Amsterdam nightlife?

I am going to Amsterdam in the Summer with a small group of friends, we will all be 17 by that time.

I know they have some good live music venues, but in terms of bars and nightclubs, what is the general policy? Is the age limit 18? Are they lenient?

First hand experience only please. Thanks :)

Please don't mention 'coffeehouses' please, I'm not really interested, even if it is legal.

I like this site, it gives links to almost everything you can do or want to know about Amsterdam:
http://www.amsterdam.info/

If you follow entertainment and then music, you get links to Paradiso and Melkweg.

When I went there they did not have an age limit, but that was ages ago.

Check with your hostel, hotel or host if they know a good place to go where you will be welcome, and what music they play.

Sorry but you're suppose to be 21 to buy pot and most of the clubs and they do check cos if they serve you and you're under age the server can also get done for it.You're also suppose to carry ID on you the whole time.
Some clubs may be abit more leanient ,after all teenagers have to go somewhere.

you should be ok, the legal age seems to be 16, but you can't drink spirits.


When i went we went to an "improvisation show" (vaguley like "who's line is it anyway") very very funny it was in an improvisation club in the main town.

You MUST go to the red light district, its worth it just to go and look (and laugh) its actually quite a tourist attraction.

There are also live sex shows ( i do mean LIVE) but give them a miss.

more info see link below

there is no drinking age in holland..................... really only 15


but to smoke and buy drugs you have to be at least 18.
amsterdam at your age stay away from the red light distict. you could be caught and go to jail and go on your school record and job reseme. the red light district is bars that have rooms that you can get paid to well have ..........................you know so bad idea. holland is a great place. there are some very hip lounges you could go to . its like a euro pean new york city thats bigger.

ps. visit the parks they are beautiful and fun durring the day.

dont foget to go to a gift shop. buy a fox brand one.

For bars and nightclubs it's important how old you all look... If you all look like 17 or older you probably won't have too much trouble getting in... I never did when I was that age but that's quite a while ago... It also depends on the bar/club... Some are full of 16 and 17 year olds, some try to get an older crowd...


\people, if you don't know what you're talking about, please don't just say stuff that isn't true... The legal age for beer/wine etc is 16, for marijuanna and strong liquor it's 18...

you will find your welcome anywere and a lot of the pubs have dance floors so you can sit at a table or stand at the bar and if the mood takes you its not uncommon for folk to just start dancing day or nite. have a great time. be careful some places charge after 10pm unless your already in there.