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Party Earth Review Easily recognizable by its airplane hangar shape and transparent, greenhouse-like architecture, Noorderlicht (Northern Lights) is a boisterous café where artists and creative types come for indoor and outdoor drinking... ... read full review
t.t. Neveritaweg 33
1033 Amsterdam
020 4922770
Daily 11am–1am
Noord, Amsterdam –
Easily recognizable by its airplane hangar shape and transparent, greenhouse-like architecture, Noorderlicht (Northern Lights) is a boisterous café where artists and creative types come for indoor and outdoor drinking, dining, and dancing – not to mention an extraordinary view of the city center from the other side of the Ij River.
The unique design of the building enhances the surroundings as it’s located in the NDSM yard – a former shipyard turned cultural hotspot featuring visual arts, design, theater, film, media, and architecture.
Inside, the warm colors of the wall hangings and curtains complement light wooden floors, tables detailed with polished driftwood, and even a disco ball dropping from the ceiling.
Outside, the grassy lawn is dotted with wicker chairs, cushioned couches, and picnic tables where patrons gather for lunch under the sun during the day, or for dinner and music under twinkling lights in the evening.
Noorderlicht also has a steady roster of events ranging from campfires and poetry readings to live music and DJ nights that usually inspire some high-energy dancing amongst the young, eclectic crowd. On those nights, the “greenhouse” is set spectacularly ablaze with sound and colorful lights that make it visible clear across the river – hence the café’s name.
Given its inviting location in the center of a vibrant cultural area, Noorderlicht is a dynamic locale that attracts an equally dynamic and easygoing crowd both day and night.
The last ferry from NDSM to Centraal Station leaves nightly at 11:40pm – but don’t worry if you want to stay at Noorderlicht until closing time. If you take a brisk walk east along the Ij River, you’ll find an all-night water taxi that will take you back across the water to Centraal Station.
Neighborhood residents of all ages take advantage of the café during the day, while the after-dark parties draw a younger, artsy, music-loving clientele.
A DJ plays laid-back house tunes on the weekends. Monthly exhibits of photography, paintings, and sculpture by local artists. Check the website for other events.
Salads, pasta, and steaks served until 10pm. A free ferry to NDSM-werf leaves every 30 minutes from the dock behind Centraal Station.
Menu €9+. Beer €2.20–€3.50+, house wine €2.75, mixed drinks €6.
Casual.
Best on warm, sunny weekends.
A former dockyard turned industrial haven for modern art and architecture, the NDSM-werf is an unusual area that’s worth exploring.
Points of interest include a grounded submarine located between the ferry station and the colorful cargo containers now used as student dorms, as well as the run-down AMDock warehouse, which now houses The Netherlands’ MTV studios, an upstairs skate park, various art exhibits, and design offices.
The Pannenkoekenboot (Pancake Boat) and a few other cafés round out the area.
Noorderlicht Café User Reviews