Excalibur Café is a metal and rock bar in Amsterdam’s Red Light District at Oudezijds Achterburgwal 48, decorated with swords, suits of armour and motorcycle memorabilia. It is open seven days a week from 11:00 until at least 01:00, with later closing on Friday and Saturday. Despite the name, it is not a coffeeshop and not a restaurant.
Description
Excalibur sits on Oudezijds Achterburgwal, one of the two canals that run through De Wallen in Amsterdam’s oldest quarter. The bar looks onto the main thoroughfare of the district, so the window seats double as some of the best people-watching in the city centre. The building is narrow and dark-panelled, and the ground floor fills up fast on weekend nights.
The theme is King Arthur crossed with motorcycles and loud guitars. Armour, swords, bike parts and classic heavy metal artwork cover the walls, and the music policy runs to rock and metal played at volume rather than background playlists. Regulars describe it as the largest and busiest metal pub in Amsterdam.
Two points confuse first-time visitors. The word “café” in Dutch usage means a bar, not a coffee house, and the venue states directly that it is neither a restaurant nor a cannabis coffeeshop. Some directory listings still file it under coffeeshops because smoking is tolerated inside; treat those listings with caution and check current house rules at the door.
Key features
- Rock and metal bar with an Arthurian and biker theme, including armour and swords as decor
- Pool tables and televisions on the top floor
- Ground-floor windows facing the busiest stretch of Oudezijds Achterburgwal
- Merchandise sold by email order rather than through an online shop, at [email protected]
- Open every day of the week, including late on Friday and Saturday
- Rated 4.5 out of 5 across roughly 350 Tripadvisor reviews, ranked around #299 of more than 4,200 Amsterdam venues
Opening hours and contact
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Oudezijds Achterburgwal 48, 1012 DP Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Sunday to Thursday | 11:00 to 01:00 |
| Friday and Saturday | From 10:30, closing at 02:00 with the door shut at 01:00 per the venue’s own site; several third-party listings show 03:00 |
| Phone | +31 (0)6 11 92 87 93 (venue site); +31 20 626 8353 also listed on map services |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | excaliburcafe.nl |
| Type | Metal and rock bar, not a restaurant or cannabis coffeeshop |
Best time to visit
For a quiet drink and a proper look at the decor, arrive in the early afternoon shortly after opening at 11:00. The Red Light District is calm at that hour, the windows are the best seats in the house, and you can get to the pool tables upstairs without waiting.
Friday and Saturday nights are when the bar is at full volume and full capacity. Note the door policy on the venue’s own site: even with a 02:00 closing time, the door is shut at 01:00, so arriving after midnight is a gamble. Weeknights after roughly 22:00 give you the atmosphere without the crush.
If you want live music or a themed night, check the bar’s own channels first. Programming is not published on a fixed public schedule, so the Instagram and Facebook accounts are the reliable source rather than travel directories.
How to get there
Excalibur is a straightforward walk from Amsterdam Centraal, roughly 10 minutes heading south into the old centre. From the station, follow the signs towards Nieuwmarkt or the Dam and pick up Oudezijds Achterburgwal, then continue until number 48.
- Metro: Nieuwmarkt station is about 300 metres away
- Tram: the Dam stop is about 400 metres away
- On foot from Centraal: about 10 to 15 minutes
- By bike: park in a rack rather than against a bridge railing, since De Wallen is heavily enforced
The canal-side lanes are narrow and crowded in the evening, and cycling through De Wallen at peak hours is slow going. Walking is usually faster than any alternative once you are inside the ring of canals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Excalibur Café a coffeeshop?
No. The venue states it is a metal and rock bar, not a cannabis coffeeshop and not a restaurant, even though some directories still list it under coffeeshops.
Where is Excalibur Café located?
At Oudezijds Achterburgwal 48, 1012 DP Amsterdam, on the main canal through the Red Light District in Amsterdam Centrum.
What are the opening hours?
Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 to 01:00. On Friday and Saturday the bar opens at 10:30 and closes at 02:00, with the door closed at 01:00 according to the venue. Some listings show a 03:00 close, so call ahead for late visits.
What kind of music is played?
Rock and heavy metal. The decor follows the same theme, mixing Arthurian armour and swords with motorcycle and metal memorabilia.
Is there anything to do besides drinking?
Yes. There are pool tables and televisions on the top floor, and the ground-floor windows look onto the busiest stretch of the district.
