By Ed Humphries
Whether you’re AUC’s fresh meat, or a veteran of our little bubble, life in the dorms can get pretty samey – especially as winter rolls in, the wind picks up, and the heavens rain down. The pairing of one of Europe’s most expensive cities and the jam- packed liberal-arts-lifestyle is not conducive to venturing out for big eats and fruity drinks but there are places out there just for you! This is a brief guide to a few of those spots.
Murmur – Aambeeldstraat 60, 1021 KB Amsterdam
Just up the road (and by ‘just’ I mean three kilometres) is the Azartplein ferry stop. And just over the water from there is a lovely bit of Noord called ‘Ijplein’. You may know it as the place you have to go to get to Skate Cafe – the bar turn club with a small side football pitch and an open kitchen serving street food. It’s a good spot but has the unfortunate policy of being 21+ past 21:30. It’s an AUC rite of passage for any first year to be kicked out and find themselves less than sober on the eerie streets of industrial Noord, too late to get the ferry and seemingly too far from anywhere to continue the night.
Behind an unassuming door in an otherwise completely dead industrial block lies Murmur. The interior is a 50/50 split between a secret speakeasy-style bar and an art-deco hotel lobby with one of the most eye-catching sound systems in Amsterdam – four great speakers that wouldn’t look out of place on a 1920s cruise liner from which emanates reggae, jazz, and house music controlled by the DJ who’s sat at a desk nestled among the regular tables and chairs. This place oozes charm.
The menu is an eclectic mix of natural wines (red, white, and orange), cocktails, beers, sake, and more. Prices range but you can always find something more than nice for a good price – I highly recommend the yuzu sake, a citrus sipper for €8.
Open Friday and Saturday night 18:00 until 2:00 in the morning, Murmur is a cathedral of cool. It’s almost invisible from the outside with no signage or grand entrance but once you’re in, you’ll wonder how you’d never noticed it.
Chateau Amsterdam – Johan van Hasseltweg 51, 1021 KN Amsterdam
Over the road, in a similarly anonymous group of warehouses, is Chateau Amsterdam. It calls itself an urban winery where they ‘import grapes instead of wine’ and ‘make the most innovative wines in Europe’, according to their website.
Putting the wine science aside, Chateau is a great spot for a glass of wine and some nibbles with friends owing to their fantastic selection of small plates. Their collection of wines is extensive (unsurprising when you see the scale of their operation) and prices do of course vary, but it’s easy to find a great glass of wine for €5-6.
Perhaps their best offering is their wine tasting. For €30 per person you can have an all-encompassing sit-down experience where a member of staff walks you through their wine-making processes and history as you make your way through two reds, two whites, and three ‘specials’ – when I went these were a cider, a rosè, and an orange. They pour decently well for the tasters, and if you ask nicely, they are more than happy to top up the ones you like, making the whole experience rather good value. And what’s more, you get 10% off should you enjoy a glass so much that you fancy getting a bottle to take home. What a bargain! The selection they put out for the tasting changes every few months, making it worth going back every so often.
On top of that, they have a brilliant kitchen and an exceptional dinner offering, making Chateau a great choice for a romantic dinner for two.
Backstage – Oudezijds Armsteeg 7, 1012 GP Amsterdam
Moving away from Noord, if you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the tourist hell hole that is the Red-Light District on a Friday night, having an oasis to take sanctuary in is critical for any venture into the centre of town. Backstage is an intimate pub/bar with a €5 pint and great music (everything from ABBA and Fleetwood Mac to the Black-Eyed Peas and other classic 2000s cheese) – what more could you want?
Open every day except Monday, Backstage is a refuge for locals nestled in a tight side street, not much wider than the parked bikes that blockade either side. It is adorned floor to ceiling in Ajax, Amsterdam, and Ireland themed décor – posters, scarfs, flags, frames, lights, and anything else that can be hung up. It perfectly rides the line between cosy pub and uber-decorated man cave.
Whilst the cheap pint is the main draw, they do have an extensive menu of spirits and mixed drinks, as well as a €4 glass of wine, and the kind staff are always happy to give their recommendations and specials.
This is a great location to have in mind ahead of the Christmas tourist season.
De Pilsner Club – Begijnensteeg 4, 1012 PN Amsterdam
To round off this guide, we finish at de Pilsner Club (also affectionately known as ‘de Engelse Reet’ – the English ass). This is your typical no-nonsense Amsterdam brown bar – a good menu with good prices, wooden furniture, cigarette-stained walls and an eclectic collection of art and fixtures. It’s a rather fun step back in time.
They have your classic selection of Dutch borrel snacks – pickled onions, nuts, meats, and of course boiled eggs. They’ve a constantly updating selection of standard and seasonal beers, as well as all sorts of wines and spirits – from merlot to port, sauvignon to brandy, whisky and gin. Being a laid-back establishment, the barmen like to stay out of your way (and you theirs) but are ever friendly if you approach them – they are always happy to give their thoughts on the options and can steer you towards something you might otherwise avoid.
Nestled just off Rokin, about halfway between the tram stop and the UvA library on the Spui, it’s in a great location for a post- (or indeed pre) study drink.
The Herring 