De Pilsner

Words by Simon Difford

Address: 4 Begijnensteeg, Amsterdam, 1012 PN , Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)20 623 1777
Website: view De Pilsner’s website
Door: Open door
Style: Tasting room/house
Food: Bar Snacks
Established: 1883

Review

Affectionately known as 'De Engelse reet' (The English Ass), this battered old museum of a bar was established some 130 years ago and has been owned by the van Veen family for more than 76 of those years. It is a properly old-school drinker's bar where you pretty much drink beer (8 on draught and 15 bottled) or genever, and ideally both. Alternatively there is a wide choice of the locally made liqueurs.

Don't expect a designer interior or DJ - in fact don't expect design at all. And as for music - the relaxed chatter of your fellow drinkers should be entertainment enough. However, if you are looking for a drinking experience from a bygone age then this is as good as it gets. Sand grinds underfoot on the bare wooden floor of what is a most functional interior with chalkboards, old wooden furnishings and your bartender and host neatly presented in white shirt and tie. There is no bar counter, just a back room where he retreats to later emerge baring drinks.