Hill Street Blues Amsterdam
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Amsterdam Brown Cafes

4.6
·4k reviews·Amsterdam, Netherlands

A uniquely decorated brown cafe, covered floor-to-ceiling in stickers and graffiti, offering a vibrant and cozy atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, more chill vibes

CrowdLow
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Hill Street Blues Amsterdam

Amsterdam Brown Cafes

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, more chill vibes

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A uniquely decorated brown cafe, covered floor-to-ceiling in stickers and graffiti, offering a vibrant and cozy atmosphere.

4.6
(4k reviews)

"Awesome bar covered in stickers. Very chill the day I went and unfortunately no live music, but nice getaway."

Vertical photo
TIP

Bring Your Own Gear

They don't sell smoking materials, so pack your own to enjoy the smoke-friendly vibe. :herb:

Check Smoking Rules

Recent regulations mean cannabis smoking might be restricted. Confirm current policies before visiting. :warning:

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Graffiti-Covered Walls

Graffiti-Covered Walls

Interior

Every inch of this cafe is covered in vibrant stickers and graffiti, creating a unique, energetic atmosphere.

Cozy Lounge Areas

Cozy Lounge Areas

Downstairs

Discover intimate, comfortable seating areas perfect for chilling out and enjoying the unique ambiance.

Vibrant Canal Views

Vibrant Canal Views

Exterior

Enjoy the lively canal-side setting, offering a picturesque backdrop to your cafe experience.

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Smoking Rules Update

Recent changes mean smoking cannabis is no longer permitted in many popular bars, including Hill Street Blues. Check current regulations before you go to avoid disappointment.

Bring Your Own

Hill Street Blues is a 'smoke friendly' establishment, but they do not sell any smoking materials. Be sure to bring your own gear if you plan to partake.

Best Times

When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, more chill vibes
Crowd
Low
When
Evenings
Why
Lively atmosphere, potential music
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Hill Street Blues 🍺 #amsterdam #netherlands #thingstodo #travel #fyp
@aa2travels
64 likes • 2.4K views

Bring Your Own Gear

They don't sell smoking materials, so pack your own to enjoy the smoke-friendly vibe. :herb:

Check Smoking Rules

Recent regulations mean cannabis smoking might be restricted. Confirm current policies before visiting. :warning:

Hill Street Blues in Amsterdam is a hidden gem, every inch of this place is full of stickers, such a vibe 🍁 👌 #amsterdam #hillstreetblues #amsterdamcity #coffeeshop #amsterdamguide
@bossbaddiesnetwork
25 likes • 452 views
Polecam!!!! Pub nazywa sie Café Hill Street Blues w Amsterdamie😊 #tiktok#foryou#foryoupage#fyp#fypage#dc#viral#viralvideo#viralvideotiktok#dlaciebie#dciebie#top#tiktokviral#viral_video#viral_video_tiktok
@kwiqtek
43 likes • 1.2K views

Embrace the Decor

The walls are covered in stickers! Feel free to add your own mark if you like. :spray_can:

Cozy Downstairs

The downstairs area offers a more intimate and cozy experience. :couch:

#Hill street blues pub #Amsterdam
@rattanapornchaisi
83 likes • 628 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Bring Your Own Gear

They don't sell smoking materials, so pack your own to enjoy the smoke-friendly vibe. :herb:

Check Smoking Rules

Recent regulations mean cannabis smoking might be restricted. Confirm current policies before visiting. :warning:

Embrace the Decor

The walls are covered in stickers! Feel free to add your own mark if you like. :spray_can:

Cozy Downstairs

The downstairs area offers a more intimate and cozy experience. :couch:

Non-Smoking Section

A dedicated non-smoking area is available for those who prefer to avoid the smell. :airflow:

What Travellers Say

4.6
(4k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise the unique, sticker-covered decor and cozy atmosphere of Hill Street Blues, often describing it as a 'ruin bar on steroids' with a great vibe. While some find the staff less than welcoming, many appreciate the relaxed environment and the novelty of the graffiti-adorned interior. The recent smoking restrictions have been a point of contention for some long-time patrons.

"Great atmosphere, just chilled out people getting on with it. Has the same vibe as many clubs I went to in the eighties and nineties. Take your own gear as they don’t sell any. The price of entry - buy a drink."

Bethany Louise

"Favourite place to smoke and chill. Good vibes inside and cosy down stairs. Staff are friendly and always walking around checking if you want any drinks etc. Also have a non smoking section for those who want to chill out without the smell on cannabis in the air. 100% recommend"

james d

"Disappointment. The lady in the bar is the most unhappy and grumpy person in the world.

It says smoke friendly outside, also inside it says smoke and drink, ashtrays on tables but Smoke free only for cannabis :) not regular or vape.

Also, hence the name, music is nothing to do with the blues.

Better bars around."

Onur Sengul

What People Like

Unique graffiti decor
Cozy atmosphere
Relaxed vibe

What People Dislike

Grumpy staff
Smoking restrictions

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Many brown cafes, like Hill Street Blues, are located in the city center and are easily accessible by tram or foot. From Centraal Station, you can take trams towards the city center and walk. Exploring on foot is often the best way to discover hidden gems. :tram: :walking:

Yes, several popular brown cafes, including Hill Street Blues, are situated near or within the Red Light District, offering a unique contrast to the area's main attractions. :redlightdistrict:

Parking in central Amsterdam is notoriously difficult and expensive. It's highly recommended to use public transport or walk/cycle to reach brown cafes. :bicycle:

While you can't drive a car on the canals, walking along them or taking a canal cruise offers a beautiful perspective. Many cafes are nestled along these waterways. :canal:

Trams are your best bet. Routes like 2, 12, or 4 often pass through areas with many brown cafes. Check Google Maps or a local transit app for real-time information. :bus:

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Generally, no tickets are required for entry into most brown cafes. The 'price of entry' is usually just purchasing a drink. :beer:

Opening hours can vary, but many brown cafes are open from late morning or early afternoon until late at night, often around 1 AM or later on weekends. :clock:

Yes, you typically need to be 18 years or older to enter and purchase alcohol in bars and cafes in Amsterdam. :adult:

Reservations are rarely taken at traditional brown cafes, as they often have a walk-in, casual atmosphere. It's best to arrive and find a spot. :chair:

Most brown cafes do not have cover charges. Your primary expense will be your drinks and any food you order. :euro:

🎫 ☕ Onsite Experience

Brown cafes are known for their cozy, intimate, and often dimly lit interiors, with dark wood paneling and a relaxed, local vibe. They are the perfect place to unwind. :fireplace:

This has recently changed. While historically smoke-friendly, many cafes, including Hill Street Blues, now prohibit cannabis smoking due to new regulations. Always check signage or ask staff. :no_smoking:

The music varies, but it's typically low-key and ambient, ranging from jazz and blues to indie or classic rock, designed not to overpower conversation. :musical_note:

Some brown cafes offer simple snacks like bitterballen or sandwiches, but they are primarily drinking establishments. Don't expect full restaurant menus. :pretzel:

Yes, some cafes, like Hill Street Blues, offer designated non-smoking areas for patrons who prefer to avoid the smell of cannabis. :leafy_green:

📸 📸 Photography

Generally, yes, but be respectful of other patrons' privacy. Avoid intrusive flash photography, especially in dimly lit interiors. :camerawithflash:

The entire interior of Hill Street Blues is a photo op! Focus on the colorful stickers, graffiti art, and unique decor. The exterior canal views are also great. :art:

For personal use, photography is usually fine. If you plan to use photos commercially, it's always best to ask for permission from the cafe management. :briefcase:

Late afternoons or early evenings can offer a good balance of ambient light and a lively atmosphere without being too crowded. :sunwithface:

Always ask for permission before taking photos of staff members. They are usually happy to oblige for a quick snap. :mantippinghand:

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Brown cafes like Hill Street Blues can be an interesting experience for families, offering a glimpse into a different side of Amsterdam's social scene. The vibrant, sticker-covered walls can be visually engaging for children. However, it's important to note that these are primarily adult-oriented establishments, and the atmosphere can be more subdued or geared towards patrons enjoying alcoholic beverages. TikTok

Consider visiting during quieter daytime hours when the vibe is more relaxed. While some cafes might offer simple snacks, they aren't typically equipped with extensive kid-friendly menus. The main draw is the unique ambiance and the experience of a traditional Dutch pub. Always be mindful of the general clientele and ensure the environment is comfortable for your children. Reddit

💰 Budget Travelers

Brown cafes can be a budget-friendly option for experiencing Amsterdam's local culture. The 'entry fee' is usually just the cost of a drink, which is often reasonably priced compared to tourist-focused bars. You can spend hours soaking in the atmosphere without feeling pressured to constantly buy more. Reddit

To maximize your budget, focus on enjoying the ambiance and perhaps a single drink or a shared snack like bitterballen. Avoid ordering multiple rounds of expensive cocktails. Many brown cafes also offer a more authentic and less tourist-inflated price point for their beverages. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Unique Vibe of Amsterdam Brown Cafes

Amsterdam's 'brown cafes' (bruin cafés) are traditional pubs, named for their dark, wood-paneled interiors that often appear stained brown over time. They offer a stark contrast to the city's more modern bars and coffee shops, providing a cozy, intimate, and distinctly local experience. These establishments are characterized by their relaxed atmosphere, where locals and tourists alike can unwind over a beer or coffee. The decor is typically unpretentious, featuring worn furniture, historical photos, and a general sense of lived-in comfort. It's a place to escape the hustle and bustle and soak in authentic Dutch pub culture. Reddit

Hill Street Blues exemplifies this unique vibe, taking it a step further with its floor-to-ceiling graffiti and sticker art. This adds a layer of vibrant, urban energy to the traditional brown cafe setting. While some patrons might find the decor overwhelming, many appreciate it as a distinctive feature that sets it apart. The cafe's description as a 'ruin bar on steroids' captures this eclectic blend of old-school pub charm and modern artistic expression. TikTok+1

Historically, brown cafes were also known for being smoke-friendly. However, recent Dutch legislation has significantly impacted this aspect. Many popular spots, including Hill Street Blues, are no longer permitted to allow cannabis smoking indoors. This is a crucial point for visitors to be aware of, as it changes the traditional experience for some. Always check current regulations or signage upon arrival. Reddit

Navigating Smoking Regulations

The landscape of smoking in Amsterdam's hospitality venues has undergone significant changes. A recent law prohibits smoking cannabis in bars and pubs, a move that has impacted many establishments that were once known for their relaxed smoking policies. This includes popular spots like Hill Street Blues, which was previously a favored location for patrons to enjoy a smoke with their drinks. Reddit

This new regulation means that while the 'smoke friendly' signage might still be present, it often applies only to tobacco or is no longer accurate for cannabis. Visitors planning to smoke cannabis should be aware that they may need to find designated outdoor smoking areas or other specific venues that still permit it. It's advisable to confirm the current policy directly with the cafe or look for updated information. Reddit

For those who prefer to avoid the smell of cannabis, many brown cafes, including Hill Street Blues, now offer non-smoking sections. This ensures that everyone can enjoy the cafe's atmosphere comfortably. The key is to be informed about the evolving regulations and to communicate with staff if you have any questions. Reddit