Café Leentje is a lively “light-brown” café and party bar at Thorbeckeplein 3, just off Rembrandtplein in central Amsterdam. It opened in June 2021 and pours Amsterdam craft beers on tap. It’s open late: the café lists hours of 16:00 until 03:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday, until 04:00 on Thursday and until 05:00 on Friday and Saturday.
Sunday and Monday are by request. Come for an early drink on the terrace or a late night of Dutch sing-alongs. It is not the place for a quiet, old-fashioned brown café evening.
Café Leentje at a glance
| Address | Thorbeckeplein 3, 1017 CS Amsterdam |
| Area | Rembrandtplein, city centre |
| Type | “Light-brown” café and party bar with a shared terrace |
| Opened | June 2021 |
| Drinks | Amsterdam speciaalbier (craft beer) on tap, plus the usual bar staples and shots |
| Food | Bar snacks (bittergarnituur, such as bitterballen) and pizza |
| Capacity | About 200 people |
| Contact | 020 775 18 50 · [email protected] · cafeleentje.nl |
Café Leentje opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | By request |
| Tuesday | 16:00–03:00 |
| Wednesday | 16:00–03:00 |
| Thursday | 16:00–04:00 |
| Friday | 16:00–05:00 |
| Saturday | 16:00–05:00 |
| Sunday | By request |
Hours as published on the café’s website. Holidays and events can change them, so check the café’s site or Instagram before a special trip.
Leentje doesn’t open in the morning, so it won’t work as a breakfast or coffee stop. The earliest you can get in is 16:00, which is also the best time to grab a terrace table before the evening crowd shows up.
What to expect inside
The room follows the brown café style, with a dark-brown interior and the rustic hanging lamps the bar is known for. The walls are covered in Dutch records, some of them a tribute to Ajax. Earlier in the evening you can talk with the bar staff or sit outside on the large terrace. Later, the café says, the music gets louder, the lights change colour and the lamps start to swing as the place turns into a party.
The playlist is mostly Dutch: meezingers (sing-along classics) mixed with current pop hits and party anthems. Leentje even has its own song. Former bartender Louis Zwaan wrote “Nog eentje bij Leentje!” (“One more at Leentje!”), and the café says it plays the track every night. The same phrase is the bar’s motto.
On the drinks side, the café highlights its selection of Amsterdam craft beers on tap. For food, expect snacks to go with your beer, such as bitterballen, rather than a proper meal. The café’s party page also lists karaoke, games, beer pong and pub quizzes, so check the café’s agenda to see what’s on the night you visit.
Is Café Leentje a traditional brown café?
Not quite. Leentje describes itself as having the character of an old brown café combined with a modern freshness. Het Parool called it a “lichtbruin café” (light-brown café), and the bar adopted the label. It opened in 2021, so it has no long history behind it. If you want a centuries-old interior and a quiet evening, try a traditional brown café such as Bruincafé ‘t Centrum on nearby Rembrandtplein. Leentje suits people who want brown café looks with a much busier night out.
Who Café Leentje suits
- Groups of friends or colleagues looking for an after-work drink on the terrace, which the café keeps open late in both summer and winter.
- Students and clubs. Study associations, sports clubs and student societies already hold regular borrels (drinks nights) here, and the café offers group rates.
- Anyone looking for a late night with Dutch sing-alongs, especially from Thursday to Saturday, when the bar stays open until 04:00 or 05:00.
- Visitors who want a drink after a film or show at one of the nearby cinemas and theatres. The café specifically mentions after-cinema drinks.
It’s a poor fit if you want a quiet conversation late at night, a full dinner or a morning coffee.
Parties and group bookings
Leentje takes groups of anywhere from 5 to 200 people and says it charges no room hire. For larger events it teams up with De Heeren van Aemstel next door, which brings the combined capacity to about 500. For birthdays, the café’s own favourite spot is the small upstairs bar. To ask about a booking, email [email protected] with your plan and the date, or use the form on the café’s party page.
How to get to Café Leentje
Café Leentje is on Thorbeckeplein, the short square leading off Rembrandtplein. That puts it in the city centre, between the Amstel and the Munt/Kalverstraat shopping area. It is not in the Museum Quarter or at Leidseplein.
- Tram: lines 4 and 14 stop at Rembrandtplein, a short walk away. Tram 14 takes about six minutes from Amsterdam Centraal.
- Metro: Rokin (line 52) and Waterlooplein (lines 51, 53 and 54) are both within walking distance.
- Walking: from Amsterdam Centraal, allow roughly 20 minutes via Damrak, Rokin and the Munt.
- Night buses: on late nights, check the GVB night bus network (N-lines) for your trip home once the trams stop running.
- Bike: use a public bike rack instead of locking up on the terrace or square, and keep in mind you’ll be cycling home late.
Nearby on Amsterdam Local Gems
Make a night of it with our Rembrandtplein neighbourhood guide, which covers the square’s terraces, clubs and nearby theatres. Before the bars fill up, stop by the Rembrandt Monument in the middle of the square. For more ideas, browse all Amsterdam places.
Frequently asked questions
Does Café Leentje have a coat check?
Yes. There are lockers downstairs next to the toilets. Each one holds about three jackets, one winter coat or a backpack. There is also an unattended cloakroom where you can hang your coat at your own risk.
What should I do if I lost something at Café Leentje?
After closing each night, the café photographs the items it finds and posts them on its iLost page, where you can claim yours. For bank cards, ID, AirPods or jewellery, contact the café directly by WhatsApp, Instagram DM or email at [email protected].
Does Café Leentje have security staff?
Yes. The café says security staff are on duty every day it is open. If something is wrong, you can go to them directly or report it at the bar.
How is Café Leentje connected to De Heeren van Aemstel?
De Heeren van Aemstel is Leentje’s larger neighbour at Thorbeckeplein 5. The two share a terrace and work together on big events. De Heeren has more room to dance and hosts live music and DJs at weekends.
