When partying, it's not uncommon to find yourself drink alcoholeven when you're in Amsterdam.
If you decide to party on site, I suggest you read the following article.
Alcohol in Amsterdam: article summary
Buying alcohol in Amsterdam
Dutch citizens love alcoholic beverages in the best sense of the word. The beer culture originated in these lands and, like good beer producers, they are good drinkers.
In addition, getting together to enjoy a party or someone's company and drinking is a social habit in the Netherlands. It is considered that buying alcohol is a good thing and that you're a good host.
Is it safe to drink alcohol in public in Amsterdam?
Again, there's nothing more common than having a picnic or simply lying on the grass in any park, sitting by a canal or simply being a bar drinking a beer or sipping a glass of wine on a beautiful sunny day.
In the Netherlands, it is technically forbidden by law to consume alcohol on the public highway.
However, like many laws in the Netherlands, they prohibit it, but these laws are not enforced. However, if you come across police officers who want to enforce the law a little, you may be able to be fined €90 if you're in the street with an open can.
If you are in a bar or restaurant with a terrace or open space on a public thoroughfare, you'll be allowed to drink whatever you like.
Buying alcohol at the supermarket
You can buy alcohol in most supermarkets in the Netherlands. Albert Heijn is one of the supermarkets with the widest choice. You can visit You can also view their stock online and order from their website.
However, supermarkets are only allowed to sell three types of alcoholic beverage: cider, beer and wine. According to the supermarket, you can find a very good selection.
After all, Dutch supermarkets are the biggest sellers of beer and wine, but when it comes to spirits, it's a different story.
Buying alcohol in the Netherlands in a specialist store
Gall & Gall is one of the most famous liquor stores in the Netherlands. It is also part of the AH supermarket group. This means that if you find an AH, there are chances are there's a Gall & Gall nearby.
Here you can find spirits and drinks at over 15 %. These are licensed stores where you'll find most types of beverage.
Drinking alcohol in cocktail bars
These places tend to open between 5:30 and 6 p.m., a little early for some cultures, but considering they've already had dinner by then, it's more than permissible. On site, you'll find numerous bars and pubs ready to serve you the best concoctions.
What you need to know about alcohol in the Netherlands
If you've just arrived in the Netherlands, you're going to have to adapt to certain situations. However, the general rules governing the sale of alcohol are pretty much the same everywhere.
Thus, people under 18 are not allowed to consume or buy alcohol. However, they may drink beer or cider at 0.0 %.
If alcohol is consumed by minors, a fine of between 45 and 90 euros is imposed, depending on the age of the offending consumer.
If the minor is accompanied by a person aged 18 or over, that person must will not be allowed to buy alcohol either.
Looking to party in Amsterdam? You'll probably come into contact with alcoholic beverages. If you don't consume them on the public highway, you shouldn't run into too many problems. However, I would remind you that alcohol consumption is dangerous to your health. So, if you do drink, do it in moderation!
What to do in Amsterdam in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Amsterdam guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special Amsterdam guide!
Leave a Reply