{"id":2783,"date":"2021-02-11T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-11T12:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tiqets-blog-staging.local\/alternative-amsterdam\/"},"modified":"2025-08-22T08:44:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T08:44:13","slug":"alternative-amsterdam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/blog\/alternative-amsterdam\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Alternative Amsterdam","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u2013 This post was written by Peter <\/strong>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was last updated by Camille Steens on February 10, 2021.<\/strong><\/em><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
In the public imagination, Amsterdam is still a hedonist utopia \u2013 a city where beatniks flounce between coffeeshops and brothels, and nothing is forbidden. A picturesque village-town of clogs and cobblestones, with a famously lax drugs policy\u2026 what\u2019s not to like?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

In reality however, a lot of the city is a little more humdrum and conservative. It takes some work to uncover that spirit of liberal opportunity  \u2013 but if you know where to look, there is an alternative Amsterdam out there that won\u2019t disappoint!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From alternative cinemas to squatted political social centres, from hipster havens to a museum about microbes, there are lots of alternatives to the Rijksmuseum to put on your Amsterdam must-see list. This guide to alternative Amsterdam proposes some authentic cinemas and restaurants before sharing a list of the best alternative Amsterdam museums.  You\u2019ll uncover some of the city’s best kept secrets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternative Amsterdam by Hop-on Hop-off <\/a>Bus<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The suggestion of a common tourist activity \u2013 the Hop-on-Hop off Tour Bus \u2013 may seem to clash with the idea of the authentic Amsterdam experience, but guess again. We\u2019ve sneakily compiled an\u00a0 \u2018Alternative Amsterdam guide\u2019 that is reachable via the Hop-on Hop-off Tour Bus<\/a>. Get ready for tourism with an \u2018authentic\u2019 twist \u2013 turns out you can <\/em>have your cake and eat it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

K<\/b>riterion<\/strong>: Alternative Amsterdam for art-house movie fans<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"The<\/a>
The Kriterion bar – reliably reasonably priced<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Your bus starts its circuit in the East, so escape its scarlet embrace as quickly as possible, and make a beeline for this offbeat cinema. Kriterion is managed and staffed entirely by students, which means two things: it retains a reliably counter-culture vibe, and the beer is cheap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re catching the latest art-house movie, or nursing a coffee over a battered copy of Nausea<\/em>, it\u2019s a primo hipster-hangout you can\u2019t afford to miss on your search for alternative Amsterdam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe\u2019s Garage<\/strong>: An autonomous squatted political social center<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"The<\/a>
So much more than a garage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Finish that last drag of your Gauloises and jump on the next bus. One stop later, and you\u2019ll be within walking distance of Joe\u2019s Garage, a one-stop-shop for all things alternative. Hosted in a garage owned by a man named Joe (see what they did there?), JG is run like a community centre, with regular cultural activities and classes \u2013 the proceeds of which are reinvested in this non-profit collective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might catch an impromptu movie night, rousing political speech, or even be offered a free vegan meal. Whatever your experience, you\u2019ll walk out entertained and informed\u2026 and maybe a little more radicalised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Butcher\u2019s Tears<\/strong>: Beers in the abattoir<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Man<\/a>
Drink up, there’s always more to try<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Your scarlett carriage awaits, and so do some of Amsterdam\u2019s tastiest beers. Tucked just behind Vondelpark is this unorthodox microbrewery, styled as a retro abattoir. Despite the name and decor, vegetarians have nothing to worry about; the only thing these \u2018butchers\u2019 have to sell is delicious, and lethally-strong, beer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impressively-bearded staff will be only-too-glad to recommend you something you\u2019ll enjoy, but go easy \u2013 the beers range from 6-14%ABV, and it\u2019s very easy to get more than a bit tipsy before 5pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OT301<\/strong>: A formerly vacant building gets the Cinderella treatment and becomes\u2026 a social centre and vegan restaurant<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Crowd<\/a>
It’s not all vegan food…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Suitably refreshed, you can exit Vondelpark on its west side and stroll up the Overtoom, one of Amsterdam\u2019s most famous streets. Your next stop is easy to find, as it\u2019s named after its own address \u2013 number 301. Everything else about this venue is much less straightforward: it\u2019s variously a concert hall, art gallery, cinema, studio space, restaurant (all-vegan, naturally) and nightclub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s so much to do in this formerly vacant building that it\u2019s worth a repeat visit. Since the start, it\u2019s been run by a committee dedicated to supporting culture without corporate interests \u2013 looks like ethical consumption is<\/em> possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NDSM<\/strong><\/span>: Alternative Amsterdam meets hipster haven<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Colourful
STRAAT Museum of Street Art<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As your bus whisks you back into the comforting enclave of Centraal Station, the circle is almost complete. But the city doesn\u2019t stop there! Before you call it quits, jump on the (free) ferry behind the station and enjoy the brisk ride over to Amsterdam Noord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There you\u2019ll find Amsterdam\u2019s former shipping yard, now transformed into an urban paradise for creative types and entrepreneurs. The gargantuan disused warehouses serve as studio spaces for artists and designers, and the surrounding areas host festivals, exhibitions and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the outside of one of those warehouses you\u2019ll find a massive street art painting of Anne Frank. Head inside that one to find one of Amsterdam\u2019s newest and most exciting museums, the STRAAT museum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prepare to be amazed not only by the size of the warehouse and the number of works on display, but also by the explosion of colours and visual experiences that greet you as you step inside. Most of the art works are as big as walls and they\u2019re an eclectic mix of styles. Displaying more than 150 artworks by 130+ artists, this museum is bound to turn street-art sceptics into street-art appreciators. STRAAT museum showcases an alternative Amsterdam you won\u2019t find on the Museumplein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The museum route around alternative Amsterdam<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Inspired by your visit to STRAAT to look for more alternative Amsterdam museums? While you could spend hours in Amsterdam\u2019s more famous museums like the Van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum (and it\u2019s most definitely worth doing so), there are plenty of alternative fish in the sea, too. Amsterdam has a rich history and culture and it\u2019s very much worth treading off the beaten path to find it. These alternative museums offer some fresh perspectives on the city and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Fashion for Good Museum: the world\u2019s first museum of sustainable fashion innovation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The global fashion industry contributes massively to pollution, waste and human rights abuses. Around 60% of all clothing ends up in a landfill or is incinerated within one year after its production. Within. One. Year\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast fashion practices are inherently wasteful; clothes are not designed to last and consumers are encouraged to buy a new collection of clothes with each changing of seasons. Coupled with extremely low pay and unhealthy working conditions in textile factories, the fashion industry is one of the most harmful industries in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things could <\/em>be different though, and the Fashion for Good Museum explores how. Interactive exhibitions take you through the history of fast fashion and explain how wasteful and unethical most fashion brands are. It then proposes a whole range of solutions and alternatives. With a personalized digital bracelet you can create your own action plan, choosing which actions you will take to become a more conscious consumer. We can all play a part in driving fashion to be more sustainable and ethical but it\u2019s definitely not easy. The Fashion for Good Museum will help you make the right choices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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