A DJ's Guide To Hanging Out In Amsterdam

ADE is the world's biggest dance music conference/networking event/party-in-disguise.

For five days Amsterdam will be awash with people who consider themselves part of the dance music community. Labels will showcase their most exciting acts, artists will leave the decks to talk about their work in a public forum, and everyone will be blagging their way around the city. Ministry of Sound will be there, in all of our various guises. 

As ADE virgins ourselves, we're lucky enough to have found someone who knows the city to draft us out a few notes on where not to miss during the five day whirlwind. A resident at the city's much loved and equally missed Trouw, Patrice Baumel lives in the city with his wife, photographer Ramona Deckers.

Releasing "techno music for grown-ups" on labels like Kompakt and My Favourite Robot, he dug deep for us on his favourite spots in Amsterdam. 

Patrice says:

"Amsterdam is the sort of place where a bit of insider knowledge goes a long way. Since I want you to eat and drink well and maximise your ADE downtime in between parties and meetings to the fullest, I sat down with my wife Ramona to compile a hot list of our favourite spots in town."

 

Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch

Staring at Jacob,  Eerste Contstantijn Huygensstraat 60, Oud West.

The place that will take care of your hangover. It's a super cosy spot, especially on one of those infamous grey and rainy days. They serve big, hearty, fried up, yummy brunches and killer Bloody Mary's. One of the few places in Amsterdam that has Yorkshire Pudding on the menu.

 

Bar Bukowski, Oosterpark 10, Oost.

Inspired by the legendary American writer and his love for women, booze, and literature. This place takes you back in time, the interior design is brilliant. It's a busy watering hole for the locals and they serve breakfast all day. Morning is my favourite time to go, a quiet haven to read the morning paper over a scone and some coffee, then stick around longer than planned and slowly ease into your first cocktail of the day. Good sandwiches, too.

 

CT Coffee and Coconuts, Ceintuurbaan 282-284, De Pijp.

Beautiful and highly popular location with a modern, healthy menu for all times of the day. They even serve fresh coconuts to replenish yourself after a wild night of drinking. Fast WiFi too!

 

De Foodhallen, Bellamyplein 51, Oud West.

A big old warehouse with lots of stalls serving streetfood, beers, cocktails more. There's even a cinema. A fun place! 

 

Dinner

Cafe Restaurant Amsterdam, Watertorenplein 6, West

Located in a beautiful 19th Century factory building, this is one of those places that does everything right. Our favourite dish is the big seafood platter for two, which is a tower of lobster, crab and other shellfish. Along with a bottle of bubbles (I'd recommend the Cremant) you have a spectacular dinner for two without breaking the bank. Best part is they serve it all day long, so come early to avoid the crowds.

 

Hotel de Goudfazant, Aambeeldstraat 10, Noord

Located in the up-and-coming northern part of town, this beautiful warehouse location is the perfect place to eat with a group of people, play some table tennis in between courses and marvel at the vintage cars parked in the backroom. Our go-to place when the oyster craving strikes. Reserve a table in advance. 

 

Fuo Fow Ramen, Elandsgracht 2a, Centrum

Within walking distance of the ADE headquarters. This is the only place in town that offers proper Japanese style ramen with broth that had time to simmer for long enough to produce that rich flavour. If you are non-vegetarian then the tonkatsu ramen with all the trimmings is the way forward.

 

Scandinavian Embassy, Sarphatipark 34, Zuid

Restaurant/ coffee place run by hip Nordic folk, pregnant with Scandinavian cool. Great coffee and Scandinavian flavours. They opt for healthy and sustainable yet you sure can indulge. They are taking coffee to another level.

 

Record Shops

Rushhour, Spuistraat 98, Centrum. Needs no introduction, the go-to place for underground electronic dance music with an excellent selection of all things Detroit, Chicago or The Hague.

 

Distortion Records, Westerstraat 244, Centrum. A very leftfield selection of obscure electronica, punk and experimental music is sold in this lovely little place. Dig and you shall find. Found some cool rare Autechre and Aphex twin releases here.

 

Concerto, Utrechtsestraat 60, Centrum

A huge collection of new and used vinyl and CD's across all genres known to mankind.

 

Record Mania, Ferdinand Bolstraat 30, De Pijp

Big and diverse second hand collection. I have scored anything from Bowie to Kraftwerk in this place.