Leidseplein Stag Do Guide - Amsterdam

Stag Nightlife Guide to Amsterdam's Leidseplein

Top Reasons to Visit the Leidseplein
	Bars - Leidseplein is a prime nightlife square in Amsterdam, so you’ll have your pick of bars and clubs when celebrating here.
	Restaurants - You won’t have to travel far to satisfy those munchies, as you can get breakfasts, lunches and dinners in most of the bars and pubs here.
	Music - Home to Melkweg, the musical and cultural centre of Amsterdam.
	Shopping - Local retailers and big, chain brands all have branches around Leidseplein, but let’s face it, you’re not here to go shirt shopping…
	Art - Fans of Art Nouveau should definitely check out the American Hotel, with original artwork and interior décor almost fully intact.

Leidseplein leads you into hipster and alternative territory in Amsterdam. It’s underground, urban and edgy – particularly in comparison to its older brother, Rembrandtplein. No matter whether you’re a reserved group of lads, who just fancy a few drinks and watching the world go by, or you’re a more rowdy sort, whose main stag do priorities are massive clubs, huge tunes and shots, shots, shots – there’s something for you in Leidseplein. This central square is located on the southwest end of Leidsestraat (straat = street and plein = square, just to clear that up) and is alive with all walks of life, throughout the day and night.

This pulsating square plays host to iconic tourist attractions, cinemas, bars, nightclubs, music venues and, of course, the world-renowned, underground smokers’ den, Bulldog Palace coffee shop. This coffee shop was the first coffee shop of its kind to reach Amsterdam in 1974, and really set the bar for the ‘living room’ style spots to relax, in a former police station. Raise a glass to The Bulldog Palace in one of the top 10 bars and clubs in this busy district. The square and surrounding clubs are typically open past 5am – just in time for that emergency Full English.

Top 10 Stag Do Pubs in Leidseplein

The prime nightlife square in Amsterdam has the ultimate lad pad bars. The busy square plays host to coffee shops, tourist attractions and the biggest music venues in the city. For your live music fix, you needn't look any further than Leidseplein.

1. Melkweg

Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 1017 PH Amsterdam, Netherlands

Welcome to one of Europe’s most famous venues. The former milk factory opened in 1970 and still going strong to this day. Literally translating as ‘Milky Way’, the popular music venue and cultural centre, Melkweg, is Leidseplein’s answer to, well, everything. It’s truly out of this world, if you’ll excuse the pun. Boasting everything from live music and club nights, to photography showcases, cinema and festivals, this is the ultimate arts space and a great place to put the day and night in on your stag do.

• No. of Bars: Five
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: Outdoor terraces
• Live Music: Yes
• Fancy Dress: Yes, tasteful
• Opening Times: Opening Times: Mon – Sun: 12:00 – 05.00

2. Paradiso

Weteringschans 6-8, 1017 SG Amsterdam, Netherlands

You thought the capital of drunken debauchery couldn’t get any better? You ain’t seen nothing yet. On the other side of the road to Melkweg, Paradiso sits confident as a massively popular, huge club with its own, unique ambiance and history dating back to 1968. Established in a former church, this club has seen squatters in the 60s, the rock and punk music takeover, as well as The Rolling Stones, Adele, The Killers, Nirvana, Arctic Monkeys, Daft Punk and Guns ‘n’ Roses; in other words, it doesn’t get much bigger than Paradiso.

• No. of Bars: Two
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: Outdoor terraces
• Live Music: Yes
• Fancy Dress: Yes, tasteful
• Opening Times: Mon – Sun: 18:00 – late

03. Sugar Factory

Lijnbaansgracht 238, 1017 PH Amsterdam, Netherlands

Sugar Factory is in search of people who are ‘preoccupied with the impossible’, and we think your stag do fits the bill. At the heart of the hipster music-come-theatre scene in Amsterdam, lies Sugar Factory. This place is smaller than the likes of Paradiso and Melkweg, but still attracts huge crowds (almost 200,000 annually, to be precise) and hosts hundreds of events throughout the year. The fancy stage has become a popular springboard for upcoming talent, such as live bands, singer/songwriters and young organizations with remarkable initiatives. Thought you were sweet enough? Think again.

• No. of Bars: Two
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: Yes
• Fancy Dress: No
• Opening Times: Mon – Sun: 18:00 – late

04. Chupito’s

Zieseniskade 25, 1017 RT Amsterdam, Netherlands

Wine? Wouldn’t thank you for it. Pints? They’re alright. Shots? Now you’re talking. With, literally, hundreds of shots on offer – from flaming shots, to XX-strong shots and everything in between. Chupito’s is not just about the drink, it’s an experience, and if you’re running full-pace into your Amsterdam night out, it’s the very best place to do it. Excellent for stag groups, Chupito’s will fuel your night until the early hours. You won’t regret a thing.

• No. of Bars: One
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: Yes
• Fancy Dress: No
• Opening Times: Sun – Thurs: 21:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sat: 21:00 – 04:00

05. Njoy

Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 93, 1017 PX Amsterdam, Netherlands

Slightly more reserved than its surrounding bars, Njoy will crank your stag do celebrations up a classy notch. The experts in mixology bring you some of the most premium spirits you can get your hands on, as well as a whole load of creative ways to drink them. Experience gin, Champagne, vodka, rum, tequila, bourbon, whisky and cognac in heightened ways you never thought you could. The music played here is also a little bit more sophisticated and played at a volume where you can still chat, as well as dance. Post a couple of pictures here and you’ll be the Nvy of everyone back at home, guaranteed.

• No. of Bars: One
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: No
• Fancy Dress: No
• Opening Times: Mon – Sun: 17:00 – 04.00

06. Bourbon Street

Leidsekruisstraat 6-8, 1017 RH Amsterdam, Netherlands

Much like its surrounding bars, Bournon Street is the place to hit for your music fix. You’ll spot this one a mile off, with the iconic two statues dancing on the roof, welcoming everyone through its doors. Offering live music every single night of the week, even if you’re not a fan of dancing in a club, this will have your feet tapping from the off. This place is so iconic in Holland, it’s even got its own merch. that you can buy once you’re in there. Beats a fridge magnet and a dodgy keyring as a souvenir…

• No. of Bars: One
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: Yes
• Fancy Dress: No
• Opening Times: Sun – Thurs: 22:00 – 04:00, Fri – Sat: 22:00 – 05:00

07. Cafe Amsterdamned

Leidsekruisstraat 6-8, 1017 RH Amsterdam, Netherlands

For the past two decades, Cafe Amsterdamned has been a household name on the Leidseplein nightlife scene and is showing no signs of fazing away. Recently completely renovated, it’s now bigger and better than ever before, with experienced bartenders, a huge range of high-quality drinks and crazy lighting schemes to match. This bar-come-club is a good place to either start your night, or end it, as it seamlessly transcends from evening bar to late night club zone. Not to be missed.

• No. of Bars: One
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: No
• Fancy Dress: Yes
• Opening Times: Sun – Thurs: 21:00 – 04:00, Fri – Sat: 21:00 – 05:00

08. Luminaa

Leidseplein 22, 1017 PT Amsterdam, Netherlands

Located right in the heart of Leidseplein, this is a high end bar for a classier sort of stag do (so suit and boot up, gents). What sets this place apart from the rest is the highly tuned bar staff. Don’t be afraid to tell them what you like and don’t like – they welcome this sort of feedback and constantly challenge themselves to make the perfect drinks for all of their customers. Push them to their limits. Go on, we are you. Tell them the flavour base you’re looking for and sit back as they concoct your new favourite drink. They even offer a huge food menu, blending recognisable flavours with completely new ones, all exploding in one taste sensation; this really would be lining the stomachs in style.

• No. of Bars: One
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: No
• Fancy Dress: No
• Opening Times: Sun – Thurs: 21:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sat: 21:00 – 04:00

09. Satellite Sportscafe

Leidseplein 11, 1017 PS Amsterdam, Netherlands

Despite Leidseplein being a live music hotspot and 24-hour party zone, you need somewhere to chill, too. Playing all of the biggest games, Satellite Sportscafe is an excellent spot to grab a few beers, recount last night’s antics and watch every kind of sport you could possibly imagine. There’s an additional 80 outdoor seats on the sheltered and heated terrace sports bar, so you can watch all of the biggest games, al fresco. They’ve got some cracking drinks offers on, and you can even get unlimited spare ribs here - just saying.

• No. of Bars: One
• Sports: Yes
• Beer Garden: Yes
• Live Music: No
• Fancy Dress: Yes
• Opening Times: Sun – Thurs: 21:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sat: 21:00 – 04:00

10. Kopstootbar

Marnixstraat 429, 1017 PK Amsterdam, Netherlands

Encapsulating everything it is to be hipster, Kopstootbar is the quirky Wonderland that has set tongues wagging since its opening day. With plants and foliage hanging from the ceiling, a mismatch of furniture, disco balls, exposed brickwork and some of Amsterdam’s most up and coming DJs performing, it’s unlike anything else on Leidseplein. Offering some of the most unique drinks and some tasty food to complement it, it’s a stag do must. Remember that it closes a lot earlier than other bars in the area, making it the ideal ‘warm up’ bar, before heading to some of the neighbouring superclubs.

• No. of Bars: One
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: No
• Fancy Dress: Yes, tasteful
• Opening Times: Tues – Thurs: 17:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat: 17:00 – 03:00