The Flying Pig Hostels Amsterdam Pig Newspaper

‘Now then, this must be that famous big city I have been told about over a million times before, hmm that must be a coffeeshop and that’s quite obvious a red light…’

-Page 2-

These are two of the stereotypes which Amsterdam is known for, but of course you’ll understand there is more to Amsterdam than just that. The trick is how to find what you like, what really suits you. You could read a book, ask friends, or waste hours surfing the internet for fragmented information. Stop, no need for that, www.amsterdamagenda.info comes to the rescue; it is THE backpackers and travellers guide to Amsterdam!

The Agenda works in two ways. First of all the Event Calendar provides day to day information about what to do in vibrant Amsterdam. The different topics on this page show how Amsterdam’s craziness has been set out for you. On the web you just select a date to find out where parties are or what special festival or exhibition is going on. Additional information is available on each event such as price, location, directions and often a link to an accompanying website. Moreover, the Amsterdam Agenda lists the best -and the less obvious but more interesting- museums, bars, clubs, restaurants , live stages, smart- and coffeeshops, markets and shops.

It doesn’t really matter if you are the greatest party king of the world or the unstoppable culture inhaler, there’s something suitable to find for everyone!

To get a taste of what kind of information the Amsterdam Agenda has to offer, we have highlighted some of the internet topics in this article. For the specific and more elaborated version surf to the “real” thing!

Multi cultural
Amsterdam is a multi cultural city with many opportunities. It has -for example- a very mixed kitchen with flavours from all over the world. Cosy markets where you can buy typical Dutch food next to Caviar, different sorts of coffeeshops, and much more. There is a great nightlife with a huge variety of clubs, live stages, bars and special cafes. In Amsterdam every area -within or near to the city centre- has its own specific character. Obviously it would be impossible to mention everything on these three pages so check out www.amsterdamagenda.info.

Maps and Stuff
On the included map you can find the corresponding numbers as they are given in the texts. For more and specific information check www.amsterdamagenda.info or use the bigger map on the back.

Food
Before throwing yourself into Amsterdam nightlife you will need food! Good food is essential and half the work. A good meal keeps you going and provides that sometimes so needed bottom layer… Amsterdam has a lot of cuisine to offer. Of course there’s the typical Dutch kitchen. Some say it is meaningless but we know better than that. Dutch food is not always very complicated, but absolutely tasty and powerful. The thing is, because of all the represented cultures a great variety of restaurants and other food places has evolved. It doesn’t matter whether you are vegetarian or you can eat a whole cow, whether you’d like to try a Dutch meal or a bite from Mexico, Spain or Japan, we have it all. Naturally, as a result of this there are many fusions in Amsterdam too. The Zeedijk in the Red Light District, which is one of the most typical and famous streets, is home to a lot of international eateries. A good place to eat cheap is Nam Kee [7]. This Chinese place serves big portions for a fair price. For vegetarians the Vliegende Schotel [8] -Flying Saucer- is a nice option. Good food for not too much. Close to the Leidse Square you will find Rimini [6]. It offers pizza for about half the price you would pay elsewhere in Amsterdam. A lot of Dutch students know this too, so it is advisable to ring them and reserve a table. If you have really dried out your savings account, good options to try are MKZ [9] and La Piraña Vegetariana [10]. MKZ is close to the Flying Pig Uptown and offers meals for just 3 euros -if you’d like to eat here make sure you reserve after 2pm on the same day- La Piraña Vegetariana is part of the Africa squat house, a little bit north of Central station. Not luxurious, but you’ll receive a good vegan or vegetarian meal -3 times a week- for just 2 euros! If it is late at night and you still want to eat, one of your -not so healthy- options is the FEBO. The typical Dutch FEBO offers a wide range of Dutch snacks, just try it once! You will find them everywhere around crowded places, and they have this huge yellow and red FEBO sign, surely you can’t miss it!

Nightlife
Going out for a drink
Going out for a drink... Going out for a drink and a party is what every traveller is obligated to do when in a new major city. Well, Amsterdam has so much to offer even locals haven’t seen every bar from the inside. A night of partying starts with drinking in a bar or crawling by several. There are too many drinking venues to be able to mention them all or even to make an easy selection. So maybe a better approach is to say where to find the biggest concentration of bars: which is the Leidse Square and the Rembrandt Square. These squares have a lot of different sorts of bars and are close to some of the clubs and music venues. Right on the square the bars are more expensive and quite commercial, but hey, sometimes that’s just what you need. Close to the squares, one or two little streets further, it gets cheaper already.

Besides these two hotspots you can find bars everywhere. If you go to the Red Light District they are trashy, if you go to more peaceful centre areas they get more classy or trendy. Try the Noordermarkt, the Jordaan area or De Pijp to find the less touristy bars. Amsterdam has got some really cheap bars too, beer for just one euro is normal there. And there are special bars like Whiskey, Belgian or Jenever bars -see special box-. Anyways they are all created for drinking purposes. Check the website to see what sort of bar suits you most and where you can find it.

... and a party
Okay it’s getting later, your legs are not that steady anymore so you have to move and go for a club of some sort. There are dozens of them. Club 11 [1] should be clarified here. This club is located on the 11th floor of an old post building close to Central station and has ten huge VJ screens. Of course the view of the city is astonishing from up here. The music is from poppy house to Japanese electronica crossover. Other popular clubs are Melkweg [2] and Paradiso [3]. These two are close to the Leidse Square and are music stages as well. Normally the bands play in the evening, and at night the clubbing is happening. If you prefer the smaller and cosier places, don’t worry, jazz blues and that kind of stuff is well presented in Amsterdam. Close to the Leidse Square you will find Café Alto [4], a jazzy place, and a little further Maloe Melo [5] which is more focused on the ‘ blues baby’.

We proudly present…Jenever! Jenever is a strong, alcoholic beverage also known as Dutch gin. Many senior Dutchies sip one or two of them in the afternoon but it’s good for everyone! Well that is -as any alcoholic drink of course- if you don’t drink too much of it. Jenever has a whisky feel to it, but is even better in getting you pissed. This makes it a good drink to mix with some soda like a coke. If you ask -in a good bar- for a ‘borreltje cola’ the bartender will help you to your Jenever & cola mix. Amsterdam has also got special bars where they serve all kinds of Jenever. Trust me, the fruit Jenever is a definite must!

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