Rugby World Cup Final Amsterdam: Where to watch in 2015

When in Amsterdam... the city is not rugby mad. However, there are many places to watch the Rugby World Cup in 2015. 

Here is a rugby fan's advice on the places that you will find on your google search for places to watch the rugby world cup final in Amsterdam. We also provide  tips on different places to watch the Rugby World Cup when in the city.

Belushi's
Location: Warmoesstraat 129

Is the number one search result for where to watch the rugby world cup in Amsterdam. They come up as the top search term due to their London location whom has a relationship with rugby sponsor, Heineken. 

Honestly, the bar is narrow, small with nor a lot of seats and limited tables. Drink specials are 2-4-1 Becks beer bottles are good. It is a hostel bar. Not great if you have a large group.

Coco's Outback
Location: Thorbekeplein 8-12

A large bar just near the famous square of Rembrandtplein. This place will be the go-to-place for the Australian supporters as it is an Australian theme bar. The All Black supporters will also be there due to the two countries' special connection. Normally, it is filled with expats and South Africa.

For atmosphere this will be the place to be. It will be hard to find a seat and the beer is lousy. It does say this on the entrance so the honesty is appreciated. If you can't find a seat retreat to nearby Three Sisters and St James Gate on Rembradtplein. Places these on your map as you will need them especially if you are late when arriving to Cocos.

Cafe Corso 
Location: O.Z. Achterburgwal 26

Cafe Corso was for a long time the Rugby Bar in Amsterdam. This is no longer true with a change of management, like many places places in Amsterdam, it thrives on a reputation earned long ago. There is still rugby shirts in the bar area and the place is visited by Rugby people during Amsterdam 7s.

Susie's Saloon
Location:O.Z Voorburgwal 254

The ceiling is decorated in Rugby jerseys. They still sponsor a team in the annual Rugby 7s. Traditionally, a base for the southern Hemisphere supporters especially, New Zealanders. 

Susie's jug/pitcher prices are hard to beat outside the Happy Hours. Happy hour is 3:30pm-6pm and 10:30pm-12am. 7 days a week. The large smoking room is popular with the differing smokers you would expect to find in Amsterdam.

Satellite Sports Cafe
Location: Leidseplein 11 

This is a place to go find sports that don't get a lot of coverage in Europe. Baseball, Ice Hockey, basketball. This is not a place for the rugby. The place is very small and cramped in Tourist Central.


Irish Bars

Every city has one or more and you know what they are like. Irish bars, the world around, understand rugby and their supporters. These bars are normally large and can cater to groups. Our pick of the Irish bars of Amsterdam are:

O'Reilly's
Location: Paleisestraat 103

Central location behind the Royal Palace end of the Dam Square. The Management is actually Irish. Good, professional, helpful service. There is normally a rugby shirt on one of the patrons in the locals' corner.

O'Donnells
Location: Ferdinand Bolstraat 5

Located in the Pijp on the edge of Heinekenplein this bar has plenty of space. As it is away from the old centre there are fewer tourists but still easy to access via public transport. 

Durty Nelly's 
Location:  Warmoesstraat 115

Located in the heart of the Red Light District this is a hostel bar with space. Good drink specials and plenty of screens for a good vantage point of the rugby.

Local Tip

My pick would be the downstairs area of Cafe Batavia 1920. Location: Prins Hendrikkade 85. A smokers area canal side a short distance from Amsterdam's Centraal Station. The drink prices are reasonable and there are more locals at this central place. A word of warning space is limited.

When in Amsterdam...enjoy rugby!

Raging Bitch: Beer of the Week at Cafe Batavia 1920

When in Amsterdam.... drink a Raging Bitch. Beer of the week at Cafe Batavia 1920 is a Belgian style Indian Pale Ale. On pouring there was a lovely white head. The first sip was immediately full of hops but then changed to flavors of citrus, apples and grapefruit.

Raging Bitch at Cafe Batavia 1920

 For those that like gin and tonics this is a beer for you. The Raging Bitch was easy to drink. After having two Bitchs the evening was kicked off in a great fashion.

When in Amsterdam.....drink an Indian Pale Ale.

For more Batavia Beers of the Week:
- Affligem Dubbel
- Maredsous Blonde
- Barbar
- Delirium Nocturnum 
- Golden Dragon

Here is a list of beer things to do like brewery and beer tours in Amsterdam.

Cafe Batavia 1920 Beer of the Week: Affligem Dubbel

When in Amsterdam....visit Cafe Batavia 1920. The location of Beer of the Week has a list of 42 beers and good honest tasty pub food. We notice sitting at the bar that the last two Beers of the Week have sold out and are to be re-stocked over the weekend. It is heartening that customers of Cafe Batavia 1920 are savvy, exploring beyond the standard Pils/lager.

Beer of the Week is Affligem Dubbel, a Begian brown ale.  On pouring there is a large light tan coloured head but the foam quickly disappears forming a simple ring on top of the beer. On smell, the Affligem Dubbel is malty with a hint of fruit. 

Affligem Dubbel at Cafe Batavia 1920

The first taste is lighter than expected. There is not as much body as what was expected. The beer is refreshingly light for a double ale. At first, while the beer is still cold from the fridge, you don't notice but as the beer warms the beer is sweet. There is an interesting taste that cannot simply be described by sweet. Little sip follows little sip trying to place the taste. At times there is citrus overtones, other sips seem to have more plum flavours. Getting towards the end of the beer the secret is in the carbonation or the small little bubbles that spread the taste.

By the end of the second the Affligem Dubbel the mouth is fresh with a clean sweetness and not beer. A thoroughly enjoyable beer.

When in Amsterdam...have a great weekend!

Other Beer of the Week entries:

- Maredsous Blonde
- Barbar
- Delirium Nocturnum
- Golden Dragon

Golden Dragon: Beer of the Week at Amsterdam's Cafe Batavia 1920

When in Amsterdam....drink a Golden Dragon. May begins and temperatures have dropped. Sitting at the corner bar of Cafe Batavia 1920 Beer of the Week is a warming dark triple ale, Gulden Draak (Golden Dragon).

The smell of alcohol immediate is comforted with coffee aroma. The froth of the beer cappuccino. Not a drop drunk and already a coffee.

One sip and taste was full, lingered and finished bitter, refreshed, warm. The glass finished sweating and the beer developed softer subtle sweet and sour flavours.

What a beer! Relaxed and amazed by the Golden Dragon experience an introduction is made to the stranger next, "Haallo, What do you do when in Amsterdam?

Gulden Draak at Cafe Batavia 1920

Previous Beers of the Week:

- Maredsous Blonde
- Barbar
- Delirium Nocturnum

Amsterdam's Cafe Batavia 1920 Beer of the Week: Maredsous Blonde

When in Amsterdam....drink a beer that is not pilsner. Happy Queen's Day Weekend everyone. Amsterdam  is set for a long weekend of celebration. Therefore we need a beer that is not to heavy, a beer that is different to earlier weeks. This week's beer is to help you enjoy the freshness and excitement of Spring and the Amsterdam party atmosphere.

With the help of Cafe Batavia 1920 the beer of the week is Maredsous Blonde 6 Ale.

This was the first beer to be produced by the Benedictine Abbey of Maredsous in Denee, Belgium. This Blonde 6 is now brewed by the well renowned Duvel Moortgat Brewery.

On pouring the Maredsous Blonde there was a large sticky head with wheat citrus aroma. The taste is a little tart to start with a dry finish. Citrus, spice, fruit and biscuit flavors burst through and disappear on the palate. The 6 stands for 6% alcohol. This 6 is an easy to drink blonde Belgium beer.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy Queen's Weekend!

Friday Beer of the Week: Barbar

When in Amsterdam...drink a beer that is not pilsner.

The basics of Beer on Friday have been stipulated. Beer of the week is the wonderful Barbar.

Barbar is a honey ale produced by the Brasserie Lefebvre.  This Brewery is situated in a small village south of Brussels and has been a family owned since 1876.

On tasting it is not as sweet as we expected. There is a malty sweetness. Honey and vanilla flavors are present but not over powering. The finish is dry spicy and slightly tart. This is the beer for those who are tempted to move from the safety of pilsner for the first time. With an alcohol content of 8% Barbar should be enjoyed slowly.

   

With the help of Cafe Batavia 1920 we are slowly working our way through their 42 beers for your reading pleasure. Bar Batavia is named after the former Dutch flagship of the Dutch East India Company which was wreaked on its maiden voyage and the surviving crew mutinied and started killing one another.

When in Amsterdam.....have a great weekend!

Here is a list of beer, bar and brewery tours of Amsterdam.

Friday Beer of the Week at Amsterdam's Cafe Batavia 1920

When in Amsterdam....drink beer that is not pilsner.

Amsterdam has approximately 1 200 bars for a population of around 780 000 people. Many bars in Amsterdam serve only one tap beer normally a pilsner, which is a type of lager. The most famous Dutch pilsner is Heineken, other brands include Grolsch, Bavaria and Amstel. 90% of the beer sold in the Netherlands is pilsner.

When in Amsterdam is a fan of small. Over the next weeks we bring attention to the small 10% of beer consumed in the Netherlands. We do this with the assistance of Cafe Batavia 1920. Cafe Batavia has 42 beers on its list. Its central location, good pub food, comfortable smoking quarter and private function room make this bar an easy option when near Amsterdam's Centraal Station.

This week's beer of the week is Delirium Nocturnum. A triple fermented Belgium dark ale.The beer is brewed by the 350 year old family owned Belgian Brouwerij Huyghe.   

The Delirium Nocturnum (translated from Latin as Night Madness) is made using 3 different yeasts and 5 different malts. This results in a complex taste that changes with age. On drinking we found chocolate smoothness with a long finish that had a hint of spice. An alcohol rating of 8.5% provides plenty of body. With the temperature of Amsterdam spring nights just above freezing this Belgian dark ale will add some warmth to your own Amsterdam night of madness.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!