Café Hoppe Brown Bar / Pub

Nieuwe Zijds, Amsterdam –

Established in 1670, Café Hoppe is a traditional Dutch bar where the city’s intellectuals have gathered for hundreds of years to discuss politics and world affairs.

Scholars and highbrows still convene at this quaint pub, but nowadays their heated debates are illuminated by the neon lights of oversized Amstel signs and rivaled by the bustling sounds of Spui plaza.

Two distinct areas serve a diverse clientele, with the conversationalists tending to stick to the smaller bar where they won’t be disturbed by the music. Here, the antique stained glass windows and fresh layer of sand on the floor add to the 17th-century watering hole vibe.

The other area has a more casual feel, and the music and food attract a younger crowd, especially on the nights when the bar hosts college functions. The covered terrace, meanwhile, is usually filled every night with regulars who gather to chat, drink, and people-watch.

The bar gets pretty busy after working hours and on some weekends, too, when patrons spill onto the streets to share beers and trade stories.

Café Hoppe’s genuine, open atmosphere and intriguing history have won it a loyal following from all over the country, and it’s still one of the best places for a casual beer on Spui square.