Amsterdam Oost mixes waterfront clubs, rooftop bars and a diverse local scene. My honest guide to going out in the east, from Panama to the Dappermarkt. See NightFind.
The anchor of a big night in Oost is Panama, a club set inside a century old power station right on the IJ waterfront. The wide floor pulls a mature, music focused crowd for house and techno, and international names drop in all the time. During ADE the whole docklands stretch turns into one of the festival's mainstays. I love arriving here on a warm night when the water is right outside and the bass is already rolling.
Oost also does the slow, high up kind of evening really well. The rooftop above the Volkshotel has become a fixture, the sort of place where a late afternoon drink quietly turns into a DJ set and a dance floor without you noticing. This is my move when I want to ease into the night rather than throw myself at it, watching the sun go down over the east before the music picks up.
Away from the water, the streets around the Dappermarkt and Javastraat give you the everyday side of Oost. By day it is one of the city's best markets, and by night the same blocks fill with small bars, natural wine spots and kitchens from every corner of the world. It is the least touristy nightlife in Amsterdam, and that is exactly why I keep going back. You end up talking to locals instead of queuing behind stag parties.
Oost is spread out, so I pick a lane and stick to it. Either the water, which means dinner near the docks and then Panama, or the streets, which means bar hopping around Javastraat and the Dappermarkt. Trams and bikes cover the district easily, and because it is residential you get home without the centre's crowds. Weeknights here are calmer and better for conversation, weekends bring the club energy.
Amsterdam Oost rewards anyone willing to leave the obvious squares behind. It is diverse, it is relaxed, and it has a waterfront club that can go toe to toe with anywhere in the city. Browse every bar and club in Amsterdam Oost on NightFind, find the vibe that fits your night, and see the side of the city most visitors miss.
