The Netherlands: Amsterdam
Areas in the city:
In a nutshell...
Old Side
The Arabic part of Medieval Amsterdam, the "Old Side" was originally just a thin strip of land along the Amstel that would have been limited by today's Damrak and Oudesijds Voorburgwaal. The main building used to be the Oude Kerk (oldest church in the city), before the community began expanding west to accomodate Portugese Jewish refugies who built four synagogues, one of which houses today's Jewish History museum. During the 16th century, the neighborhood dominated commercial exchanges since merchant's ships would have to sail up until Nieumarkt in order to weigh their wares at the Waag before they could sell them. The ancient gate from the Middle Ages houses the scales from 1617 until the end of the 19th century and today is home to In de Waag restaurant!
Amsterdam : Bars
Lokaal't Loosje - Nieuwmarkt 32-34
This café is 200 years old...and you can see it! Located within a former tram depot, this place which has at times been both neglected and hip is now very popular with students.The walls which are(...)
Café De Jaren - Nieuwe Doelenstraat 20-22
In the university district, the De Jaren café is without doubt the most spacious in Amsterdam. It serves as a meeting place for intellectuals and artists.The architecture is particularly bright and(...)
Greenhouse - Haarlemmerstraat 64
Situated in the heart of the red-light district, this coffee shop,winner of many prizes awarded by HighTimes, is the third to be opened by Argan since 1985, which was when he met, at age 20, an old(...)
Kapitein Zeppos - Gebed zonder End 3-5
This ancient monastery, hidden away down an alley is somewhere which is highly prized by the student population. It is a retro-style bistro which has a dining room on the first floor and an enormous(...)
