A Local Reveals The Best Places To Eat, Drink, And Play In Amsterdam

OCCI is oftentimes a bit too alternative for my taste, however I have enjoyed some truly memorable nights there, and the quality of bands is always very good.

The Vondelbunker is another alternative culture hotspot that's privy only to locals and it's located right in the Vondelpark. They don't organize very many events (and when they do, they usually don't post them on their website), however they're always special.

Where the locals get tipsy:

One of the most happening nightlife spots in Amsterdam at this moment is Roest in Amsterdam East. They have an event almost every night of the week. You can stay here for a "do it yourself" barbecue and campfire with locals. And if you're lucky, you'll find a good party stirring late night.

Most ludicrous stereotype about the people here:

As softdrugs are semi-legal in Amsterdam, many people are under the impression that most Amsterdam locals get high all the time. The truth is, we smoke a lot less weed than in countries around us where softdrugs are illegal. And we certainly smoke less than tourists! Being able to buy weed legally in a shop makes using softdrugs uninteresting for most locals. Most people try it a couple of times, and decide it's not for them.

Some "coffee shops" (that's how the shops where you can buy softdrugs are referred to) used to be my favorite places to go, because of their relaxed atmosphere. Coffee shops used to be great places to drink beer with friends, but unfortunately many laws changed in the last few years. It's no longer possible to buy alcohol in coffee shops, or to smoke. Unfortunately, most coffee shops are now deserted and have lost their lively soul.

If I had only 24 hours to explore Amsterdam I would:

Amsterdam is a relatively small city, so you can see a lot in one day. On a typical weekend, my wife and I bike from the South (where we live) to North Amsterdam, to West Amsterdam, to East Amsterdam and back South. You'll get a good glimpse of the city if you do what we do almost every week!

First, head to one of the big canals and bike the entire length, stopping frequently to admire the beautiful houses. If the weather is nice, buy a sandwich and sit as you watch the boats go by.

Then bike towards central station (try to avoid the awful touristy Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein and Rokin) and hop on the free ferry to cross the river IJ to NDSM wharf (you can take your bike along free of charge).

The NDSM wharf area is where the world's first super large container ships were made. Nowadays, it's a creative hotspot with lots of artists and galleries. A great place to have coffee is at the "beach" bar Pllek.

Take the ferry across the canal again. Not to Central Station, but to Houthavens. Check out the wonderful warehouses near the river from the ferry and the view of the center of Amsterdam. The former Gas factory "Westergasfabriek" is another beautiful factory turned into a cultural hotspot with lots of galleries and cafés. It's situated in one of my favorite local parks - Westerpark.

Hit the road again with your rental bike, to the far East of Amsterdam, about a 30-minute bike ride. Amsterdam East is the most international part of Amsterdam. Take advantage of it by having Suriname food at the Dappermarkt.

After that, you deserve a beer at one of the most iconic breweries in Amsterdam - Brouwerij 't IJ. It's located in an old windmill, so you'll also be able to enjoy some Dutch nuances!