Audrey Sykes

Besides the free drinks and rubbing elbows with club owners, the best part was spending time at clubs and bars I normally would pass up. I also perfected the art of skipping lines and taking notes under spinning disco balls.

From the coffeeshops to the clubs, there’s a lot of ground to cover in a nightlife mecca like Amsterdam. As a journalist determined to cover all the bases, reviewing for Party Earth eventually sent me into the dark and sultry sex theaters of the Red Light District.

It wasn’t long until I stepped into the famous Casa Rosso armed with just a pen and paper. And as the only single babe scribbling notes at a porn show, I was an easy target for the remaining audience.

I decided an accurate write-up wouldn’t work without getting involved. At least that’s what the performer told me, as she grabbed my hand and pulled me on stage.

What happened next? You’ll just have to make a visit to find out the meaning of “audience participation.”

I’m a hybrid: Most of my time out is spent mingling in a local atmosphere and catching live gigs, but it’s hard to resist a good DJ and fun dance floor. My drink of choice will always be a well-crafted microbrew, though I’ll hold the occasional cocktail.

Hop on the bike and cruise to the outdoor markets for record shopping. Grab a coffee at a brown café, people-watch, and read the paper. A sunny afternoon means cycling through parks or along the rivers before heading to a local brewery for a few rounds with friends. Then it’s off to another unforgettable concert before ending the night at an afterhours bar, polishing the evening with good beats and a fun crowd.