Rembrandtplein Stag Do Guide - Amsterdam

Stag Nightlife Guide to Amsterdam's Rembrandtplein

Top Reasons to Visit Rembrandtplein
	Bars - Rembrandtplein is one of the main nightlife areas in Amsterdam, and has a cult following of hardcore clubbers
	Restaurants - From posh nosh restaurants to kebab shop takeaways, your hunger will be sorted right out in this area
	Music - DJs including Tiesto, David Guetta and Paul van Dyk regularly host club nights here
	Shopping - Bar and nightclub heavy, if it’s retail therapy you’re looking for, this square probably isn’t for you
	Art - Named after everyone’s favourite Dutch painter, do you really need to ask if there’s any art around Rembrandtplein?

Typically the little more 'loose around the edges’ brother of Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein is one for the fast-paced thrill seekers out there. Named after Rembrandt (not the last you’ll hear of this Dutch master painter), this is one of the busiest squares in the whole city. This place has come a long way since its origins of being a lively hub for farmers selling and trading their dairy wares, and is now a goldmine of late night bars, massive clubs and laid-back coffee shop goers. A statue of Rembrandt himself watches down over the square’s antics (don’t worry, your secrets are safe with him), making him a great meeting point in case you happen to get separated from the group.

This square is the place to be for clubbers mainly, but it is also an excellent place to have a relaxing ‘coffee’ or few quiet beers in prep for a big night out. Basically, a night in Rembrandtplein is whatever you want to make it. You’ll have your pick of bars and clubs in this area, so wherever you decide to let the night take you, it’s there for the asking.

Top 10 Stag Do Pubs in the Rembrandtplein

Home to multi-tiered dancefloors and big name DJs - Tiesto, David Guetta and Paul van Dyk, we're looking at you - Rembrandtplein is a clubber's dream. However, it's also got the laid-back coffee shop side to explore, too.

01. The Three Sisters

Rembrandtplein 19, 1017 CT Amsterdam, Netherlands

You really don’t need us to recommend The Three Sisters. You’ll be passing and one of the lads will say "this looks cool, fancy a pint in here?" and you’ll leave at 3:00am in search of a kebab shop (yes, there are loads nearby, before you ask). Deceptively small from the outside, there are 128 seats in the bar, including 16 Chesterfield armchairs – where you can take photos and pretend it’s your new lad pad - and 26 seats at the bar. There’s a suntrap of a drinking terrace around the front of The Three Sisters, where all walks of life come to catch the rays, have a bite to eat, people watch and start their nights early. The kitchen is open from 10am until midnight, so you’ll never worry about keeping yourselves topped up with hangover-curing carbs.

• No. of Bars: One
• Sports: Yes
• Beer Garden: Yes
• Live Music: No
• Fancy Dress: Yes
• Opening Times: Sun – Thurs: 10:00 – 02:00, Fri – Sat: 10:00 – 03:00

02. Cooldown Cafe

Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 116 3 BG, 1017 NN Amsterdam, Netherlands

Located in the centre of Rembrandtplein, this is the bigger of the two Cooldown Cafes in Amsterdam (the other on Leidseplein). Locally famous DJs perform here, and play no more than one and a half minutes of remixed tracks from all genres, including top 40, house, R’n’B and electro. Constantly packed with tourists and locals, Cooldown is a big player on Amsterdam’s nightlife scene and an absolute must when partying in Rembrandtplein. The all-encompassing party hub sees good looking bar staff, as well as the DJs, enjoying the vibe just as much as you. The shots are varied and pretty cheap too… Come and join the party.

• No. of Bars: Two
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: Yes, DJs
• Fancy Dress: Yes, tasteful
• Opening Times: Sun – Thurs: 22:30 – 04:00, Fri – Sat: 22:30 – 05:00

03. Club Smokey

Rembrandtplein 24, 1017 CV Amsterdam, Netherlands

The giant neon sign reading ‘Smokey’ will lure you off the streets and into this hipster den. This bar-come-coffee shop is one of the most popular tourist spots in the whole city, where a nightclub and coffee shop experience complement each other profoundly. Attracting expats and students looking for a laid-back night, Smokey is regularly full to capacity, and, despite its name, is a tobacco free zone. For the smokers of you out there, the small front terrace is a great place to head – where you’ll get awesome views of Rembrandtplein coming alive into the night. The music played within Smokey nightclub will awaken all of your guilty pleasures, with hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s, as well as top 40 chart toppers.

• No. of Bars: Two
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: Yes, DJs
• Fancy Dress: Yes, tasteful
• Opening Times: Mon – Sun: 10:00 – 01:00

04. Coco’s Outback

14, Thorbeckeplein 8, 1017 CS Amsterdam, Netherlands

G’day mate. Celebrating everything Aussie, Coco’s Outback is a proper bachelor pad. A thriving spot for backpackers, students and stag dos, Coco is your new best mate in Amsterdam. There are plenty of TVs (about 30) dotted about the bar, screening every live sport match you could dream of, and the food menu is pretty extravagant, with a huge selection of beef, pork, ribs, kangaroo, alligator and even emu on offer. It’s fully equipped for your stag do, with pool, darts, comfort food and drinks, including over 10 types of beer from Down Under and an open fire pit. They’ve even got attractive waitresses serving ice cold Heineken in frozen mugs – it’s true, nobody does it like the Aussies.

• No. of Bars: One
• Sports: Yes
• Beer Garden: Yes
• Live Music: No
• Fancy Dress: Yes
• Opening Times: Sun – Thurs: 11:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat: 10:00 – 03:00

05. Rembrandt Bar

Rembrandtplein 3, 1017 CT Amsterdam, Netherlands

Named after everyone’s favourite Dutch painter (soz Van Gogh), if you’re after an authentic Amsterdam night out, Rembrandt Bar is the place to head. This bar looks nothing from the outside, with dark brickwork and a dated exterior, but after a few pints, you’ll be swept up in the ‘folksy’ aura and find yourselves singing along to popular Dutch songs and swilling cider whilst chatting with the friendly locals. Head outside and you’ll be able to grab a seat (if you’re early enough) in the square itself, whose outdoor seating terrace runs alongside like-minded bars, such as Escape and Smokey.

• No. of Bars: One
• Sports: Yes
• Beer Garden: Yes, terrace
• Live Music: Yes, traditional
• Fancy Dress: Yes
• Opening Times: Mon – Sun: 09:00 – 03:00

06. Escape

Rembrandtplein 11, 1017 CT Amsterdam, Netherlands

Beneath the huge glossy billboard, you’ll see the clubber’s dream, Escape. Picture the wildest night you could ever imagine, add a couple of floors, extra strobe lighting and smoke machines, with a generous side of live DJs showcasing their stuff – and you’re halfway there. Constantly teaming with pretty young things, this club has even seen the likes of world-famous DJs including Tiesto, David Guetta, Paul van Dyk, Kevin Saunderson and Todd Terry hit its decks. The front beer gardens of neighbouring bars also rub shoulders with that of Escapes, where you can people watch through the day, and count down the seconds until the club opens its doors. Alongside the club, Escape also features the DeLux bar, the Cafe, the Studio and the Lounge, a smaller, more sophisticated venue.

• No. of Bars: Four
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: Yes, terrace
• Live Music: International DJs
• Fancy Dress: Yes, tasteful
• Opening Times: Mon – Sun: 23:00 – 04:00

07. Club Air

Amstelstraat 16, 1017 DA Amsterdam, Netherlands

Sticking on the massive superclub theme, Club Air is just off Rembrandtplein, but well worth the minutes’ walk to get there. This huge club plays cutting-edge electronic tunes to thousands (no exaggeration) of people every week. There’s a multi-tiered dance floor, impressive VOID acoustic sound system, state-of-the-art lighting, LED wall displays and five different bars all under its one roof. Lovers of house and dance music trek here from all over the world to see commercial and underground DJs perform.

• No. of Bars: Five
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: DJs
• Fancy Dress: Yes, tasteful
• Opening Times: Sun – Weds: 21:00 – 05:00, Thurs: 23:00 – 04:00, Fri – Sat: 23:00 – 05:00

08. De Duivel

Reguliersdwarsstraat 87, 1017 BK Amsterdam

Located on a spot which was once a witch burning site named ‘Devil’s Corner’, the interiors of De Duivel carries on this theme with its red and black walls, atmospheric lighting arrangements and local street artists’ graffiti touches. With a maximum capacity of only a hundred, the bar can fill up quickly, but the fluid tunes of authentic and underground hip-hop – spun by local cream-of-the-crop DJs – keep things moving despite the tight space. Reasonably priced, with beers costing around €2.50 and spirits with mixers about €6, there’ll be plenty of money left in your pockets to do it all again the next night. There’s never a dull moment in De Duivel – in fact, there’s even a couple of slot machines to amuse you whilst you’re waiting for the loo. Ideal.

• No. of Bars: Two
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: DJs
• Fancy Dress: Yes, tasteful
• Opening Times: Sun – Thurs: 20:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sat: 20:00 – 04:00

09. Door 74

Reguliersdwarsstraat 74, 1017 BN Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam may not be short of speakeasy-style bars, but you’ve seen nothing ‘til you’ve found Door 74. Nestled behind an unassuming door (number 74, would you believe?), this is rated amongst the World’s Best Bars. It has all of the prerequisites of a quirky bar; antique barware, dark wood, dimly-lit interior and seriously smart staff. A reservation is recommended, as word has spread about this place meaning that is does get pretty busy. They offer outstanding ales, premium spirits and top quality cocktails; we recommend the White Zombie Doctor, which is as intimidating and potent as it sounds. Good luck leaving here sober.

• No. of Bars: One
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: No/li>
• Fancy Dress: Yes, tasteful
• Opening Times: Sun – Thurs: 20:00 – 03:00, Fri – Sat: 20:00 – 04:00

10. Club ABE Amsterdam

Amstelstraat 30, 1017 DA Amsterdam, Netherlands

Paying homage to its history, the club wouldn’t look out of place in The Great Gatsby – it’s just about as grand and palatial as they come. Named after a former 19th century banker, Abraham Carel Wertheim (Abe to his pals), this former bank has vaulted iron doors, VIP booths tucked behind bars and gold corridors, as well as a decorative gold staircase. The prices and decor attract a slightly more sophisticated and well-to-do crowd; the lounge area is even modified with gold leaf, alongside historic paintings looking down from the wall - so ditch the penis costumes, just this once.

• No. of Bars: Two
• Sports: No
• Beer Garden: No
• Live Music: No
• Fancy Dress: No
• Opening Times: Thurs: 11:00 – 04:00, Fri – Sat: 11:00 – 05:00