You’re in Amsterdam with your loved one for the weekend, and you’re looking for things to do at night. Did you know that as the sun sets and the lights illuminate the shimmering canals, the city truly comes alive? Amsterdam transforms into a magical landscape filled with romance, culture, and enjoyment. There are numerous amazing locations and activities to experience with your loved one. Here are over 20 wonderful suggestions for the best things to do at night in Amsterdam.
Experience Amsterdam from Above on Your Date Night
If you’re aiming to create a memorable and romantic evening in Amsterdam for your special someone, consider taking in the city from a bird’s-eye view. Amsterdam boasts a variety of rooftop bars, restaurants, and even clubs where you can enjoy the stunning skyline together.
1: Illuminate Your Evening in Amsterdam
Luminair is a stunning rooftop bar and restaurant located in central Amsterdam, near the central station. It features floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace where guests can enjoy views of the water and the lights illuminating St. Nicholas Church. This setting creates a romantic atmosphere, enriched by flavors of history, beautiful architecture, and captivating light—making it a perfect date spot.
2: Amsterdam Light Festival
As winter descends upon Amsterdam, the city transforms into a fairytale wonderland with the annual Amsterdam Light Festival. Imagine strolling hand-in-hand with your special someone beneath twinkling Christmas lights while stunning light installations illuminate the canals, creating a magical atmosphere that’s perfect for couples. These are some of the most enchanting things to do at night in Amsterdam.
This limited-edition festival takes place for just over seven weeks each year, and as an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival, we’re thrilled to be part of this extraordinary experience. Drawing in crowds from all over, it’s a celebration that truly brings the city to life at night.
The edition 13, 2024/2025 theme for the festival is “Rituals,” a memorable backdrop for romance. The installations will be scattered throughout the city, but you won’t want to miss the experience of gliding through the canals in a cozy small boat, where you can admire the artwork up close. The gentle sway of the water, the soft glow of lights, and the laughter shared between you and your partner make for an unforgettable evening.
Below is a map highlighting all the stunning light sculptures and festive displays set to illuminate the city.
3: Enjoy an unforgettable date night in Amsterdam at this popular local favorite.
Canvas is an incredible and inspiring destination located in the eastern part of Amsterdam, making it a perfect choice for a romantic evening away from the tourist crowds. This venue features a rooftop terrace, a restaurant, and a hotel. It regularly hosts events, exhibitions, yoga sessions, hot tub experiences, movie screenings, and club nights. It’s a fantastic opportunity for couples to explore things to do at night in Amsterdam alongside locals.
4: Soak in the Amsterdam at Night
Experience comfort in the heart of the city at the glamorous W Lounge rooftop bar, with a pool. Inside a luxury hotel with lovely intimate areas to cuddle up after your romantic swim and savor your Amsterdam night together.
5: Daring to Soar on your Amsterdam Night
For those couples looking for a little daring adventure on their date, why not visit the Adam Lookout? The highest of the picks boasting a 360-degree view AND “over the edge” Europe’s highest swing, you can see the city and each other in a totally new way. Afterward, or for those enjoying more stability underfoot, the spectacular Moon, a slowly revolving = restaurant with 360-degree panoramic views, will be a magical night in your Amsterdam date night.
6: Romantic private evening canal tour in Amsterdam
Picture this, you are floating down the canals at night, snuggled up with your loved one. All you can hear are the sounds of the water and all around are lights on the bridges and the majestic 17th-century buildings. As you pass under the Seven Bridges of lvoe, you look into each other’s eyes and fall in love a little more.
We offer private tours, just for you and your lover. Amsterdam when the sun has set is truly magical with the lights on the bridges and reflected in the water. A must-do is sailing over the canals and if you want it to be romantic do it at night. Especially for those looking to share a gentle, intimate journey. We offer two different tours in the evening a full 90 min private tour with all the stories and more time to soak in the stunning canals and a 45 min tour for those with less budget but still want the magical experience.
7: Amsterdam Light Festival
From the 28th of November 2024 till the 18st of January 2025 there is the Annual Amsterdam Light festival. During these winter nights, there is more excitement in Amsterdam’s center than you might expect. For a brief time during the winter season, the breathtaking landscape of the historic city center is transformed by over 20 light installations scattered across the canals just waiting to be discovered. The theme this year is LOADING… Revealing Art, AI, and Tech. How do technology and artificial intelligence (AI) affect our everyday lives? All artists were asked to create an artwork around this idea. We organise a Light Festival Boat Tour to help bridge the gap between you and the art itself. The background of the pieces will be presented to you featuring unique insights. You can join on a private tour or join our small grouptour with other guests up to max. 10 people.
Perhaps you feel inspired to propose in this way? I would love to guide you through this process with our team we create wonderful marriage proposals in Amsterdam just for you and your lover on the magnificent canals of Amsterdam. Seeing Amsterdam at night from the canals will not leave you disappointed.
Here is a short impression from the private boat at night in Amsterdam
Visit a Theatre on your date night in Amsterdam
A theatre is a place full of magic, you enter and merge into another world, leaving the ordinary reality behind, and discovering new things about yourself and as a couple perhaps along the way. My background is in theatre and it is a place I always felt inspired by and I would love to share this inspiration with you. One of my personal favorite things to do at night in Amsterdam.
8: Art Deco Wonder during your evening in Amsterdam
A dazzling Art Deco movie theatre, Tuschinki Movie Theatre is a must for a romantic date night in Amsterdam. If you make a reservation you can even sit together in a ‘love seat’. A chair built for two, with no armrests, perfect to cuddle up and be transported. a very romantic thing to do in Amsterdam at night. Tuschinki was voted by Time Out Magazine as one of the most beautiful cinemas in the world in 2021. I think it is the most romantic cinema in the world. So this should be on top of your list of things to do at night in Amsterdam.
9: See a dance performance at night in Amsterdam
For those of you who are lovers of ballet and opera, this is an opportunity to see performances in one of the biggest stages in the country. I performed there as a dancer and I recommend this if you are looking for something purely romantic on your night in Amsterdam. Check out their program National Ballet and Opera.
10: Another great theatre
An inspirational venue for theatre and dance, the Amsterdam International Theatre hosts from large performances to the very intimate. A great place to be and enjoy your passion for the performing arts and the romance of the location.
11: Sounds of Love from one of the best Concertshall in the world
Would you like to be inspired with your partner listening to the best classical music Amsterdam has to offer on your Amsterdam date night? The Concert Hall is the main classical music theatre in the city and has many different performances running at any one time. It is famous for its beautiful acoustics and for classical music lovers one of the best things to do at night in Amsterdam.
12: Take a Night walk by the canals of Amsterdam
As I’ve said, Amsterdam at night is quite breathtaking. Why don’t you take a stroll walking hand in hand through the stunning and atmospheric streets of the Grachtengordel ‘canal belt’? Created originally in medieval times this is a subtle and intimate landscape. With the lights over the canal bridges in the evenings and the open curtains and lit-up rooms of people’s homes, you are given an up-close and personal snapshot of the locals and life in this beautiful city.
To inspire you and show you how romantic and magical Amsterdam is at night here a short video:
Comedy Nights in Amsterdam
Some might say laughter is the way to your heart and laughing together, listening to funny stories creates a wonderful light-hearted joy on your romantic weekend together. Here are some fantastic venues where you can giggle your way to fond memories of your time in Amsterdam at Night.
13: Laughter is the Food of the Heart
Comedy Cafe is a venue with international shows four nights a week, check out the link for more information on who is performing. You can also enjoy food and cocktails there too and if you go there, say hello to my friend Arthur as he is doing the technique for most of the shows. They have English-speaking performances almost every night in Amsterdam.
14: Homegrown Amsterdam Comedy
A homegrown comedy collective, Comedy Embassy features comedians from all over the world and in several locations around the city. Some of the local comedians are also tour guides by day, including my friend Tim, one of the creators of the group. Perfect for a playful date night in Amsterdam.
15: Local Stories
Not only a comedy venue, but Mezrab is also an amazing location for storytelling, dance, and music events. A little out of the center of the city, but if you are looking for a memorable evening filled with laughter, story, and romance that is a hub for locals, look no further. One of the fun things to do at night in Amsterdam.
16: Live Music in Amsterdam on your date night
As Shakespeare said, “If music is the food of love – play on”. Music goes hand in hand with romance and life music especially so. If the venue is picturesque and enchanting, or intimate then you are sure to have an Amsterdam night full of beauty and memories. I’ve selected for you three possibilities that offer something unique and special for couples.
17: Houseboat Heaven
A magical live music venue Hidden Concert in a Houseboat created, curated, and performed by my friend Dean. With a maximum of 35 guests and you can reach with a free ferry from the central train station. It is set on a houseboat, you can spend a romantic night listening to amazing musicians local and international, gazing into each other’s eyes, transported into the gorgeous sounds. When I went here I simply loved everything about it and this one is high on my list of things to do at night in Amsterdam.
18: Secret Concerts
Sofar Sounds create secret live music gatherings all over the world. They bring international musicians into intimate locations in Amsterdam and they aim to bring people together to hear the very best new music. Perfect for those looking for well-known artists playing for smaller audiences or to find new undiscovered talent to inspire you on your weekend getaway in Amsterdam.
19: Heart Warming
HeartFire Concerts promote concerts that inspire and uplift the heart. With musicians performing from all over the world with a focus on love and upliftment in stunning venues around Amsterdam.
20: Cocktail Night in Amsterdam
Amsterdam offers a delicious array of cocktail bars around the city. With dreamy and glamorous buildings and decor, you can soak in the Amsterdam nightlife with a cocktail or two on your date.
Color and Cocktails
21: A place for lovers of Cocktails
This is a great place, Labyrinth is loved by locals. I know the owners and they are so passionate about what they do. Inspired by Afro-Caribbean flavors, the cocktails are created in-house and also have food and poetry evenings. It is close to the Vondelpark and it is a must when visiting Amsterdam for a romantic getaway, a real gem and for sure a must thing to do at night in Amsterdam for cocktail lovers.
22: Inspired Design
Hotel 27 is an inspiring and glamorous location with gorgeous decoration, furniture, and design. A new hotel on Dam Square, the very center of the city, with lovely cocktails and a date night to remember.
23: Small and Perfect
A must for couples, the Jordaan is the most well-known area of the city, with bars, shops, and restaurants, this bar is one of the most beautiful, Cafe-T-Smalle is a delightful cafe next to the canal, a place to watch the world go by with your loved one. If you are sitting on their terrace by the water have a look near the edge of the water and you see a small sign on the floor that says “we fell in love here”. Love is created everywhere in Amsterdam.
24: Discover the Red Light District
Not the most romantic date tip, but if you are intrigued by the famous red-light district and have a leaning to spice up your relationship some of the women are open to couples if you go to them. Also, there is the famous Casa Rosso, an erotic theatre that has been running live sex shows for over 50 years. This is a must thing to do for the more adventurous couples visiting Amsterdam at night.
25: Museum Night Amsterdam
There is an abundance of amazing art and culture in Amsterdam and it has the most amount of museums per capita than any other city. Many of them are open in the evenings and might be just the thing to do at night in Amsterdam for your special date.
Dance together at Vincent Van Gogh on Friday evenings, with DJs, creative talents, and the art of this extraordinary artist.
Both the Stedelijk Contemporary Art Museum, Amsterdam’s hub of contemporary art has sometimes activities in the evening check out their website for up-to-date information. and the EYE film museum and cinema are open until 10 pm. Wonderful for couples who like to take a late evening stroll around the artworks, or to see an arthouse film.
26: Nighttime walk at the zoo
If you are an animal lover and can picture yourself walking together on a summer’s evening with your loved one, then you will be happy to know that the Amsterdam Zoo is open on Saturday evenings until 10 pm.
These are some of my best things to do at night in Amsterdam for couples. I hope they are helpful to you and they enhanced your stay in this most romantic city. I hope through these tips that your time together has been enriched by my local knowledge and passion for romance and Amsterdam. Do let me know what you think?
And if you would like to read any of my other blogs, here are a few ideas;
Best Day Trips From Amsterdam for Couples
Where to Stay for your Wedding Proposal or Romantic Getaway in Amsterdam
11 Romantic Getaways In Amsterdam
With love from Amsterdam at Night
Rocco
