Had enough Heineken? Ready for something new? Amsterdam has a specialty beer bar just for you!

The beer scene is really taking off in Amsterdam lately. A new craft beer bar seems to open each month. We love it! If you are a fan of special beers from around the world, check out one of our favorite craft beer bars below. And don’t miss a visit to one of Amsterdam’s local breweries to try more special beers.

15 CRAFT BEER BARS IN AMSTERDAM

Cafe Gollem

Gollem is a pioneering specialty beer cafe in Amsterdam. At the charming original location in a tiny alley in the center of Amsterdam, Café Gollem has served Belgian beers to thirsty patrons for almost 40 years. This bar stocks more than 200 types of bottled beers and 10 beers on tap.

Gollem fans can also get their fix at the location on Overtoom where there are more than 20 beers on tap and 60 in the bottle. Relax outside on a sunny day and observe the busy traffic on Overtoom, or sit inside and enjoy a Trappist cheese fondue along with your Belgian brew. Or visit the location in De Pijp that often hosts special tastings with local brewers. And don’t miss the newest location on Amstelstraat, an oasis of beer near Rembrantplein. And go for a burrito at The Salsa Shop afterward.

Gollem Amsterdam
Raamsteeg 4, Amsterdam
Overtoom 160-162, Amsterdam
Daniel Stalpertstraat 74, Amsterdam
Amstelstraat 34, Amsterdam

‘t Arendsnest

Did you know that there are more than 50 breweries in the Netherlands? Neither did we before finding this fantastic bar dedicated to Dutch beers. Arendsnest is a lovely place with elegant ambiance and uniformed staff serving a wide variety of beers brewed in the Netherlands, as well as jenever and other liquors. The knowledgeable bartenders will assist you in finding a beer that suits your palate from the 30 beers on tap and more than 100 in bottle. So far our favorite beers are Texels Skuumkoppe, Jopen Ongelovige Thomas, and De Roos Bikse Tripel but we are always ready to sample a new brew!

Be sure to visit this amazing bar to taste beers you cannot find anywhere else.

Arendnest Proeflokaal
Herengracht 90, Amsterdam

Cafe Belgique

Cafe Belgique is a miniature bar serving special Belgian beers in a dark cozy atmosphere complete with melting candles. It’s the perfect place to rest your feet after shopping on a cold rainy day on the Nieuwendijk. Try a cherry flavored kriek or one of the Trappist beers. Belgique is tiny so they don’t have the huge selection that other bars have, but they make up for it in cozy charm. Be warned it can sometimes get a little smoky in here, and quite crowded during the tourist season.

Cafe Belgique
Gravenstraat 2, Amsterdam

In De Wildeman

Definitely a specialty bar, Bierproeflokaal In De Wildeman has 200 types of bottled beers and nearly 20 beers on tap. Located in a historic distillery, this two-room bar has plenty of tables where you can sit and chat with friends over Belgian, Dutch, German, or British beer. This place is serious, they don’t play any music, but the atmosphere can still get lively. One evening we learned some clever Dutch proverbs (like nu komt de aap uit de mouw) from a friendly older gentleman while sampling from their excellent selection of gueuze. This is a beer lovers paradise.

In de Wildeman
Kolksteeg 3, Amsterdam

Beer Temple

The owners of ‘t Arendsnest also opened the Beer Temple, serving specialty beers from the good ol’ USA and other places around the world. There are 30+ beers on tap and more than 140 in bottle. A terrific place for expats homesick for the flavor of American microbrews or to introduce your local friends to new beer varieties. Beer Temple also serves their own local beer brands. It’s a great spot to visit if you like IPA style beers. Also be sure to check out Craft & Draft, another sister beer cafe on Overtoom.

Beer Temple
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 250, Amsterdam

Hoppy Days

Smack dab in the center of the city you’ll find a hidden beer and food gem, Hoppy Days. This restaurant and beer bar serves Italian food and craft beer as well as international brews. Follow them on Facebook to find out about their special events like Halloween parties, themed dinners and of course Italy’s football matches on the TV!

Hoppy Days
Koggestraat 1A, Amsterdam

Bar Joost

A chill neighborhood bar in Amsterdam Oost, Bar Joost has one of the best local beer lists in Amsterdam. You’ll find beers from Butcher’s Tears, Two Chefs, Brouwerij ‘t IJ, Nordman, Bruut, Amsterdam Brewboys and Oedipus among others. Of course like any nice neighborhood bar they also have snacks and other drinks. Stop by and taste the newest local brews.

Bar Joost
Molukkenstraat 33, Amsterdam

BRET

A beer cafe and restaurant in old shipping containers near the Sloterdijk train station, BRET is becoming a favorite for locals and visitors alike. Go for their tasty food and try a beer from one of the local brewers. Perfect in the summertime with their large sunny garden and roof terrace.

BRET
Orlyplein 76, Amsterdam

De Zotte

Another Belgian beer bar in the center of the city is De Zotte. This cafe also serves hearty food along with their 130+ beer options. A good option for early dinner and drinks before dancing the night away at the nearby Melkweg or Club Air. It can get quite crowded in this small br later in the evening. The owners of De Zotte also opened Tripel, a bar in the Jordaan that serves Belgian beers with a dose of punk music. Check it out!

de Zotte
Raamstraat 29, Amsterdam

De Brabantse Aap

This Amsterdam cafe serving a great selection of Belgian beers on Het Spui, where on a (rare haha!) rainy day you can sip a beer in their glass-walled room and still look out on the passing traffic. Enjoy watching the talented Dutch riding their bicycles with umbrella in one hand and cellphone in the other while balancing a full shopping bag on the handlebars.

De Brabantse Aap
Spui 30, Amsterdam

Dopey’s Elixer

If you live in De Pijp or Zuid and don’t feel like heading to the center to drink beer, well you are in luck! Dopey’s Elixer is kind of hidden away on a side street, but it’s not hard to find. This large bruincafe has a huge beer selection including many Belgian ales. Twelve taps and lots of beer in bottles means that Dopey’s has the perfect elixer for you.

Dopeys Elixer
Tweede van de Helststraat 52A, Amsterdam

Tripel

One of the newest Belgian beer bars on the scene, Tripel has a huge selection of brews from Belgium on tap and in bottle. They also serve hearty Belgian food so make a reservation and go for dinner. Another thing that sets Tripel apart is that they usually play loud punk music in the bar, which adds to the cool dark atmosphere. If the sun is shining, head first to Waterkant across the road and enjoy some good beers and soak up the rays there before hiding out at Tripel when the sun goes down.

Tripel Amsterdam
Lijnbaansgracht 161, Amsterdam

Cafe de Spuyt

Avoid the madness on the nearby Leidseplein at this small cozy bar with more than 100 Dutch and Belgian beers in stock. Perhaps try a Jopen beer from the local town of Haarlem, their Stout is fantastic. Or maybe a Mannenliefde from local Oedipus Brewery. The beers on tap change regularly but they always have a wide selection of bottles on hand. This is by far our favorite beer bar in the Leidseplein area.

Cafe de Spuyt
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 86, Amsterdam

De Biertuin

De Biertuin isn’t just a beer garden as the name implies. It’s a great place to go in any weather. Check out the selection of beers on tap, or try something in a bottle. De Biertuin serves brews from Brouwerij ‘t IJ and Two Chefs Brewing, as well as beers from the USA, Belgium and other locales. They even have a gluten-free, organic and fairtrade beer called Mongozo! Their Oost location can be super popular, so it may be wise to secure a table reservation around dinnertime. The newest branch is conveniently located right in the city center near Leidseplein.

De Biertuin
Linnaeusstraat 29, Amsterdam
Prinsengracht 494, Amsterdam

Craft & Draft

With 40 great beers on tap and more than 100 in bottle, this spacious beer cafe will have something to suit your palate. Craft & Draft stocks beers from all over the world and regularly host tap takeovers and other tasting events. Check it out!

Craft & Draft
Overtoom 417, Amsterdam

TapZuid

Newly opened in Amsterdam Zuid in the Rivierenbuurt neighborhood, this small beer cafe has a changing selection of brews on tap from local and international brewers. Take a seat inside or on their nice roomy terrace and enjoy a few beers and some tasty food too. The flammkuchen is super popular.

TapZuid
Maasstraat 70, Amsterdam

‘Cause Beer Loves Food

It’s true, beer and food is the perfect harmony. And everyone knows that after a few strong craft beers you really should eat something hearty. Why not make it something delicious that is perfectly paired with another great beer? This small beer bar and restaurant sits on a quiet street just off Leidseplein and is a great place to combine your passion for beer with your love for tasty food.

‘Cause Beer Loves Food
Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 4, Amsterdam

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Want a closer look at some of Amsterdam’s best beer cafes? Check out this fun video.

If you love beer don’t miss a visit to at least one of the local breweries like Oedipus, Butcher’s Tears, De Prael and Brouwerij ‘t IJ. You’ll find them all on the free PDF map. You can print the double-sided map or use it on your smartphone or tablet. It has all the breweries, beer bars and specialty beer shops in Amsterdam!

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