Café Slijterij Oosterling

Words by Simon Difford

Address: 140 Utrechtsestraat, Amsterdam, 1017 VT, Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)20 623 4140
Door: Open door
Style: Pub (traditional British pub)
Food: Bar Snacks
Established: 1820

Review

Café Slijterij Oosterling is a traditional Dutch pub (bruine café) which has changed little since 1820 when it first opened. It has been owned by the Oosterling family, originally distillers from Gouda,
since 1879 and is now by brothers Marcel and Oscar who represent the fourth generation. The building dates from around 1735 and was originally owned by the Ducth East India Company who sold spices and other imported goods from here.

Old barrels formally holding genever and cognac sit high above the tables of drinkers opposite the bar white the old wooden shelves behind the bar grown with both age and the wide selection of liquor offered here. The decor was utilitarian when it was built and over the years additions and modifications have been functional rather than by design.
The atmosphere is warm, driven by the banter of local crowd of regulars who pile in here after office hours. Don't expect suits, here the dress code is almost exclusively jeans. Come to that don't expect anything swanky at all, this is very much a take me as you find me kind of place.