The Waterhole is a long-running live-music bar at Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 49, a short walk from Leidseplein, with bands or jam sessions every night, three pool tables, and one of Amsterdam’s longest happy hours. It opens at 12:00 daily and closes at 03:00 on Sunday to Thursday and 04:00 on Friday and Saturday, with music usually starting around 20:30.
Practical information at a glance
| Address | Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 49, 1017 PW Amsterdam (Leidseplein, Centrum) |
|---|---|
| Phone | +31 20 620 89 04 |
| Website | waterhole.nl |
| Sunday–Thursday | 12:00–03:00 |
| Friday–Saturday | 12:00–04:00 |
| Happy hour | Daily, 12:00–21:00 |
| Live music | Every night, typically from 20:30 |
| Games | Pool tables, plus casual games such as chess and darts at quieter times |
What a night here actually looks like
The rhythm of the week matters more than the exact line-up. Early in the week the bar leans on open jam sessions, where house musicians host and anyone competent enough can sit in. From Thursday to Saturday the format shifts to two booked acts per night, usually an acoustic or lighter set around 20:30 followed by a louder full-band slot from about 23:00 that runs past 02:00.
- Sunday to Wednesday: open jam nights and rotating hosts, often starting around 20:30 and running to roughly 01:30.
- Thursday to Saturday: two acts per night, generally an earlier support-style set and a late headline set.
- Genres: pop, rock, blues, funk, acoustic, and occasional tribute or covers acts rather than a single fixed style.
- Volume: the room is built for amplified music, so conversation gets harder once the late set begins.
Because the programme changes weekly, treat any published schedule, including this one, as a pattern rather than a promise. Check the official gig calendar on the day you plan to visit for the current performers and set times.
Pool, happy hour, and daytime use
The Waterhole functions as two different venues depending on when you arrive. Between opening at noon and the first set, it works as a straightforward pool bar: tables are free to approach on a first-come basis, the terrace is usable in good weather, and the happy hour covers the entire afternoon. After the music starts, the pool area becomes a secondary space alongside a busy stage room.
- Pool: three tables, best claimed in the afternoon or early evening before the room fills.
- Happy hour: nine hours daily, from opening until 21:00, which the bar promotes as the longest in the city.
- Pricing: the bar has historically advertised discounted pints during happy hour and a small cover charge after 21:00 on some nights. Confirm current prices at the door, since these figures are not always updated online.
- Dress and crowd: casual, with a mix of Amsterdam regulars, expats, and visitors from the Leidseplein area.
Getting there and nearby alternatives
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat runs parallel to the main Leidseplein strip, so the bar is roughly a two-minute walk from the square and its tram stops served by multiple city lines. If The Waterhole is at capacity or the night’s genre is not what you want, the surrounding streets hold several other late-opening music bars and clubs within the same block, which makes it easy to move on without a long walk.
Frequently asked questions
What time does live music start at The Waterhole?
Sets usually begin around 20:30, with a second act from about 23:00 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Check the official gig calendar for the exact times on your date.
Is there an entrance fee?
Entry has historically been free before 21:00, with a small cover charge on some later nights. Confirm the current policy at the door, as it varies by programme.
Can you play pool at The Waterhole?
Yes. The bar has three pool tables, and they are easiest to get in the afternoon or early evening before the live music crowd arrives.
When is happy hour at The Waterhole?
Happy hour runs daily from 12:00 until 21:00, which the venue promotes as the longest happy hour in Amsterdam.
Why do other websites list different opening hours?
Several directories still show 14:00 or 12:30 openings. The Waterhole’s own website states it opens at 12:00 every day, so treat the official site as the authoritative source.
