http://amsterdam.spottedbylocals.com Experience Amsterdam the local way! Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:10:30 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en At the beginning of the twentieth century the city of Amsterdam was, like many major European cities, under the spell of progress. Unlike in for instance Paris or Budapest however, the city's reforms did not take the shape of the massive tearing down and rebuilding of the centre.Like a lot ... http://amsterdam.spottedbylocals.com/by-activity/art-culture-amsterdam/museum-t-ship In my quest for an authentic pub experience I've been stopping by a small pub called "The Minds" quite often lately. It is small, brown, and what's more, smoky! Yes despite the ban on smoking in public places, the clientele is still steadily puffing away over here. It doesn't matter whether ... http://amsterdam.spottedbylocals.com/by-area/old-center/bars-old-center/the-minds Monday night is film night in De Nieuwe Anita, a cozy little bar that used to be run by squatters. The movies are presented by an American dude named Jeffrey Babcock, who's been a part of the sub-cultural scene of Amsterdam for quite some time. Not only does he select those ... http://amsterdam.spottedbylocals.com/by-activity/cinemas-amsterdam/cinemanita-de-nieuwe-anita Although you might as well go to Belgium to try the Flemish fries, it's a lovely country after all, you can get a taste of them in Amsterdam as well. At Vleminckx in the Voetboogstraat, near Spui, you can help yourself to a beautiful bag of light-golden fries; thick, crispy on ... http://amsterdam.spottedbylocals.com/by-activity/snacks-amsterdam/vleminckx-belgian-fries This cinema/bar is run by a staff of about forty-five volunteers that are all students. Since I am one of them, my perception of the place might be quite different from that of a customer. I have however experienced Kriterion literally at every hour of the day and at every ... http://amsterdam.spottedbylocals.com/by-activity/bars-amsterdam/kriterion-cinima-bar This brown colored pub on the Kloveniersburgwal was here when my father was studying in Amsterdam. It is supposed to be a literary café, a place where you can read a book or newspaper in peace, but I usually find it quite lively. It has a layout that is typical for ... http://amsterdam.spottedbylocals.com/by-area/old-center/bars-old-center/engelbewaarder At the beginning of the Spuistraat you find a small club called Bitterzoet (Bittersweet). Its interior is not very sophisticated, but the beats they play in it are. The music they offer ranges from reggae to hip-hop to dub-step, and occasionally a little bit of pop or electro. I have spent ... http://amsterdam.spottedbylocals.com/by-activity/music-amsterdam/bitterzoet-club- I am one of those cats that is unable to study in a quiet environment. What I need is a lively environment, with chattering people in it having a pleasant time. Café Crea is located on the grounds of some of the most beautiful buildings of the UvA (University of Amsterdam), ... http://amsterdam.spottedbylocals.com/by-area/old-center/bars-old-center/cafe-crea The reason that this bar is suitable for daily use is because you can go here for breakfast, coffee, lunch, diner, cocktails or a night out. An all-round bar so to say!The mix of tourists, hip students, and locals creates a relaxed, but outgoing atmosphere.The Noordermarkt area has always been ... http://amsterdam.spottedbylocals.com/by-activity/bars-amsterdam/finch-caf Small and elegant at the corner of the Banstraat and Valeriusstraat, that's Valerius.A place to go to for breakfast, lunch and after work drinks. If you have something to celebrate, small parties are welcome, but please call a little in advance.The interior is modern and elegant. Beautiful photo's decorate the ... http://amsterdam.spottedbylocals.com/by-area/oud-zuid/bars-oud-zuid/valerius-eten-drinken