Where to Watch the World Cup 2014 in Amsterdam

When in Amsterdam....where do you watch the Dutch games for the World Cup 2014?

Here is:

•  tips on where to watch the games;
• Game dates and times;
• A list of places big and open, small and closed;
• Places to watch other games

Tips:

• Check the weather and prepare for rain just in case.
• Wear a little or a lot of Orange (or red, white or blue) on game day.
• Do not wear orange when the team is not playing.
• Talk football with the locals. The worse they can say is 'we don't like football'.

Game Dates:

Friday 13 June 2100hrs Netherlands v Spain 

Wednesday 18 June 1800hrs Netherlands v Australia

Monday 23 June 1800hrs Netherlands v Chile

Saturday 28 June Netherlands v Mexico

Saturday 5 July 2200hrs Netherlands v Costa Rica

Wednesday 9 July 2200hrs Netherlands v Argentina 

Large and outdoor

(photo by twittermania.nl)

Museumplein - Expect large crowds of Dutch visiting from around Amsterdam and a lot of teenagers just finished school. 50 000 to 150 000 are expected to turn up on the square surrounded by museums. For the final in 2010 200 000 were estimated to have watched the game at Museumplein. # late note. There is no game on the square for the Argentina game.

Let's hope we have this problem. Hup Holland Hup.

Hannekes Boom - Located 5 minutes walk to the east of Central Station this outdoor area is relaxed. A perfect place to watch the game if the weather is good.

Roest - Located in the near east a more local feeling is to be experienced. Take tram 9, 14 or 10. 

Small and local

Cafes in the Jordaan area such as Theo Thijssen. Many are small so be prepared to stand. The plus is that you will have the local vibe win or loose.

Small Cafes on the main squares:

Cafe Los - Rembrandtplein

Cafe de Monico - Rembrandtplein

Cafe Luxembourg - Spui

Cafe Spui-tje - Spui

Cafe het Molenpad - Prinsengracht Near Leidseplein

Brouwerij De Prael - Red Light District

Cafe Buurvrouw - near Dam Square

Where to watch other games

Most of the major tourist bars in the Dam Square, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein have the space to cater to many people. Expect these places to be full of travellers and locals from participating teams all throughout the World Cup

Coco's Outback - Rembrandtplein

St James Gate - Rembrandtplein

Pub Aran - Max Euweplein (near Leidseplein)

Satellite Sports Bar - Leidseplein

Hole in the Wall - Leidseplein

O'Rielly's - near Dam Square


When in Amsterdam...enjoy!

Related posts:

Amsterdam where to watch the World Cup by country.

Amsterdam Rugby 7s

When in Amsterdam...once a year International Rugby 7s is played. Since 1972 Amsterdam has had a 7s tournament. Amature, proffessional, men, women and children converge on Amsterdam to play the shortened version of rugby over two days.

This year, thanks to IAmsterdam we sent one of our guides and former rugby player to the 7s tournament. They were asked to check out and report back on the famous Amsterdam Rugby 7s tournament from a perspective of someone that knows nothing about Rugby. Here is what they had to say.


Amsterdam is a city of bicycles and canals so a friend and I meet at Central Station and rode our bikes west in search of Rugby fields that we never knew exisited. Amsterdam had put on great weather. The sun was shinning and the temperature hot for Amsterdam. The trip should have taken around 20 minutes but this is Amsterdam. There is always something going on. We briefly stopped twice. Once at a food festival of vehicles that were converted into kitchens and second at an outdoor music party with tunes that were hard to ignore from the bike path. After asking a few locals for directions we finally arrived at what one Amsterdammer described as 'a big happening over there'.

Wales v England Amsterdam 7s 2012

Rugby 7s is a shortened version of the traditional form of Rugby. Instead of 15 players per side there are 7. Instead of two halves of 40 minutes there are two halves of 7 minutes. Two teams of 7 play for two halves of 7 minutes. This is why the game is called 7s rugby. The tournament format and shortness of the game creates a carnival atmosphere.

For people who don't know anything about rugby 7s is perfect. Games are short and exciting. There are many teams so supporting one team is hard. The game is quick and fast passed as there is only 14 players on the field so there is normally more points scored in the 7s format.

We arrived to see the England play Wales on the main field. The standard was high and technically specific. It should not be surprising to see women play rugby to a high standard. Women rugby has come a long over the last decade and it was great to watch. The only problem was Wales lost.

It was then off to the back fields. As a former player the back fields of a 7s tournament are a great place to see people who love rugby. The other good thing about the back fields is you get to see two fields, therefore two games a once. Twice the excitement.

Back field action at Amsterdam rugby 7s

All of a sudden one of the players suffered an injury on the back field. Rugby is a physical sport and injuries happen every now and then. The player from Argentina had sprained his ankle. In no time the tournament organisers were on the spot with the electric car to transport the player to the first aid tent.

Amsterdam 7s organizers quick to respond to injured player on back field.

Amsterdam 7s organisers must be applauded for their quick response. Player welfare is the most important aspect of rugby. Even though the player pictured was playing in the furthermost back field the organizers responded promptly. Each field had a Marshall. Once the injury occurred the Field Marshall radioed to first aid and within minutes help was at hand.

Player welfare central at Amsterdam rugby 7s

After a lot of rugby and even more sun it was time to move back to the main stadium. The atmosphere was electric with people drunk with sunshine and rugby. The elite women were playing. On came the national Dutch team. The crowd went wild. They put on a great performance and won the game we watched.

Dutch Women Rugby 7s team

 Rugby is an international game and although the rugby is center stage there was plenty to do including mixing with people from all over the world. We talked with people from Argentina, England, South Africa, Australia, and Fiji.

Amsterdam rugby 7s an international affair

Fijians are famous for their rugby. In this small south Pacific Island country rugby is a national passion. Fiji has a population of some 850 000 people but they gravitate towards rugby even on the other side of the world. There was a whole gang from Tailevu in Fiji. Bula!

Bula vinaka! A gang of Fijians at the Amsterdam rugby 7s

For people who don't know anything about rugby, 7s is a great introduction. You don't have to know the rules of the game as you will be swept up in the game. It is exciting, quick, has carnival atmosphere and friendly people from all over the world. For some the excitement was too much.

End of a long day at Amsterdam rugby 7s

The organizers run a professional world class 7s tournament. As we rode home on our bicycles we knew we had experienced an exceptional day. Thank you IAmsterdam for the tickets and thank you Amsterdam for the wonderful weather. Next year be sure to check out the Amsterdam Rugby 7s.

When in Amsterdam...enjoy!


For our regular readers and transparency we were provided free tickets to the Amsterdam Rugby 7s. This did not impact the opinions written.

2012 Amsterdam: Events and Festivals not to be missed

When in Amsterdam welcomes 2012. A year of opportunity, fun and excitement. Also a year of doomsday philosophy and bleak economic predictions for Europe. Amsterdam has weathered many an international storm during its history so I don't think 2012 is going to be any different.

So what to look forward to in 2012.

2012 Queens Day is on a Monday!
In the middle of winter the April 30 festival is the light at the end of the tunnel. Often referred to as the largest street party in the world, in 2012 Queensday (Koninginnedag) will be on a Monday. This means a long weekend of parties.

If you haven't already organised your stay in Amsterdam for this not to be missed event get to it now. Many of Amsterdam's hotels, and tour guides are heavily if not fully booked for this weekend. So get organised so as not to be disappointed.

European Football (Soccer) Championships. Euro 2012 dates for Amsterdam
Hosted in Ukraine and Poland and running from 8 June - 1 July, the Netherlands has drawn, again, a pool of death. Expect Amsterdam to be full 9/14/17 June with their pool matches. 14 June is another date not to be missed when the Dutch go head to head with their arch-rivals the Germans. Amsterdam is certain to be full of nervous tension for this much anticipated event.

If the Dutch are to survive the pool stage and reach the semi final stage, expect Amsterdam to be in the grip of football fever for the semi-final on 27 and 28 June. With the Final to be held on 1 July if anybody remembers the South African World Cup Holland v Brazil game, Amsterdam knows how to celebrate. Watch the youtube clip of what happened in Amsterdam in 1988 when the Dutch won. House boats sank under the weight of celebration!

                                     



Olympic Fever
The 2012 Summer Olympic will be held in London a stones throw from Amsterdam. 27 - 12 August are the dates for the Olympics and then 29 August to 9 September is the Paralympics. With International guests descending on this part of the world many are certain to visit Amsterdam pre and post games.

For people planning to fly into Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport book your tickets early. Schiphol Airport is one of the largest and easiest to use in Western Europe so expect flight to be heavily booked from Olympic run-off.

For a full list of Amsterdam festivals see the IAmsterdam website

When in Amsterdam... Enjoy!

New Year's Eve in Amsterdam: tips for the blogging community

This is a blog for all the bloggers who are visiting Amsterdam for New Year's Eve. Mynameismatt.com asked how to go about New Years Eve in Amsterdam? (Updated 2015)

This is not an easy question and after experiencing many of these wonderful nights in Amsterdam we are still learning new and wonderful spots. We at Omy Amsterdam Tours are always looking to help and teach people about Amsterdam, a city we love.

Yesterday we covered fireworks so you know where to get them from.

We have valuable survival advice so you can have your own fantastic experience.Why? Because we belong to the blogger's community and no one ever told us the below points when first experiencing New Year's Eve in Amsterdam. We learnt them the hard way.

In the Dutch tradition we will start honest and finish honest.

First a few words of warning.

The city is full and I mean FULL.
Hotels are full, restaurants are full, clubs are full and the streets are full. If you haven't booked a nice restaurant or a club by the last week of December you are not going to get in unless you know the manager or the owner. There is no real place to hide, especially in the inner historic centre of Amsterdam.

No Transport.
Due to the overwhelming surge in the city's population at New Year's Eve public transport grinds to a halt. Finding taxis is difficult and Amsterdam's taxies are not known for being forgiving on visiting folk in the best of times.

Watch your backs.
The city is invaded by young men armed with small explosives. They are not afraid to use these explosives and throwing a banger into a crowd is commonplace. If I was young teen again I probably would be doing the same thing so please don't get cross at their excitement. Just see them coming before they frighten the socks off you.

Telephone Gridlock.
The city is jammed packed with people and everyone is sending text messages. On New Year's Eve in Amsterdam the mobile phone network is overloaded. On this one night it is back to the days before mobile phones. Set up meeting points at certain times in case your group gets separated is a must. If you want to meet someone set time and place before the sun sets. Then set up back up places an hour or two latter in case the first meet up fails.

These tips will be of more use to you than knowing where are the coolest hip and happing parties.

Now for the positive tips.

Arm yourself with Supermarket beer/wine
I learnt this off the Amsterdammers a long time ago. During the day visit the national supermarket institution known as Albert Hein is a must. With an eight pack of Amstel beer costing 5 euro you and your wallet will thank me when you recover in the New Year. If you buy something that is discounted you are going to need a discount card. Just ask any dutch person in the checkout line for those. The Dutch understand the value of a discount and won't begrudge anyone a few euro off their bill.

Please buy tins of beer and plastic glasses for your wine. Avoid GLASS BOTTLES. I have told many tourists this line. "Bikes and glass do not go together." By law you are not allowed to drink on the street. The  Dutch are famous for their tolerance and New Year's Eve in Amsterdam is one of the nights you get to let your hair down and kick up your heels.

Nieuwmarket, Amsterdam New Year's Eve

Nieuwmarket (New Market) Is the Place to Be.
On the edge of the Red Light District this is my favourite place central location. Dam Square and Museumplein (Museum Square) are good but full of people not from Amsterdam.  Nieumarkt is at the end of China Town. The Chinese invented fireworks. Need I say more?

                            Youtube clip of New Year's Eve in Amsterdam thanks to Amsterdam1971


Maritime Museum

In 2014/5 New Year's Eve in Amsterdam the city and the Maritime Museum put on a large display. Infrastructure was there to help crowds. Free toilets and lots of space for vantage points to see the fire works. Check with the IAmsterdam website for an update before you come.

For Families Visit the Library
This may sound like a weird tip but I have left the best to last. The Amsterdam Central Library is the largest public library on the continent of Europe. It is open until 10pm. Take your son and wife to the top after dark and enjoy what will be the best view of your trip to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is flat. Hence the name the Netherlands and any elevation on this evening is an experience you won't soon forget. No matter how many coffee shops you visit.

The library is also close to Nieuwmarkt, only a twenty minute stroll in a full Amsterdam. There is also a cafe (eating cafe not smoking) at the top so if you haven't been able to snare a dinner reservation you should be able to get something from the food hall. Best of all, entrance to the library is free.

Ok, blogging community and Matthew, Happy New Year.

Nieuwmarket, Amsterdam post New Year's Eve

What is most important is that,


When in Amsterdam...... Enjoy!

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Things to do in Amsterdam: Winter

Best Amsterdam small bar close to Dam Square

Where to buy Fireworks in Amsterdam

Crazy Men and Their Magnificent Flying Machines in Amsterdam the City of Bicycles

Once a year for the last 3 years Amsterdam has been visited by rare old pre-war auto mobiles. Yes, the city of bicycles and canals will host the 100 Miles of Amsterdam. This weird and wonderful event pits man and machine against the winter elements of Amsterdam in the dead of night in a race against time.

This event was established by rally and vintage car enthusiasts, specifically pre-1940 cars. This year it will take place on the night 18 December and be completed on 19 December.

This year around 50 pre-war cars will take to the streets in this all night rally test. The rally starts at Huize Frankendael in Amsterdam East. Contestants will drive through the city. Dam Square and the 9 Streets, especially Reestraat will be great vantage points. They head to the centre of Utrecht where they stop before returning to the banks of the River Ij in Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam Watch Company in Amsterdam's famous shopping districts De 9 Straatjes (9 Streets) is proud to sponsor the event and has designed the wonderful poster below.

On their website The 100 Miles Amsterdam event organisers justify the event citing, apart from good old fun, sustainability and innovation. They believe that today products have a short life and that people are not building products that last. Rallying old cars is supposed to show how men and women can make things that go on for decades instead of being replaced every 3-5 years and placing burden on the environment.




Below is a link from The Telegraaf. They made a short clip about last years event.

http://www.telegraaf.nl/autovisie/video_autovisie/8732464/__100_Miles_of_Amsterdam__.html

Everyone has pictures of bikes in Amsterdam and my town bike is one of my prized possessions but their is something classic and cool about old cars racing around Amsterdam. Rug up, get out and see these crazy, mostly,  men and their magnificent flying machines. Send us photos too.

When in Amsterdam.....enjoy!

Sex Workers storm Amsterdam's International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA)

Amsterdam is a busy place all year round. November is no different. As the clocks change time, the weather drops in temperature and the trees lose their leaves, Amsterdammers scramble to get building projects finished before winter and the film buffs take over down town Amsterdam.

It is the month of IDFA: Amsterdam's International Documentary Film Festival. When in Amsterdam has been attending a two week festival in its 24th year and the largest of its kind in the world. Over 300 documentaries are screened attracting 200 000 visits and around 2600 international visitors.

The city and especially the Rembrandtplein (square) area is crawling with industry people and film fanatics. Talking, selling, networking or just enjoying, you can't get away from the enthusiasm for documentaries in November. As the festival comes to an end it is time to tell you the stars and the prize winners this year.

This year the talk and especially the Dutch chatter has been about Amsterdammers, the Fokkens. Two sweet old Amsterdam ladies in grey knit sweaters identical twin sisters Martine and Louise.

At the age of 69 they have been working in Amsterdam's famed Red Light District for 50 years. One of the sisters still works while the other does not because of problems with her hips. A Documentary Meet the Fokkens about their lives and adventures premiered this year. In time for Christmas the imaginative sisters have also released a book about their lives.

There has been no better example of Dutch honesty then to watch and hear the Fokkens on the television and radio talk show circuit over the past two weeks. Click on the link of an interview with the sisters by the National Broadcaster with English subtitles to watch the women talk about their profession.


With over 300 titles and many events and exhibitions running paralel to IDFA it is hard to list favorites. Below is a list of this years prize winners.


Prize Winners:


Best Feature Length Documentary:
Planet of the Snail (South Korea) is a story of a deaf and blind man and his beloved.

Special Jury Mention and the Audience Award:
5 Broken Cameras (Palastine/France/Netherlands) tells the story of a Palastinian village dealing with Jewish settlement and encroachment over a period of 5 years.

IDFA Award for Best Mid-Length Documentary:
Montenegro (Argentina) is about the hermit life of a man and a dog on a quiet island.

Dutch Cultural Media Fun Documentary Prize:
Floating Bodies (Netherlands) about an unidentified corps

IDFA Award for 1st Appearance: The Vanishing Spring Light (China/Canada) life of West Street citizens in Dujiangyan City.

Best Music Documentary Prize (inaugural):
Last Days Here about the crack cocaine addicted front man Bobby Liebling

Best Green Screen Documentary
Bitter Seeds about why an Indian farmer commits suicide every 30 minutes.

Student Award for Documentary
The Betrayal (England/Norway) making mistakes in the world of Norwegian squatters and seeking forgiveness.

Blackberry sponsored Youth Award
Last Days of Winter (Iran) is a portrait about the lives of 7 Iranian boys in a youth detention center.

For more information visit the Film Festival's page:
IDFA

The Worst Hotel in the World Does It Again

A traveller's worst nightmare on entering a hotel maybe finding filthy bedding, no heating, air conditioning or incessant noise. Almost everyone has had an experience where the room booked just didn't look like the pictures.  When in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, this city takes this to a new level. The city of canals and bikes had four of the 2011 top ten dirtiest hotels in Europe as listed by Tripadvisor.

One hotel that did not make the list and pride's itself on being the world's worst hotel, yes you read it correctly is the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel. This small hotel located in the middle of the the city's famed Red Light District has turned the worst hotel in the world into their byline.

It maybe the Dutch straight forwardness or their brutal honesty but this hotel has been advertising that it is the Worst Hotel in the World for decades. So effective has the advertising campaign been that they made an entire book out of their approach.

The "Worst Hotel in the World" campaign was launched in the 1990s and was geared toward keeping complaints to a minimum. The campaign seems to have worked looking at the media coverage and the subsequent travellers' comments:

"Not as bad as I expected"
"Can't think of anything positive"
"Basic, cheap, does what is says on the Tin"
"You get what you pay for"
"So bad its great!"

Yesterday the Hans Brinker launched the latest episode in the Worst Hotel in the World campaign.

A blind cleaner details the benefits of the Hotel. Search Youtube for other Brinker classics or just check out their website for a laugh.

It is a shame that the World's Worst Hotel no longer makes the list of the world's worst. The power of advertising is finally revealed.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy.

Small Country Big Heart: New Zealand, France and the Amsterdam connection

When in Amsterdam has been watching the rugby and the 2011 Rugby World Cup has reached its final stage. France is to take on New Zealand for rugby’s greatest prize. The two countries have clashed many times on and off the sporting field. As rugby fans ready for the final on Sunday, a new ship sets sail from Amsterdam based organisation, Greenpeace. The conservation organisation, Greenpeace, was at the centre of an international incident between France and New Zealand that tested the small country’s courage on a world stage.

New Zealand a small country has always made world headlines with their fearsome All Black rugby team. The national team has dominated the world rankings holding the top position longer than any other country. France and the All Blacks have always provided exciting games at the World Cup. Perhaps the best game in rugby world cup history was the 1999 match where France beat the All Blacks 43-31. France has never won the World Cup and it was in 1987 the All Blacks claimed their only World Cup trophy by beating the French 29-9. The tenacity of All Blacks is not limited to rugby.

New Zealanders are famous throughout history for their courage. In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary was the first Westerner to summit Mt Everest. In World War I New Zealand had one of the highest casualty and death rate per capita of any country involved in the first Great War with the exception of Serbia. In the Second World War NZ suffered more per ratio than any other country of the Commonwealth. Charles Upham from Christchurch is the only combat solider to win the Victoria Cross twice. The highest award for valour issued by the British Empire.

New Zealand has also shown its courage on the world stage by rejecting nuclear energy and weapons. In the 1980s this small country was the world leader in the anti-nuclear movement. The government of the time established a law making New Zealand a nuclear free zone. American ships were rejected from New Zealand waters and the small country lost its biggest and most powerful ally.

The French too were criticised for their nuclear goal, and testing nuclear weapons in Pacific territories. The famous quote from former New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange that 'there's only one thing worse than being incinerated by your enemies, and that's being incinerated by your friends'.

In 1985 French secret agents detonated explosives beneath the hull of the Greenpeace vessel, Rainbow Warrior while it rested in Auckland harbour. The Amsterdam based organisation was to set sail to try and interrupt French nuclear testing in the South Pacific. The Government of New Zealand criticised the French who rejected any involvement. Documents released 20 years later showed it was authorised by French President Francois Mitterrand.

The attack in Auckland would now be described as terrorism but NZ Prime Minister correctly labelled the explosion as ‘a major criminal act’. France finally acknowledged their involvement. They jailed the agents involved, a Minister resigned and they paid the New Zealanders $7 million in compensation.

As the finalists were earning their place in the Rugby World Cup, Greenpeace launched the new Rainbow Warrior III. The new 58 meter schooner is to set sail from its German boat builders on Friday. It will continue to fight for conservation and is heading for Brazil to raise awareness of rainforest destruction. Amsterdam based, Greepeace is more diplomatic in its approach today compared to its more militant style activities in the 1980s.

In the 1985 New Zealand stood up to the might and arrogance of France. On Sunday New Zealand will have to overcome their superiority complex with rugby. Within every superiority complex there is an inferiority complex. Once again France is the opponent. Once again Auckland is the location but for New Zealand a small country with a big heart it will be the battle with themselves that they need to win if they are to take the World Cup Rugby trophy.

When in Amsterdam you can watch the World Cup final at Coco’s Outback, near Rembrandtplein.

Can I Smoke Cannabis in Amsterdam? Update Oct. 2011

Dutch Cannabis Coffeeshops have been in the news recently. Headlines like ‘No Tourists in Netherland’s Coffeeshops’ and ‘Dutch to ban foreigners from Cannabis Coffeeshops’ have dotted the news for the last year.

When In Amsterdam has received many questions from prospective visitors asking if they will be able go to Amsterdam’s famous Cannabis Coffeeshops when visiting the city in the forthcoming months. The simple answer is, Yes.

For a November 2012 update click here.

Why all the attention?

Feb. 2010: National Government critics Amsterdam for not enforcing the 2008 agreement of Local Councils of a 250 meter exclusion zone of Cannabis Coffeeshops near schools.

May 2011: National Government announces plans to introduce a ‘Weed Pass’ that would limit entrance to Cannabis Coffeeshops to residents of the Netherlands.

Oct. 2011: National Government says it will move to ban strong strains of Cannabis.

The political attention of Cannabis Coffeeshops has been led by the Christian Democrats (CDA).  The CDA is conservative political party that has been in power, as part of a coalition, at national level since 2001.

Today, the CDA has a strict policy on drugs. Since 2008 the CDA policy stance on drugs is that ‘the Dutch policy of tolerance towards drugs should be abolished and that all Coffeeshops should be closed’. It should be noted that it was the CDA that created the policy of drug tolerance in the early 1970s that eventually allowed Coffeeshops to become licensed businesses.

Simply put nothing has changed in Amsterdam over the last few years. Cannabis Coffeeshops that have closed have so because they have broken the strict rules of their license. 

If you are visiting Amsterdam you are free to visit a Coffeeshop as long as you have ID that stipulates you are over 18 years of age.

Enjoy the liberties Amsterdam has to offer but please don’t take it too far. Amsterdam cannabis is strong and many a visitor has over estimated its potency and this has detracted from their visit.

When in Amsterdam…enjoy!

Fun facts:

• Dutch cultivated opium in their colonies for centuries ending in 1915. Opium production accounted for 10% of income from Dutch colonies. Most income came from selling slaves.
• In 1900 Dutch open Cocaine producing factory. 14 000 kg of cocaine produced per year until WWI. During WWI 30 000 kg were produced per year. The Netherlands was the leading world producer of cocaine in the 1920s and 1930s.

What is a Coffeeshop?

A licensed business that sells small amounts of soft drugs: cannabis and hashish. They are called Coffeeshops because they do not possess an alcohol serving license and they do serve coffee.