Top 10 Irish Pubs in Amsterdam to Visit

Amsterdam is a city of colorful art, history, and culture, but it’s also a city of parties, entertainment, and some of the best Irish pubs outside of Ireland. When you travel, one of the best experiences to enjoy local culture is a trip to a local eatery or pub.

The Irish bars in Amsterdam will satisfy every urge, from an intense need for a pint of Guinness to seeing a game played by your favorite team. Some Amsterdam pubs are wholly Irish, while others offer a hint of the Emerald Isle, but they’re all fun places to visit while you explore the city.

Whether you want to get together with friends over a pint, watch the game, or find a cozy place for a date, you’ll want to get familiar with the best Irish pubs in Amsterdam.

TL;DR

• For Couples: The Wolfhound
• For Families: Molly Malone’s Irish Pub
• For Solo Travelers: Durty Nelly’s
• For Sports: O’Donnell’s

Best Irish Pubs in Amsterdam

1. The Old Bell

Address: Rembrandtplein 46, 1017 CV Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Old Bell will suit you perfectly if you’re looking for an old-school pub. Located on the Rembrandtplein, this pub is a fun stop whether traveling with friends, going on a solo journey, or in the mood for a fun and relaxed pub experience.

The pub features a cozy interior with all the dark wood and animal horns on the walls, but you’ll also find a patio available for relaxing outside when the weather is fine.

The Old Bell isn’t wholly or solely Irish, so you’ll find that it could resemble a pub in England or Ireland with its assortment of imported beers.

Pros

• Great location in an area you’ll probably visit anyway when you’re in Amsterdam
• Wonderful ambiance for chill relaxation and drinks with friends

Cons

• The food is basic pub grub, so don’t expect a Michelin-star experience

See Related: Best Parks in Amsterdam to Visit

2. Temple Bar

Address: Kloveniersburgwal 2, 1012 CT Amsterdam, Netherlands

You’ll find all the classic Irish beers at Temple Bar, like Kilkenny and Guinness, as well as some of the native Dutch brews available, too.

One of the neat features of Temple Bar is that it actually shows National Football League (NFL) games, which is a boon for American travelers who want to see their country’s “football” games in Europe.

The pub even sells American beers like Budweiser, but why would you go to an Irish bar in Amsterdam to drink American beer? Perhaps you might try dim sum at Temple Bar for the same reason. It’s not Irish or traditional pub food, but the international menu is fun.

Pros

• The pub is English-speaking, so you won’t need to pull out your Dutch translation book
• It shows sports games on the screens, so you won’t miss your team playing while you travel

Cons

• The prices are a bit high on a few beers, but not extraordinarily so

3. Molly Malone’s Irish Pub

Address: Oudezijds Kolk 9, 1012 AL Amsterdam, Netherlands

You must stroll into the internationally famous Red Light District of Amsterdam to reach Molly Malone’s Irish Pub. As a traditional Irish pub, Molly Malone sells its share of classic ales, but you’ll also find an incredible selection of whiskies.

Molly Malone’s Irish Pub offers traditional pub food, too, so you don’t need to worry about eating before you arrive. The pub is also an excellent place to enjoy an Irish breakfast with Irish Coffee, so check the pub out first thing for a welcoming and jovial morning vibe, or try later in the day for Irish stew.

Pros

• An excellent experience for the traditional Irish pub experience outside of Ireland
• Molly Malone welcomes kids and even has games for them to play while the adults imbibe

Cons

• If you’re particularly adverse to the Red Light District, you might need to visit another pub

See Related: Best Food Tours in Amsterdam to Book

4. Durty Nelly’s

Address: Warmoesstraat 115, 1012 JA Amsterdam, Netherlands

Durty Nelly’s sits next door to a hostel welcoming all sorts of travelers, so you’ll see many folks in the pub enjoying events like live music and parties.

If you’re traveling alone but want some company, you might want to stroll into Durty Nelly’s, where you can join the party in progress for a fun and lively evening.

Like many other Irish pubs in Amsterdam, you’ll get to enjoy an Irish music session on random evenings and broadcasts of all the major sporting events.

Pros

• Features lively and frequent parties for Irish and Dutch holidays
• Great Irish pub for young travelers ready to party and get rowdy

Cons

• Not the best Irish pub in Ireland for introverts who want a quiet corner and a pint

5. O’Donnell’s

Address: Ferdinand Bolstraat 5, 1072 LA Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam and the Dutch are well-known for their beer, and the Heineken factory is a popular stop for tourists in Amsterdam. Leave it to the Irish to shop next to the Heineken factory and sell Irish beer. In addition to selling beer, the pub also sells more than two dozen types of whiskey.

If you’re traveling but want to see your favorite sports team play a major game, O’Donnell’s is probably the best pub in the city for enjoying sporting events. Watching the game with newfound friends at the pub is the best experience, too.

Pros

• Excellent pub for watching big-ticket sporting events with a great crowd
• The seats are comfortable, which is great for relaxing for a pint with friends

Cons

• O’Donnell’s doesn’t always feel like a true Irish pub, even though it sells Guinness

See Related: Best Coffeeshops in Amsterdam

6. Hoopman

Address: Leidseplein 4, 1017 PT Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam has an entertainment district known as Leidseplein, where you’ll find the Hoopman Pub, a classic example of a cozy Irish pub.

The establishment gives you authentic Irish bartenders and delicious and comforting pub food. The pub also sells an assortment of ciders alongside its selection of beer.

If you want to drink beer with a great view, try to snag one of the outdoor tables to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the entertainment district.

Pros

• The best pub in Amsterdam to enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day party
• The pub’s location in the entertainment center of Amsterdam means excellent parties

Cons

• The prices are on the higher side of the average, so bring a few extra Euros

7. O’Reilly’s

Address: Paleisstraat 105, 1012 ZL Amsterdam, Netherlands

You might assume that beer is the most popular reason to go to a pub, but great Irish pubs often offer so much more than a pint. At O’Reilly’s, one of the best parts of the pub experience is the food, which is homemade in its kitchen.

If you’ve seen an O’Reilly’s before in your travels to Belgium and Germany, it’s the same establishment as the O’Reilly’s in Amsterdam. Technically, the pub is a chain, but it remains a great venue for atmosphere, beer, and food.

In addition to its surprisingly good food, O’Reilly’s also gets high marks for the views of Dam Square and the imposing Royal Palace of Amsterdam.

Pros

• If you’re hungry, O’Reilly’s is great for satisfying your need for food as well as a pint
• O’Reilly’s is excellent for finding a friendly face since the staff is welcoming

Cons

• The bar is busy enough that you often need reservations to get a seat promptly

See Related: Where to Stay in Amsterdam

8. Mulligan’s

Address: Amstel 100, 1017 AC Amsterdam, Netherlands

Many of the Irish pubs in Amsterdam offer live music. Still, if you want to hear gorgeous and authentic Irish songs and familiar Gaelic tunes, you’ll want to head to Mulligan’s, located near the Amstel River, the oldest Irish pub in Amsterdam.

The pub always has some musical performance booked, and you never know what you’ll get to hear. Sometimes it’s a little Irish band with classic songs, and other events feel like full concerts.

Pros

• Great music will keep you coming back to this pub for as long as you’re in Amsterdam
• Only pub in town offering traditional live Irish music

Cons

• Not the best Irish pub for a quiet pint or some alone time

See Related: Best Museums in Amsterdam to Visit

9. Gunnery’s

Address: Verdronkenoord 123A, 1811 BD Alkmaar, Netherlands

One of the reasons Gunnery’s is an authentic Irish bar is that much of the clientele is Irish. The establishment is very popular with Irish people living in and visiting Amsterdam, so if you want to hang out with Irish people and drink Guinness, too, Gunnery’s is a great place to start.

Don’t worry; you don’t have to have an Irish accent to have fun at Gunnery’s, but you might feel Irish after the bar’s excellent Irish breakfast.

The pub offers all the expected elements of a classic Irish pub with regular broadcasts of sporting events, and you don’t even have to drink beer to enjoy your time at Gunnery’s.

Pros

• Excellent Irish vibe for those seeking camaraderie with their fellow Irish
• Great Irish breakfast sold at a reasonable price

Cons

• You might need to take a train to reach the pub

10. The Wolfhound

Address: Riviervismarkt 9, 2011 HJ Haarlem, Netherlands

Some pubs in Amsterdam are just little holes in the wall with little to recommend for comfort or space. Such is not the case with The Wolfhound, a stylish pub hosting regular live music events. While it’s located just outside Amsterdam in the charming city of Haarlem, it’s worth the short trip to experience this classic pub.

Some music events feature new talent, so you might see an up-and-coming star before they score their breakout song.

If you’re visiting Amsterdam with your significant other and want a stylish yet lively place to spend the evening, The Wolfhound won’t let you down. The establishment even has a cellar lounge built in the 17th century.

Pros

• Beautiful pub for fans of great ambiance
• Regular live music events keep things lively and fun

Cons

• The pub can get crowded because it’s so popular, so visit at odd hours for the best experience

Related Resources

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• Places to Stay in Haarlem