Arendsnest Proeflokaal

rinhaak

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$

This is a lovely bar, and as an American interested in unique beers I cannot find at home, by far my favorite in the city.

The selection is astounding. Serving only Dutch beer, they claim to have every Dutch craft brewery represented. There are 30 beers on tap and roughly 120 bottled beers available. There is also a sizable list of rare and aged beers that is surprisingly affordable (I enjoyed a 9 year old La Trappe Quadruple that was simply sublime for only €8.)

Situated right along one of Amsterdam's many canals, the bar has limited outdoor seating. On my first visit, I had a lovely seat right next to the water and the waiter/bartender took my orders from outside. Inside, the café is small (long and very narrow) but tends to have enough seating. There are posters of various Dutch breweries along the walls, and a long bar lines about 75% of the wall.

One can taste anything before ordering - a nice feature that once saved me from purchasing a beer I may not have enjoyed as much. The bar staff is very knowledgable though always short-staffed; unfortunately, every time I have visited, there has been only one bartender on duty to attend to the entire bar. Considering the bar is usually crowded (though I've never not been able to get a seat), this is quite a task. That said, though the service is a tad slow, the one bartender always does an admirable job.

I have fallen in love with Café 't Arendsnest, and I will continue to return on every subsequent visit I make to the city. Highly, highly recommended.

04-23-2011 15:41:38 | More by rinhaak

DoubleJ

California

4.61/5  rDev +0.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | $$

In de Wildeman may be the classic Amsterdam beer bar, but Arendsnest is the ultimate place to visit if you're looking for Dutch beer. The interior is brightly lit with light colored wood panels around. A long bar can comfortably seat at least a dozen as well as the taps which are pouring. If you're looking for a selection of the taps for the day, look behind you and you'll find a chalkboard which posts the 30 taps of all Dutch beer (brands including Christoffe, De 7 Deugden, Durts & Laurent). Sure, you could ask for a bottle list, but if you're from out of town, most of the taps you won't be familiar with.

Another aspect which surprised me besides the selection was the service. Two bartenders behind the bar, but both were not only keeping up with orders, but the one who dealt with me was extremely knowledgeable about what was pouring, as well as a recommendation for a cheese plate. He also explained why Arendsnest prefers, in most cases, to use their own custom glassware versus using the brewery's glassware.

Without a doubt, the "eagle's nest" is a must-stop in the city.

05-13-2013 17:15:20 | More by DoubleJ

metter98

New York

4.2/5  rDev -8.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4.75 | $$

Vibe: This is a small bar located on the upscale Herengracht, which doesn't have many bars or restaurants located along the canal and is away from the tourist areas. The place seemed to have an even balance between locals and visitors. Bartenders behind the copper bar were arrived in matching. suit-like uniforms.

Quality: Beers were served at the proper temperature using a variety of glassware such as goblets, snifters and brewery-specific glasses.

Service: Service was a little slow and unhurried, but normal compared to European standards.

Selection: The bar prides itself in only serving Dutch beer on draught and has 30 such taps as well as a large selection of bottled beers. Flight of three decent sized glasses are also available for €7,50 and served on a placemat with the names of the beers written on them.

04-19-2013 20:44:31 | More by metter98

JimTeal

Nevada

4.7/5  rDev +2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $$

Visited a couple of times in September 2012. I don't like to be repetitive but others have nailed the place in their reviews. I think we had the same ravenhaired bartender who did indeed handle it all by herself, tables, bar and she was quite fetching I might add. The atmosphere was pleasant enough, I longed for a view of Herengracht but they only have a couple of tables overlooking the gentelman's canal, otherwise very good and comfortably pleasant. I am impressed by their fresh draft offerings with more than adequate descriptions of the beers. Did I mention that the bartender was professional and easy to talk to and look at? Food wise I recomment the peppered aged gouda plate as a nice side for the beers. I may be oversold on the Jopen's Ongelvige Thomas, but it is my benchmark for overall European beer taste and flavor. Back to 't Arendsnest, it is not hard to find when you are in Amsterdam and if you are looking for a Dutch beer experience you can do no better, though Wildman and de Zotte offer better overall selections, Arendsnest is a must do. We met a few good folks who were returning from the Munich Octoberfest and their overall impressions were solidly positive.

11-09-2012 22:47:06 | More by JimTeal

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped in here for the first time on 02OCT12, during a day-long visit to Amsterdam from my base in Maastricht.

It's another warm, busy, woody, friendly place. From the outside, up a short set of stairs into a place which is long and narrow, from front to back. A few small tables are near the entrance, and then the bar appears to the left, running about 2/3rds of the way back. Beyond that are about 5-6 small tables in the rear, where the "facilities" are located. Loads of bier posters, pics and placards adorn the walls here. The lighting is incandescent and warm, though the place is a bit brighter than, say, the Café De Knijnspiep in Maastricht. The bar has a long tap tower, and behind the bar reside loads of great glasses for every bier imaginable (well, almost...). It's all Dutch, all the time here. About 30 or so biers are pourable, plus loads more from bottles. I had a couple of things I had never heard of before (Sallandse, Hertog Jan) which were real nice! The lone bartender, a lanky, dark-haired lass, took care of the whole place solo without batting an eye. Gotta love it! Bummed that I had never been here before, but I surely won't pass this place up in the future! Prosit!!

4.5/5 rDev -2.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

246

10-28-2012 23:06:47 | More by Bierman9

heymikew

California

4.73/5  rDev +3.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

A wonderful showcase of Dutch craft beer!
If I lived in this town, I'd come here every night.
See my pic post (pending, when we are able to post) of their artful Dutch lineup on the chalkboard.
Very friendly, knowledgeable bartenders and patrons alike

Visited in Aug '11. Everyone I met spoke fluent English and were most helpful in getting me to sample delicious domestic craft in my favorite genres.

I was lucky and caught this place just after canal pride, when most were passed out on watercraft. It was moderately busy, comfortable and easy to converse.

It's located in the Jordaan, halfway between Central Station and Prinsengracht.

This is a MUST DO for beer geeks visiting Amsterdam!

03-31-2012 05:02:32 | More by heymikew

AMiz602

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +8.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This bar, so very close to Centraal Station, is a must. It is located on the easy to remember corner of Herenstraat and Herengracht. It is, "Simply Dutch." 30 Dutch beers on tap, and always a ton of De Molen bottles to choose from. The giant, bar-room long tap is a copper masterpiece. It is "heel gezellig" (very relaxing and enjoyable). The staff are more than happy to let you try your whims, and even though it can get busy, will let you sit there and sip in deep conversation. The beer is pretty normally priced by Amsterdam standards, but you rarely find some of the draft beers anywhere else in the city. This place by far is the best place for a Dutch Bar Experience, and with the huge selection, decent prices, and the allowance for taste testing, is a great way to expand one's beer palate. Tip: One of the few places to find, on tap, the rare and Quadruppely delicacy that is De Molen's "Hel & Verdoemenis."

01-08-2012 01:42:32 | More by AMiz602

fulcrum

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev -4.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 1.5 | $$

The atmosphere is very cozy, overlooking a nice canal, with just the right amount of light, seats, wooden furniture, etc. I got there before it opened and found some nice shops right around the corner where I got some quality local stocking stuffers. The bar staff was knowledgable and patient. They have a terrific selection of beers that they matched up well with my loosely stated preferences. Was only there three nights (Sunday through Tuesday) but went back for a 2nd time and was equally pleased. Find somewhere else to eat before or after though--these guys have just pre-made cheese plates, etc. I didn't try them but they looked weak. I will definately go back here again.

12-17-2011 23:38:30 | More by fulcrum

pgaveau

New York

4.47/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

I went here during a very brief stay in Amsterdam with my family based on reviews from BAs. The selection of Dutch beer is quite impressive both on draft and by the bottle. There are black boards which list the current draft beer, ABV and cost for each beer. Most draft beer is reasonably priced at around €4-6 Euro. During my visit there were several styles available on draft including dubbels, triples, barley wine, imperial stouts. A little bit for each type of palate. There were approximately 5 tables outside and 7 inside in addition to the bar stools. Both the waiter and the bar maid were very polite and knowledgeable. The bar maid explained the nuances of the different beers to any patrons the asked while we there. The bar food was limited but good. We had a meat plate, meatballs, and nuts. All were fresh and tasty. There were several cheeses available as well. Kids are welcome just bring something for them to do. We stayed for two beers and had a very nice experience.

10-03-2011 02:41:16 | More by pgaveau

Neorebel

New Jersey

4.78/5  rDev +4.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Stopped here on my European Beer-cation. As someone mentioned before, the essence of this place is a classy, clean bar with ample seating and a knowledgeable bartender. Once we asked about the house and local beers he opened right up and was discussing how American microbrew culture has come to Amsterdam and he had us tasting many selections. The menu is very expansive and I felt very unusual in that I was not familiar with the all Dutch names. I'm a noob again! I wish I spent more time here and also went to the sister location - BeerTemple. Well, I do know I will be back in Amsterdam - I'd like to learn more about their own scene as well as a little of the language itself.

09-13-2011 04:20:03 | More by Neorebel