Red Light Bar is a wood-clad sports bar, pool hall and late-night drinking spot at Oudezijds Achterburgwal 61, 1012 DB Amsterdam, in Amsterdam’s Red Light District (De Wallen), Netherlands. Its core identity is straightforward: cold drinks, televised sport, cue sports and DJ-led nights in the middle of the historic canal quarter. Travelers come for a casual place to watch a match, play pool with friends, start an evening out or stay on after dark.
What to Expect at Red Light Bar
Expect a social, activity-led bar rather than a quiet canal café. The interior’s wood-clad look gives the room a pub-like feel, while large TV screens make sport a central part of the visit. Programming can change with the sporting calendar, so a major football match or other live fixture may shape the atmosphere and crowd level. The drinks focus is beer and cocktails, with the bar designed for lingering rather than a quick sightseeing stop.
Pool tables are the key hands-on attraction and make Red Light Bar particularly useful for groups who want an evening with something to do between rounds. Rotating DJs add music later in the day and night, especially when the surrounding De Wallen streets are busiest. There are no museum-style exhibits, guided trails or ticketed collections here; the signature experiences are watching sport on the big screens, taking a turn at pool and joining the bar’s late-night music scene.
- Big-screen sport: Follow live fixtures in a bar built around televised viewing.
- Pool tables: Play cue sports as part of a relaxed group outing or night out.
- Beer and cocktails: Choose from the bar’s drinks-led offering at a €€ price level.
- Rotating DJs: Hear DJ programming during late-night sessions.
- De Wallen location: Step directly into Amsterdam’s historic canal-side nightlife district.
Red Light Bar at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Oudezijds Achterburgwal 61, 1012 DB Amsterdam |
| Neighborhood / Area | De Wallen / Red Light District, in Amsterdam’s old canal center |
| Operating Hours | Mon 12pm–1am; Tue 4pm–1am; Wed 12pm–1am; Thu 12pm–1am; Fri–Sat 11am–3am; Sun 11am–1am |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | Free entry; no admission tickets are required. Drinks and games are charged separately. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2 hours; allow longer for a match, pool games or a DJ night. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Nieuwmarkt metro station is about a 6-minute walk; Amsterdam Centraal is roughly 10 minutes on foot. Parking Centrum Oosterdok is about a 12-minute walk. |
| Official Website / Phone | redlight-bar.com / +31 20 427 2529 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For a calmer drink or a better chance of finding a pool table, arrive soon after opening or in the afternoon. Friday and Saturday nights run until 3am and are the liveliest periods; major televised sport can also fill the room early. There is no admission ticket to book. For groups, a pool-table plan or a particular match, call +31 20 427 2529 ahead or check the official website and social channels for current music and event information.
Nieuwmarkt is the most convenient Metro 51, 53 and 54 stop for the bar; walk west through the old center toward Oudezijds Achterburgwal. Amsterdam Centraal is an easy alternative for visitors arriving by train. Avoid relying on curbside parking in this congested central area and use Parking Centrum Oosterdok if driving. The canal-quarter approach includes narrow streets and uneven historic paving, which can be difficult for wheelchairs and strollers. Confirm step-free entrance and accessible-toilet arrangements directly with the venue before setting out. Within a 5- to 15-minute walk, pair a visit with Oude Kerk, the Zeedijk’s restaurants and Chinatown, or Dam Square and its surrounding shopping streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best times to visit Red Light Bar?
Afternoons and early evenings are best for a more relaxed drink or pool game. For the full late-night atmosphere, go Friday or Saturday, when the bar is open from 11am until 3am. Weekday closing time is generally 1am.
Does Red Light Bar charge admission or require reservations?
Entry is free and there are no admission tickets. Pay for drinks and any games played. Contact the bar in advance if your group wants to coordinate a pool table, a match screening or a late-evening visit.
How much time should I budget for Red Light Bar?
Plan on one to two hours for drinks and a few games of pool. Stay longer if you are watching a full sporting event or visiting during a DJ set, then continue exploring De Wallen on foot.
Is Red Light Bar suitable for families or wheelchair users?
The late-night sports-bar and DJ setting is best suited to adult nightlife. Families may find daytime hours more appropriate. Wheelchair and stroller users should note the uneven canal-quarter paving and call ahead to verify step-free access and accessible facilities.
When planning your Amsterdam travel guide or comparing verified nightlife and sports bar in Amsterdam, pair this stop with standout local spots including De L'Europe, Belushi's, B. Amsterdam B3, and Café Old Wembley Amsterdam: Sports Bar Guide 2026 (nearby).
