Wake up and smell the tulips

From a new Sichuan pop-up to a boat tour on Amsterdam’s canals, here’s our pick of the best things to see and do in the Dutch capital

Saturday 19 February 2022 By Amaal Mahmoud and Gisselle Babaran

With the lifting of restrictions on 25 February, thrill-seekers from around the world are expected to descend on Amsterdam's streets (and canals). Whether it’s the first time or a long-awaited return, Amsterdam never fails to keep visitors’ itineraries booked and busy. With lots already going on in the city and even more planned in the near future, whittling down places to go and visit can be overwhelming. With the help of our team on the ground, we’ve done all that hard work for you. Scroll down below to see our top picks.

Where to eat and drink

Cornerstore

Located in Amsterdam Noord is the elegant open-plan kitchen, restaurant, and bar, Cornerstone. The focal point of the space is the bar, where a turntable, speakers, and a collection of vinyl records are interspersed with wine and spirit bottles – inspired by the music bars in Tokyo. An Asian twist to the food continues this theme throughout the menu, and sake appears alongside natural wines. The restaurant opens at 6pm and doesn’t take bookings, so turn up in good time to get your table.

Sexyland World

A cultural platform, co-operative and inclusive party space also in Amsterdam Noord, overlooking the waterfront. Each room in this multi-faceted venue is a distinct world in itself, hosting a different pop-up, exhibition, restaurant, bar, or installation. Outside on the terrace, a beer fountain by artist Simon Wald-Lasowski froths beside the tables, and in the RoXY club, a bubble-gum pink bar by Gert Wessels sets the tone.

Come during the day to check out the latest works on display at Art Bar Kippy, with a home-brewed Kippy Beer in hand, or head over in the evening for a mouth-watering Sichuan dinner at ORDER Sichuan. And as you’re there for dinner, you may as well stay for the party later.

Madre

Madre makes modern Mexican food with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Some of our favourite dishes include the truffle quesadillas (filled with artichoke, shitake mushrooms and melted cheese) and the sizzling barbecue fajitas, made with seitan and jackfruit ‘ribs’. In fact, everything on the menu is meat-free, and honestly, you may not even notice – it’s just damn good Mexican food.

What to do and see

The Monday Club: Jay-Way

What better ways to spend your Monday than attending the gig of your soon to be favourite artist? Soho House Amsterdam’s The Monday Club makes its overdue return this month with Afro-Dutch hip-hop artist Jay-Way. Bringing a completely different perspective to the city’s rap scene, the young artist blends rhythmic rap beats with pop melodies, along with sounds inspired by 1990s hip-hop – hitting that very sweet spot between the familiar and the new.

Click here to book tickets.

Madé van Krimpen Gallery

Formerly known as Multiplemadé, the gallery showcases an eclectic variety of work from both established and up-and-coming artists. Its latest exhibition, Democracy, is a visual exploration of Dutch designer Duran Lantink’s unseen fashion collective. The collection was created in collaboration with Bea Otte and serves as a strong example of how art can challenge and disrupt dominant social/ political discourses.

Black Heritage boat tour with Jennifer Tosch

Have you ever wondered how the Netherland’s colonial past has impacted Amsterdam as it exists today? Cultural heritage historian Jennifer Tosch offers welcome insight into the subject with a boat ride along Amsterdam’s canals. Her tour will give members and guests a chance to explore the city’s ‘hidden history’ of early presence of Black communities, and contextualises the colonial symbols found around the city.

Tickets cost €5.00, click here to book.

Where to stay

Soho House Amsterdam

After all the sightseeing, eating, and drinking, it’ll be time for a well-earned rest. For those happy to power on, there’s more than enough in the House to keep you occupied. Take a dip in the pool as you look out over the city’s skyline, wrap up in a complimentary cashmere blanket and get cosy in our screening room, or if you want to completely disconnect, pop into the Cowshed spa for one of our deep-tissue massages.

Book a bedroom at Soho House Amsterdam here.