Café De Spuyt is a late-night specialty-beer café at Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 86, 1017 RD Amsterdam, in the Leidsebuurt just south of Leidseplein. Built around Amsterdam’s brown-café sociability and Belgian beer-bar culture, it draws travelers and regulars for a convivial living-room atmosphere, classic Dutch bar snacks, and a deep list of Dutch and Belgian bottles and draughts.
What to Expect at Café De Spuyt
The point of coming here is the beer list. Café De Spuyt carries more than 100 beers, giving visitors plenty of scope beyond a standard pilsner: Belgian blondes, dubbels, tripels and quadrupels sit alongside IPAs, dark ales, bocks, kriek, lambic and Dutch specialty releases. Ask the staff for a recommendation according to strength, bitterness or style; it is an especially useful stop for travelers wanting to compare a crisp Dutch lager with fuller-bodied Belgian abbey-inspired beers.
Its setting is deliberately informal rather than polished or club-like. The café describes itself as a living room in the heart of Amsterdam, and the compact room rewards settling in over conversation rather than rushing through a drink. Bar snacks make this a practical pre-dinner or after-show stop, while the 3am weekday closing time—and 4am on Friday and Saturday—makes it one of the more reliable options around Leidseplein after nearby kitchens and cultural venues have wound down.
- 100-plus beer selection: A broad choice focused on Dutch and Belgian specialty beers, available across bottle and draught formats.
- Belgian beer styles: Look for blond, dubbel, tripel and quadrupel ales alongside fruit-led kriek and tart lambic.
- Dutch craft discovery: Use the selection to try local specialty beers beyond Amsterdam’s familiar pilsner brands.
- Late-night hours: Open until 3am most nights, with Friday and Saturday service extending to 4am.
- Leidsebuurt location: A short walk from Leidseplein’s theatres, trams and evening entertainment.
Café De Spuyt at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 86, 1017 RD Amsterdam |
| Neighborhood / Area | Leidsebuurt, beside Leidseplein |
| Operating Hours | Mon–Thu 4pm–3am; Fri–Sat 3pm–4am; Sun 3pm–3am |
| Admission / Price Range | No admission; €€ drinks-and-snacks bar |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Leidseplein tram stops; Q-Park Byzantium is about a 10–12 minute walk |
| Official Website & Phone | cafedespuyt.nl & +31 20 624 8901 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Come early in the evening if you want time to discuss the list and find seats before the Leidseplein crowd arrives; the room is best approached as a place to linger with one or two carefully chosen beers. Friday and Saturday are the latest nights. No reservation platform is advertised, so parties wanting to meet at a particular time should call ahead. Dress is casual, although this is a bar where taking care over the beer choice matters more than dressing up.
From Amsterdam Centraal, tram routes 1, 2, 5, 7 and 12 reach Leidseplein; from the stops, walk south into Korte Leidsedwarsstraat. Drivers can use Q-Park Byzantium near Tesselschadestraat, then continue on foot. Café De Spuyt is a compact venue; guests requiring step-free entry, wheelchair turning space or an adapted toilet should call before traveling. Within a few minutes on foot are Leidseplein, the DeLaMar Theater and the Internationaal Theater Amsterdam; Vondelpark begins roughly 10 minutes southwest, making the café a useful finish after an afternoon in the park or an evening performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Café De Spuyt’s hours, and when is the best time to go?
The café opens at 4pm Monday through Thursday and at 3pm Friday through Sunday. It closes at 3am most nights and 4am on Friday and Saturday. Arrive near opening or in the early evening for a calmer tasting experience and easier seating.
Does Café De Spuyt charge admission or require reservations?
There is no admission charge; visitors pay for drinks and bar snacks, with a €€ price level. The café does not advertise an online reservation system. Call +31 20 624 8901 for current arrangements, especially for groups or a late Friday or Saturday visit.
How long should I spend at Café De Spuyt?
Allow 1 to 2.5 hours. One hour works for a pre-theatre beer near Leidseplein, while a longer stay gives you time to sample contrasting styles such as a Belgian tripel, a Dutch IPA and a sour kriek or lambic.
Is Café De Spuyt suitable for wheelchair users or families?
The intimate bar format can be less convenient during busy late-night periods. Contact the café in advance to confirm step-free access and toilet facilities for a wheelchair or stroller. Early evening is the most comfortable time for visitors seeking a quieter, more family-suitable atmosphere.
When planning your Amsterdam travel guide or browsing verified nightlife in Amsterdam, pair this stop with standout local spots including Jansz, Yamazato, Van Brienenhofje, and Sherpa Restaurant (nearby).
