King’s Cross is a café, bar and club at Warmoesstraat 95 in central Amsterdam, a five-minute walk from Dam Square and roughly ten minutes on foot from Amsterdam Centraal. It opens at 10:00 every day of the year and closes at 3 AM on weekdays or 4 AM on Friday and Saturday — one of the longer licensing windows among bars in Amsterdam’s Red Light District.
King’s Cross Amsterdam at a glance
| Address | Warmoesstraat 95, 1012 HZ Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Neighbourhood | Centrum — Red Light District |
| Type | Café, bar and club |
| Hours | Sun–Thu 10:00–03:00 · Fri–Sat 10:00–04:00 |
| Open | 7 days a week, year-round |
| Known for | Shisha, cocktails, special beers, late club nights |
| Dress code | Casual |
| Phone | +31 6 25 14 21 57 |
| Official website | kingscrossamsterdam.com |
What kind of place it is
King’s Cross positions itself as three things at once: a daytime café, an evening bar, and a late-night club. That is not marketing vagueness — it is an accurate description of how the same room operates across a single day. It opens at 10:00, putting it in the small group of Amsterdam nightlife venues where you can sit down for a coffee or a late breakfast before the bar hours begin. Review platforms categorize it as serving breakfast and lunch alongside its full drinks operation.
By evening the venue shifts firmly into bar mode, and on weekend nights it runs closest to a club, with music and a crowd that stays until 4 AM. The drinks focus is on shisha, cocktails and special beers. In Dutch bar culture “special beers” is a specific category — it refers to stronger and craft styles served alongside standard pilsner, so expect a broader tap and bottle selection than a basic brown café offers.
Independent review sentiment is moderate. Across roughly 55 Tripadvisor reviews the venue holds about 3.8 out of 5. That is a small sample, so treat it as a directional signal: visitors generally enjoy the atmosphere and music, but the venue does not consistently win on drinks quality alone.
The Warmoesstraat setting
Warmoesstraat is one of Amsterdam’s oldest streets and today runs through the heart of the Red Light District, roughly parallel to Damrak. The setting shapes the experience more than anything on the drinks menu does, so it is worth knowing before you arrive.
- The street is busy and loud most nights, with dense tourist foot traffic particularly from 20:00 onwards.
- Photography rules apply in the surrounding district. Do not photograph sex workers or window displays.
- Amsterdam actively enforces rules on public drinking, noise and street conduct in this area, especially on weekend nights.
- The street is well-lit and heavily trafficked, but standard city-centre awareness applies — keep valuables secure in crowds.
If you want a quiet canal-side brown café or a traditional neighbourhood local, this is the wrong street. If you want somewhere genuinely central, open late, and walkable from almost any city-centre hotel, the location is a clear advantage.
When to visit
The venue’s hours create three meaningfully different experiences. Choosing the wrong one is the most common source of disappointment with a place like this.
Daytime and early evening (10:00–19:00)
The café character dominates from opening through the late afternoon. Seating is accessible, conversation is easy, and the pace is relaxed. It also works well as a stop during a walk through the historic Centrum before the evening crowds build on Warmoesstraat.
Weeknight evenings (Sun–Thu)
Sunday through Thursday the venue closes at 3 AM and runs at lower density than the weekend. This is the best window for the late-night option without weekend-level crowding. Weeknights are also when Amsterdam nightlife is generally easier to navigate across the board.
Friday and Saturday nights
Weekends push hardest toward the club end, closing at 4 AM. Arrive before 22:00 if you want a table or a real conversation; after that, expect standing room, high volume and a party-oriented crowd. The Red Light District setting is also at its most intense on weekend nights.
How to get there
Warmoesstraat 95 sits in one of Amsterdam’s most walkable pockets. For most visitors staying in or near the centre, walking is faster and simpler than any other option.
- From Amsterdam Centraal: 7–10 minutes on foot. Head south down Damrak and then cut across onto Warmoesstraat, which runs parallel.
- From Dam Square: about 5 minutes’ walk northeast. Warmoesstraat runs directly behind the Damrak side of the square.
- By tram: the Dam and Centraal tram stops are both a short walk away and are served by multiple GVB lines.
- By metro: Nieuwmarkt (M52) and Rokin (M52) are both within comfortable walking distance.
- By bike: the surrounding streets are narrow, partly pedestrianised and congested on busy nights. Cycling under the influence is illegal in the Netherlands.
- By taxi or rideshare: vehicle access around Warmoesstraat is restricted; you will likely be dropped on a nearby through-street and walk the last stretch.
Navigation tip: searching “King’s Cross” alone in Google Maps or Apple Maps will return the London railway district. Enter the full address — Warmoesstraat 95, Amsterdam — for correct directions.
Getting home after closing
Because King’s Cross closes at 3 or 4 AM, plan your return route before you go out. Amsterdam’s regular trams, buses and metro lines stop running around midnight to 00:30. After that, the GVB night bus network runs a reduced set of routes roughly every 30 minutes until early morning. Night bus numbers differ from their daytime equivalents, so check your specific route in the GVB journey planner in advance. If you are staying within the Centrum ring, walking back is often the fastest option.
Who King’s Cross Amsterdam suits
- Good fit: groups wanting a central, casual venue that works from afternoon through to a late club night; shisha smokers; travellers who want one base that covers both a pre-dinner drink and a 2 AM session.
- Poor fit: anyone seeking a quiet neighbourhood café, a serious craft-cocktail programme, a family-friendly space, or a venue away from the Red Light District entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is King’s Cross Amsterdam?
King’s Cross is at Warmoesstraat 95, 1012 HZ Amsterdam, in the Centrum district’s Red Light District. It is roughly a five-minute walk from Dam Square and seven to ten minutes on foot from Amsterdam Centraal station.
What are the opening hours of King’s Cross Amsterdam?
The venue opens at 10:00 every day. It closes at 03:00 Sunday through Thursday and at 04:00 on Friday and Saturday. It operates year-round, though hours may change for private events or public holidays.
Is King’s Cross Amsterdam the same as King’s Cross in London?
No. The two share a name but are entirely unconnected. Searching “King’s Cross” on Google Maps or Apple Maps typically returns the London railway district first. Use the full address — Warmoesstraat 95, Amsterdam — to get accurate directions.
What is the dress code at King’s Cross Amsterdam?
The venue is casual. There is no formal dress requirement, though weekend club nights tend to attract a more dressed-up crowd than weekday afternoons.
How do I get home from King’s Cross Amsterdam after it closes?
Regular GVB trams, buses and the metro stop running around midnight to 00:30. After that, GVB night buses cover a reduced network roughly every 30 minutes. If you are staying in the city centre, walking is often the fastest option.
Does King’s Cross Amsterdam serve food?
The venue is categorised on review platforms as serving breakfast and lunch in addition to its bar menu. Confirm current food availability directly with the venue before visiting if that is a priority.
