6 Best Bars in Oud-West, Amsterdam

The quirky Nieuwe Anita, darling of the alternative crowd, is home to screenings of cult classics, spoken-word nights, and live gigs put on by underground magazine Subbacultcha!. They also do cocktails, haircuts, and club nights.

Every Sunday night, the basement of an old squat in an unmarked building opens its doors to the queer crowd. All staff are volunteers, and all proceeds from the evening go to various LGBTQ+ rights nonprofit organizations. The beer and the cover are cheap, and despite a few strict rules—no straight friends, no mobile phones, and certainly no cameras—it is still as popular as ever, so be sure to arrive on time (before 11) to get in.

This legalized squat in the former film academy offers fun alternative nights with live bands and DJs. The eclectic music ranges from hard core to free jazz and latin beats. Also on the premises are a movie theater, an art gallery, and an organic café.

"Podium voor ongehoord geluid" (A stage for unheard sounds) is how this former squat describes itself. It's one of the few places in Amsterdam where you can hear live jazz every Tuesday, and on Thursday anyone with an instrument can join in with the Oktopedians, a workshop orchestra playing jazz, blues, and world music. The restaurant serves a three-course vegetarian meal some nights.