Hoe vrienden maken tijdens een pub crawl in Amsterdam: praktische tips voor solo-crawlers

Amsterdam’s canals are lit up at night, the smell of bitterballen drifts from De Pijp bars, and the clink of glasses echoes through Leidseplein. You’re standing alone outside a crowded pub, holding a Heineken, wondering if anyone here even notices you’re new. Sound familiar? You’re not alone - literally. Every weekend, hundreds of solo crawlers wander Amsterdam’s nightlife, hoping to connect, but most leave without a single name exchanged. Making friends on a pub crawl in Amsterdam isn’t about luck. It’s about knowing where to stand, what to say, and when to walk away.

Start where the locals actually hang out

Forget Leidseplein at 11 p.m. That’s where tourists take selfies with fake tulips and pay €12 for a lager. If you want real connections, head to places where Amsterdammers go after work. In De Pijp, try De Kas on Sarphatipark - it’s not a club, it’s a cozy bar with mismatched chairs and a crowd of nurses, teachers, and freelancers unwinding after a long day. Or walk five minutes to De Burcht on the Amstel, where the beer is cold, the music is low, and people actually talk. These spots don’t have bouncers, neon signs, or DJs. They have regulars. And regulars notice when someone new shows up.

Pro tip: Arrive between 7 and 8 p.m. That’s when the after-work crowd arrives, before the party surge. You’ll get a seat at the bar, not a standing spot in a sea of elbows. And when you’re at the bar, don’t just stare at your phone. Look up. Make eye contact. Smile. A simple “Is this seat taken?” works better than any pick-up line.

Use the Dutch way: be direct, but not pushy

Dutch people don’t small talk for the sake of small talk. If you say, “Nice weather today,” you’ll get a shrug and a “Ja, mooi.” But if you say, “I’ve been meaning to try the bitterballen here - how are they?” - you’ve opened a door. The Dutch appreciate honesty and specificity. Mention something real: the new IPA on tap at De Pijp, the fact that the Amsterdamse Bos is the best place to recover after a long crawl, or that you just got lost trying to find De Hallen and ended up at a taco stand instead.

Don’t ask, “What do you do?” That’s a conversation killer. Instead, ask, “What’s your favorite spot to grab a drink after work?” or “Have you been to the Amsterdam Light Festival this year?” People love sharing local secrets. And when they do, listen. Really listen. Nod. Say, “Oh, I’ve never tried that - thanks.” That’s all it takes. The Dutch don’t need grand gestures. They need genuine curiosity.

Join a themed crawl - not just any crawl

Random pub crawls in Amsterdam often turn into noisy, chaotic messes. But some are different. Look for Amsterdam Pub Crawl by Local Guides - it’s not a branded tour with shot shooters and fake “fun” games. It’s led by a local who knows the hidden spots. They stop at three real bars, not ten. You’ll meet people who actually want to talk. Or try Amsterdam Beer Walk, where you taste five craft beers with a brewer explaining each one. You’ll bond over hops, not hashtags.

These events cost €15-€25. Worth every euro. You’re not paying for a party. You’re paying for access to a community. And in Amsterdam, community matters more than noise.

Know the unspoken rules of Dutch bar culture

Here’s what no guidebook tells you: Dutch people don’t force friendships. They build them slowly. If someone invites you to join their table, say yes. If they don’t, don’t take it personally. That’s not rejection - it’s respect. They’re not ignoring you; they’re giving you space.

Don’t buy rounds for strangers. That’s not a Dutch thing. It’s a tourist thing. If you want to connect, buy one drink for yourself, then say, “This is good - have you tried the De Molen IPA?” That’s your invitation. If they say yes, you’ve started a conversation. If they say no, you’ve still had a good beer.

And never, ever ask someone to “hang out later.” That’s awkward. Instead, say, “I’m going to De Klos tomorrow night - they have live jazz. Want to meet there?” It’s specific. It’s low-pressure. It’s Dutch.

When to walk away - and why it matters

Not everyone you meet will become a friend. That’s okay. The goal isn’t to collect five new contacts. It’s to find one person who makes you feel seen. If someone is loud, drunk, or only talking about themselves, smile, nod, and say, “I’ll catch you later,” then move on. You’re not being rude. You’re being smart.

Amsterdam’s nightlife is full of people who are lonely too. But they’re not looking for someone to fix their night. They’re looking for someone to share it with - quietly, honestly. So don’t try to be the life of the party. Be the person who remembers the name of the bar they love, the beer they swore by, the place they want to go next weekend.

Follow up - the real trick

You met someone at De Pijp who loves De Klos jazz nights? Text them the next day: “Hey, saw the jazz schedule for next Friday. Still going?” That’s it. No emojis. No “Hope you’re good!” Just a simple, real invitation.

If they reply, great. If they don’t, that’s fine too. You still had a better night than 90% of solo crawlers. You didn’t just drink. You connected. And in Amsterdam, that’s the real win.

What to bring - and what to leave at home

• Bring: A small notebook (yes, paper) to jot down bar names or people’s names. You’ll forget them by 2 a.m.
• Bring: A light jacket. Amsterdam nights get chilly, even in summer.
• Bring: A reusable cup. Some bars give discounts if you bring your own.
• Leave: Your phone in your pocket. Use it to take a photo of the bar sign, not to scroll Instagram.
• Leave: Your need to impress. No one cares if you’re from New York or Nairobi. They care if you’re curious.

Where to go next - if you want more

After your first successful crawl, try Amsterdam Street Food Market on a Friday night. It’s less crowded than the canals, more local than the Red Light District. Or join Amsterdam Meetup: Language Exchange - they often start at bars in Oud-West. You’ll meet people who want to practice English, and you’ll get to practice Dutch. Win-win.

And if you’re still unsure? Go to De Hallen on a Thursday. There’s a bar called Bar de Stad where the owner knows everyone. Walk in, order a Amstel Light, and say, “I’m new here. Any tips?” He’ll point you to three places you’ve never heard of. And you’ll leave with more than a drink.