Amsterdam Leidseplein Bar Crawl

‘Born in Amsterdam, raised by the world’, Heineken is one of the most popular beers on the globe.

Basically, you can’t have a stag do in Amsterdam and not visit the world famous brewery (cultural points and all that) so why not make it the first stop on your bar crawl? This factory was originally opened in 1864 and now plays host to an interactive tour through the history and brewing process of the pale lager beer. You can enjoy the Heineken experience, have yourself a few drinks in the Heineken Bar as a warm up and then head out into Leidseplein itself. Oh yes you Heine-can.

Shots, shots, shots!

Chupito’s has every ingredient you could possibly need for a wild night out. With literally hundreds of shots to choose from, including impressive flaming shots and XX-strong shots, you won’t be leaving here sober. But Chupito’s is not just about the drink, it’s about the experience – the selecting your favourite flavours and the mixing your drinks just because you can. Hell, it’s your stag do, you can do whatever in the world you want. Chupito’s is also pretty pocket friendly compared to other bars in the area – leaving more money for *ahem* other important Amsterdam stag do essentials.

Located within a former church, if heaven looks anything like Paradiso, we want to go there.

Having seen the likes of The Rolling Stones, Adele, The Killers, Nirvana, Arctic Monkeys, Daft Punk and Guns ‘n’ Roses, as far as music venues go, you don’t get much bigger than Paradiso. Dating back to 1968, this place has been through generations of music and it’s showing no signs of going anywhere soon. It’s an excellent spot to kick start a night you know is going to roll into the very early hours.

You may need to don your check shirt and iconic thick-rimmed glasses to fit in here, as Kopstootbar is hipster personified.

Widely regarded as a ‘warm up’ bar to other bigger clubs in the area, this bar is sure to set your night off on the right foot. Unlike anything else on Leidseplein, Kopstootbar is a total lad pad. There’s a mismatch of furniture, exposed brickwork and foliage, disco balls and bric-a-brac hanging from the ceiling – all to a backdrop of munchie-curing foods and an impressively different drinks list. Kopstootbar prides itself in scouting out future big names and showcases Amsterdam’s most up-and-coming DJs, for those ‘you saw it here first’ moments.

Luminaa is all about the bespoke drinking culture - it’s way more than a bar, it’s an experience.

Set slap-bang in the heart of Leidseplein, Luminaa is a whole lot classier than the surrounding bars and clubs. You’re going to have to get your finest clobber on for a night here, and keep the embarrassing penis costumes for another day (don’t worry, they’ll have their moment), as Luminaa is seriously suave. The staff in Luminaa really set the bar (no pun intended) when it comes to superior bar staff, as they constantly challenge themselves to make the very best drinks. Tell the baristas the flavour base you’re looking for and sit back as they concoct your new favourite drink. Push them to their limits, they dare you…

This is one of Europe’s most famous venues and is an absolute must stop on your Leidseplein bar crawl.

Luckily for you, Melkweg is at the end of your crawl and is an excellent place to spend the entire night, as it’s open until 5am every night of the week. Literally translating as ‘Milky Way’, the former milk factory is now an extremely popular music venue and cultural centre, boasting everything from live music and DJ club nights, to cinema screenings and festivals. There are even outdoor terraces where you can get tanked up al fresco – this place has it all.

For more information about Amsterdam’s nightlife zones, how to get there, getting about once you’re there, average prices, activities, accommodation and more, check out our Stag Guide to Amsterdam. Or, if you’re already sold, how about seeing our stag weekends in Amsterdam page and let us sort out your ultimate lads’ weekend away.