Great store on the Kalverstraat near the Spui. Extensive collection of English language materials on several floors. Helpful staff will guide you through the eclectic collection. Lots of fun, ex-pats can always find something to read.
The Treehouse is their venue around the corner on the Voetboogstraat, which has open mike nights and a gallery with showings of art.
Phone: 020-535-25-73
Situated in the heart of Amsterdam’s red-light district, Het Paleis van de Weemoed, is an old style theatre restaurant full of charm, nostalgia and romance A full evening’s entertainment includes a top quality 4-course meal intersperced with a parade of cabaret stars and wonderful musicians. “The Palace” can be compared to a “30’s Spiegel Tent Dance Salon, the Cotton Club or a small version of the Moulin Rouge. It presents an international programme but remains intimate. Come and enjoy an evening of fine dining and imaginative entertainment.
The Palace is situated in the historical Old Town of Amsterdam. Our 17th century canal district (“Grachtengordel”) is even on the Unesco World Heritage List.
From April 1st our terrace is open on sunny afternoons. Please come and enjoy Amsterdam life with a diner, or dinershow and a drink.
Theater Hall, Cafe, Internet Cafe, meeting place extraordinaire! Right on the Leidseplein – where it’s happening at night in Amsterdam with a hundred restaurants, nightclubs, bars and coffeeshops within a block or two – and of course the Melkweg and Paradiso are right nearby as well.
Phone: 020-624-2311
Huis Marseille is a monumental old canal house on the Kaizersgracht which is now the Foundation for Photography.
Opened to the public on 18 September, 1999, there are four large exhibition rooms on different levels inside.
The Huis Marseille Foundation is based in the 17th century house on the Keizersgracht to which it owes its name. There is a stone tablet on the facade, with a map of the harbor of Marseille, dating back to the French merchant who had the house built in 1665.
Info:
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Phone: + 31 20 5318989
Dutch & international stand-up acts, plus open mike nights at a buzzing comedy club with restaurant.
Open mike nights are just 7.50 euros, stand up comedy acts are 17.50 euros.
The popular Blokker chain of stores can be found in most every shopping district in Holland. They sell a good range of household items, focusing on kitchenware, house cleaning utensils, small electronics, plastic goods, seasonal items, gifts and various sundries.
Check out their weekly flyers for specials.
Prices are good but be prepared for crowded tight aisles jammed packed with merchandise and shoppers.
There’s a big three story Blokker on the Nieuwendyke, but most are smaller neighborhood stores like the photo above.
One of my favorite Blokker’s is on Beethovenstraat, in Amsterdam, it is located in the map below, and also found everywhere through Holland.
The three very narrow aisles stock a wide range of products that will remind you of home. Or perhaps some exotic place you wish you could be. Like a good selection of Patak’s curry pastes and condiments, soy sauces including light and mushroom flavored, canned hummous and tahini, real hot jalapeño peppers from Mexico (not the mild Old El Paso ones, which they also carry), Betty Crocker cake mixes and frostings, Mrs. Dash salt-free seasonings, Phad Thai noodles, a good selection of beans, chocolate chips (very difficult to find in Holland, despite so much chocolate everywhere), and too much more to mention. You really need to see this place to believe it.
The manager is very good about locating and stocking items that you can’t find. My request for hummous was filled by my next visit!
The biggest drawback to this place is how cramped it is. You can barely work your way down these short aisles before someone tries to squeeze by. And the lack of space doesn’t leave much room for fresh produce, and the selection in the one cooler isn’t much.
Perhaps success will enable them to expand and increase their selection further. While the prices on some items are very reasonable, others like the cake mixes are expensive (7.50 euros is a lot for a mix that’s around $2.50 or less in the states). But if you’re jonesin’ for that special treat to remind you of home, you just might find it here!
I haven’t yet ventured into the take-away yet, but judging by how busy it is, I’d say it’s a good value.
Update: You might want to check the expiration dates on items before you purchase them, as I’ve noticed certain things that don’t sell remaining on the shelves for a very long time.
Phone: 020-671-7708
The actual hiding place where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis during World War II.
Eerie and ghostly, with lots of lessons for everyone about hatred and war. This should be visited by all who come to Amsterdam so that you understand the things that have happened here in the past, and why Amsterdam is what it is today.
Info:
Open daily from 9 am to 7 pm. Admission is € 6,50 for adults. Children less.
You can walk to the Anne Frank House from Centraal Station, Amsterdam’s main train station, in 20 minutes. You can also board tram (streetcar) number 13, 17, or 20 as well as buses number 21, 170, 171, or 172 which all go to the tram/bus stop called Westermarkt, located about a block (300 feet) from the museum’s entrance.
Visit the website: Anne Frank House
The Artis was founded nearly 160 years ago; and the winding paths, majestic trees and the monumental historical buildings give Artis a special, 19th century atmosphere.
Here you will find more than 8000 animals in the zoo; as well as two museums, the Zoological Museum and the Geological Museum; a very sophisticated Planetarium; and a magnificent, recently renewed Aquarium. There is also a new restaurant on the premises.
Info:
Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Located on the Plantage Kerklaan at #38-40. The entrance fee for adults is € 12,93. Children are less. Call for more information.
Phone: 020 523 3400
On the Waterlooplein is the modern City Hall and Nationale Opera & Ballet (Muziek Theater) complex, which looms over the Inner Amstel River.
Aside from all the city’s business, this place is for the arts, and regular performances of ballet, opera and classical music are offered. The seasonal series of tickets make this affordable, otherwise it can be pricey – but all of Amsterdam society will be out for these performances, which should make for an amusing experience.