When I moved to Amsterdam, just over a month ago, everybody told me to check out this nearby place… because it was supposed to be magical. Since then I have been to Roest a couple of times, having dinner there again yesterday. And it is true what ‘they’ said: Roest is a very unique location, situated in the East of Amsterdam. It’s a bar, a restaurant, a food market and sometimes even a club, all in one! Roest used to be an old locomotive factory and it fortunately still has that entourage. A bit alternative, a bit hipster, a bit Berlin and a bit of pure Amsterdam. The food — small dishes, served tapas style — is great and they also have a wide variety of beers and cocktails. And let’s not forget the service with a smile. During the summer a city beach is added to the location. I haven’t experienced that yet, but I am very much looking forward to it. Definitely a place you should check out while visiting Amsterdam!
Natalia N.
Tu valoración: 5 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
My absolute favourite kind of bar. Post-industrial, old squad style, reused scraps serve as tables and commodities, old withered armchairs inside, dusty wooden floors, cables and pipes in the open become part of the design… hippie, hipster, or just hip. Either way I liked that style before it was cool: P Haven’t seen the flee market in a next door factory but looking forward to that. Sand beach garden bar with line to jump into canal was very useful in the few hot days of the summer. Sand-less part of garden also filled quite fast. There is a lot of people there but also a lot of space so you retain sense of privacy and space. Perfect spot to chill. The small downside for me was the supermarket type of queue at the bar. I can only guess the evenings are so crowded this is the only way to maintain order.
Mette H.
Tu valoración: 5 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I love the setting of this bar! There is a nice inside area and a bonfire outside which makes it nice to sit outside as well:) i was there in the evening, but I think this is a great spot during the day as well.
Romina M.
Tu valoración: 4 Frankfurt am Main, Hessen
Tolle Bar, etwas ab vom Schuss und somit auch nicht touristisch. Die gemischte Inneneinrichtung aus rustikaler Lagerhalle und alten Chesterfield Sofas macht das ganze sehr gemütlich. Getränke sind gut und abends legen hier auch DJ ‘s auf, sodass die riesige Halle schnell gefüllt ist.
Miss Ally A.
Tu valoración: 4 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I love this place. I usually go when there’s the hippie market next door. And, I usually end up having drinks outside, doing a little dance, sitting near the fire. It’s such a cool vibe. An old building and mismatched seating and strange décor and perfect for my taste. The vibe is young and fresh and cool. It’s a great spot to have a hang, have a party or take it easy and soak everything in. In the summer it’s off the chain. :)
Devi G.
Tu valoración: 2 Antwerp, Belgium
The place is great, looks really cool and is a nice hangout spot. But the parties there have always been very disappointing. The place according the me is highly overrated.
Manuela H.
Tu valoración: 5 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This is such a great place to go, not only during Summer(yes, I know, Summer is of course the best season to go there but not the only one), but also during other seasons. There is a sort of beach(I think they call it urban beach), so you can sit outside and enjoy the Sun. You can also see a beautiful sunset and then just hang out around the fire they normally make in the evenings. Inside the bar they have a somewaht funky style. You can sit at the couches or around the other tables. I’ve been here quite a few times already with some friends and will for sure be back. You should try it as well :-).
Gianguido G.
Tu valoración: 4 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Nice sunny afternoon. Perfect place to chill with a cold beer and some snacks. If you want to, there is a wide artificial sandy beach facing the canal where you can lounge. It is all self service. In the bar drinks and by the roach coach the food. Burgers, patatas bravas and most of the usual bar food. All the surrounding buildings and also the bar are part of a dismiss factory/docks complex. The look and feel is nice post industrial decadence. Can be crowded
Debbie h.
Tu valoración: 5 Chicago, IL
Great dockside bar, urban beach and music venue. Quite a find off the beaten path and away from tourists. We spent the afternoon there and loved it. The kitchen in the bus has plenty of tasty god offerings, but it is mainly a place to chill, enjoy some drinks and listen to music. It is also family friendly and there were kids swimming and jumping from a rope over the water.
Christina H.
Tu valoración: 4 Frankfurt, Germany
We went there to a Hippie Market /Event and really enjoyed the cool location. The location is an old factory building, so it has a very modern, industrial look. There is a bar in one of the buildings, with good food and drinks. In one building is an exhibition and there is a beach and bar close to the canal, where you can sit, drink, relax and enjoy the summer. Overall it’s a very cool atmosphere, with lots of local people and only few tourists.
Sam L.
Tu valoración: 4 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
It’s an urban beach with swings, sand and stuff to play on. It’s a place to hang out and chill on sunny days sippin’ drinks, beer, wine or other, and while away the hours. There are artsy booths and lots of hippie types walking around. You can buy some cool stuff here. You can also have a burger, fries or nachos or muchies. Beware though. In my haste and I noticed others had the same problem I forgot to get a napkin. Not good. The burger was tasty though of course messy but even more so without a napkin lol. It’s a little hard to find because it’s in an old industrial area in the eastern docklands of Amsterdam. It’s well off the beaten path so I’d be surprised to see any tourists here. The Amsterdam crowd is pretty eclectic so chances are whoever you are you’ll fit in. They have many events here as well as open mic performances to enjoy. It’s a cool place to hang out among cool people.
Alli K.
Tu valoración: 4 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
if the sun comes out in amsterdam this is a good option to chill out at. they only sell snacks and pretty much anything you’d want to drink except for hard liquor(i believe). we grabbed a bag of tortilla chips, which were really good. a brand i’ve never seen in the grocery stores, hummus and drinks. there was also a woman doing chair massages for a very reasonable price and she looked like she could dig in. yes please!!! fingers crossed you can find one of their lounge chairs. last time i was here i sunbathed for a good hour and rode away on my bike feeling like jelly with all that good vitamin D in my body. it’s a bit tricky to find but with google maps you’ll get there no prob.
Billy D.
Tu valoración: 5 Madison, WI
If you’re reading this — you’re wasting your time. Look no further, it’s the best place to go in Amsterdam when there’s a crack of sunlight. What more could you ask for than an urban beach that with a convenience-store type market to pickup things from crates of beer to hummus to chips and salsa. And if it rains, the inside is a pretty decent place to hang out. Get it.
Hendrawanto U.
Tu valoración: 5 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Feels like Berlin over here ! Great place with a ’ free to not do what they tell us ’ attitude. Modern flower power situations. The owners are in my opinion one of the most important couples in Amsterdam when it comes to adding culture in a not too commercial way to a city. Events, city beach, exhibitions, etc. It can all be done and found here !
Varia M.
Tu valoración: 5 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Aaaahhh, Roest… I could sing its praises forever(and I do). This«urban beach”/bar/hippie hangout is within city limits, which is freaking amazing on a day that’s really warm but you just don’t feel like trekking out to one of the further-away«Amsterdam beaches». Actually, it doesn’t even have to be sunny: this place is amazing summer or winter, day or night(thanks to the always-going bonfire). If you don’t want to hang out on the beach you can sit inside, in an über-relaxed, surfer-shack atmosphere. The music is always quiet enough to have a conversation, but not so quiet that you can’t dance(yes, there’s a dance floor on the other side of the huge lounging area). Cheap drinks, and during the day they also serve a lot of delicious-looking food(which obviously tends to be veg*n, gluten-free, locally sourced, etc). Basically this is the urban hippie paradise of Amsterdam. Love love love this place!
Kristine P.
Tu valoración: 4 Syracuse, NY
If your looking for a relaxed place to go and hang out with locals, Roest is the place. There is a large bar inside with plenty of space around to stand and chat or dance. I went here on a Saturday night and there were so many people they had to limit the number of people going inside. Outside there are plenty of picnic tables available to casually sit and drink beers. Since it was cold out, there was a fireplace set up right in front. The only problem is that its a little out of the way from other bars so if you’re looking to bar hop at all or find a new scene your going to have to get back on your bike and head elsewhere.
Thomas R.
Tu valoración: 4 Haarlemmerbuurt, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
One of the few places outside of Brooklyn where you’re likely to see a handlebar mustache. Get your hair cut, launch a startup, eat eggs cooked in a bus. It’s just another Sunday at Roest.
Kim V.
Tu valoración: 4 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Roest is the place to be in the neighbourhood. Especially in the summer this is an awesome hang-out because there is an urban beach and you can sit outside and relax. There are many cool events at this place like creative markets, vintage markets, bands playing, brunches, pirate cinema, all kinds of parties and weekly dance nights. Really fun. The interior at the café/bar is also really cool; old, vintage and creative(there is always artwork in the café, different ones every month to support young and local artists). The crowd is creative, hipster but this place in fun for everyone to check out sometime.
Jason D.
Tu valoración: 4 Toronto, Canada
Looking for a cool, out-of-the-way, show-your-visitors-what-a-local-you-are, kind of place during summer? Roest probably fits the bill. Truly tucked away behind some industrial buildings, it is a solid place to chill and have a beer by the water as you soak in some Amsterdam sun(while you can anyway). Lots of picnic tables and loung-y spots on the man-made beach for you and your crew. Or you can try to find the hammock or get a game of beach volleyball going. Beer is cheap, sun is out, and on a Friday night the little building beside the man-made beach turns into a little disco. Or if its not your thing, stay outside, drink, talk, and laugh the night away.
L V.
Tu valoración: 4 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Nice, laidback. No thrills you get what you see. Beer is inexpensive, drinks are not well mixed. edit: ok I had to change my mind and bump it up to four stars. You don’t go there for the drinks. You go there for the cheap beer, and chillaxing.