standards.
• Vinkenstraat 57, +31 20 846 4458, vesperbar.nl. Open Tues-Thurs 8pm-1am, Fri, Sat 8pm-3am
Chet's Jazz Café
Filled with elegant men and women sipping fine wines while chatting to the sounds of acoustic jazz and effortlessly snapping their fingers in time, Chet's Bar feels like stepping back into 1930s Chicago. Co-owner Diego Rattenni always states that he wants his customers to "soak up the jazz and savour the wine". The bar used to feature large-scale jazz bands four nights a week, but they received noise complaints from neighbours and have since had to stick to solo musicians and duos on Fridays and Saturdays. The understated music still provides the perfect backdrop for an evening of wine and conversation.
• Hazenstraat 19, +31 61 986 3190, chetsjazzcafe.com. Open Tues-Thurs, Sun 7pm-1am, Fri, Sat 7pm-3am
Café Sound Garden
Not much has changed in Sound Garden since it opened in the early 90s. Kurt Cobain lookalikes converse shyly in corners of the room, old rockers play pool or pinball, and a few suits – who probably had mohicans and listened to Bad Brains back in the day – sit on the sunny terrace which overlooks a nearby canal. While grunge bars can sometimes feel cliquey and even a tad pretentious, Sound Garden is surprisingly friendly, and you'll inevitably find yourself in conversation with muso strangers at some point – probably talking about the best places to find Mudhoney B-sides or Jesus and Mary Chain T-Shirts.
• Marnixstraat 164-166, +31 20 620 2853, cafesoundgarden.nl. Open Mon-Thurs 1pm-1am, Fri 1pm-3am, Sat 3pm-3am, Sun 3pm-1am
Okura Hotel
Amsterdam is saturated with cosy bars and casual beer cafés, but it can be hard to find more upmarket drinking establishments. Located in the south of the city, the Okura Hotel offers high-end drinks at high-end prices. While visiting might hurt your wallet, the service – and sense of sophistication – is unparalleled. Immaculately dressed white-gloved waiters offer you table service, and cocktails are mixed to your personal preference. On the 23rd floor, the upscale bar also offers a panoramic view of Amsterdam that can rarely be seen from the traditional, smaller Dutch buildings. Japanese businessmen, wealthy tourists and Dutch locals all frequent the establishment, making for an interestingly diverse crowd.
• Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, +31 20 678 7111, okura.nl. Open daily 6pm-1am
• Arun Sood writes for Amsterdam Magazine
