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There is a nice way and a more honest way to frame my thoughts about the Amsterdam. The nice way is to say it is an establishment that focuses solely on its beer. And the beer is certainly the area in which the Amsterdam does not disappoint! They have a wide variety of tasty beers and a knowledgeable staff. If only those were the sole factors in choosing a bar...
The more honest version is, this place is an absolute dump that happens to serve good beer. It's located in a bad part of town, where my female friend wasn't comfortable walking to her car after dark. Heck, I'm a big dude, and I was a little worried for my own safety. The interior of the bar is dingy and run down. It reminds me of an underground bar in the back of a warehouse. No real decoration or attempt to make the place visually appealing. It's definitely a hipster-type place, designed for people who must neurotically reject every vestige of mainstream society, such as paint and good architecture. And when I was there, it was packed with hipsters, all hovering over their drinks looking down their noses on everybody else. Just not a fun and friendly clientele.
While the bar's Myspace page shows an interesting selection of food, don't be fooled! The Amsterdam has stopped serving any form of food! I was so hungry, I had to steal an olive when the bartender wasn't looking. Speaking of bartenders, one clearly didn't approve of my failure to wear black and sport facial piercings, and he was pretty rude. He spent a lot of time whining about how he was working a double. He knew the beers, though. The guy who gave him a break was a trendy type too, but he was very friendly and fun, and knew plenty about the beers.
Aside from the beer, the best part of the Amsterdam is the back patio. It is spacious, with some nice trees. The evening I went, the weather was perfect to sit outside, enjoy a beer, smoke a cigar, and have a good conversation. If it weren't for the bar itself and the neighborhood it's in, I would probably hit this place again. As it is, however, I likely won't go back, and I wouldn't recommend it.
Good beer by itself does not a good bar make. Three out of 10.
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