Ten Amsterdam pubs to visit this summer

Here's a list of Amsterdam's essential pubs. According to me, at least. Places you shouldn't miss if you're in the city this summer.

Wildeman
One of the world's top beer pubs. And they have loads of quality German lagers, perfect for cooling you down on a hot day. There's a no-smoking room, too, but that won't matter after July 1st, when smoking will be banned in Dutch pubs. Will that affect my sitting habits?


Arendsnest
The world of Dutch beer at your fingertips. The canalside tables are very pleasant at this time of year. Perhaps an ice-cold jenever might go down nicely, too. When the smoking ban arrives, drinking inside may bceome a possibility, too.





Blijburg
Hang out with the hippies at Amsterdam's coolest beach. If the weather's good, you could almost be in Negril. Get there this year, because the kill-joy council plan closing it forever at the end of the summer. Just love that driftwood bar with the Buddha head. Shame about the dogs, though.




Scharrebier
Another pub with a relaxing canalside terrace. Handy for NeMo, too. I would have also included a mention of the Scheepvartsmuseum, but that's currently undergoing renovation (like many myuseums in the city). A recent cheerful correspondent told me my Amsterdam pub guide was a bunch of tourist hellholes, with the exception of Scharrebier and Druif. See if you agree.


Haven van Texel
A full range of microbrewery Texelse beers and a terrace with some of the best views in town. When the sun goes down or it gets chilly, it's just a few steps to Olofspoort. Shit, that's eleven pubs now. Can't be arsed to change the title, mind.




Wijnand Fockink
The garden has reopened! This unique outdoor space is a real summer treat. Don't miss it. The perfect place for pickling yourself in jenever. Ever wonder what's around the back of the 17th century houses in the centre of Amsterdam? This is your chance to find out.



Wildschut
Located on Amsterdam's most beautiful square. Wonder at Boterenbrood's wilful asymmetricity. Wonder at the Rutger's curving brick balconies. The Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum are close by, too. There's plenty of space indoors and out in this substantial 1930's pub. The art deco interior matches the Amsterdamse School exterior perfectly.


Dopey's Elixir
Nothing particularly summery about Dopey's. I just thought it deserved a mention. And you wanted an excuse to visit De Pijp, didn't you? No? Well, you should do. It's full of all the ethnic and trendy stuff I imagine my readers going for. Don't know why. Imagine you like that sort of thing. You're probably a bunch of fat old blokes like me.



Brouwerj Het Ij
On a warm summer afternoon, nothing's more soothing than hiding inside Het Ij while everyone else mobs the beer garden. Dirt cheap, too. See if you can spot the join where the bar was recently extended.




Alverna
One of the few places in Amsterdam West where you can enjoy a beer outside and not be crammed on the pavement next to a main road. They have a few decent beers to make the experience extra special.




(This has been a post in the series "Get More Hits for my Website" and "Keep Mike Happy".)