De Sluyswacht in Nieuwmarkt/Lastage

Tourists are clearly not welcome when locals are around. We had a good experience on Thursday: the bar wasn’t crowded, the service was good, and the draft beers were nice. On Friday night, we were treated very differently. We asked for a table and were told to wait. When a table became free, we confirmed with a staff member that it was available and went to take it. At that point, another staff member stopped us and said the table was already taken and that “the ladies” would be using it, seating them instead. This was frustrating, disrespectful, and made us feel deliberately pushed aside. Based on this experience, service here depends on who you are, not on fairness or order.

Lovely place, we had a glass of wine and some food. Everything was delicious! I highly recommend it; the place is super cozy and the outdoor tables overlook the canal. The wines were excellent. We spent a total of €25 for two glasses of wine, some croquettes, and some cheeses, and everything was fantastic!

My wife and I went inside and sat at a table, but no one waited on us. When I went downstairs to speak to a waiter, they were all chatting amongst themselves. They need to pay more attention to their customers.

One of the nicest spots for a beer out of the centre of Centrum. Just by the canal. Service is good, food is fresh. Mostly a locals hangout

Nice place for a snack and a drink

Cool little pub in one of Amsterdam's famously tilted buildings. Relatively affordable pints for the city. Not the most intricate decor on the inside (we were downstairs as the upstairs was full) but also much less packed than many other places. Definitely worth a visit.

Cozy pub with a wide range of beer on tap

We come here every time we are in the city. It's a little more local with the people that are in there. If you're a tourist, as I am, please be a little more respectful here since it's a smaller place and more intimate with more locals.

Very authentic. Excellent coffee. Delicious 🍺 beer. Gorgeous view.

A café-bar nestled in a narrow lock keeper's house; in autumn, you can still enjoy the terrace bordering the Oudeschans to contemplate the barges with snacks and a good selection of draft beers.

Absolutely charming little bar, with canal and street views with attentive staff and dangerously steep stairs to the toilets.

Always nice to be in the Sluyswacht!

staff is terrible. Arrogant / rude / disdainful. It’s a shame because the place is actually cute. We arrived, all happy to have found this place, were told to sit for table service. We sat outside, there were 6 other tables. 2 arrived after us. The waitress came out asked every table what they wanted except us. We tried to get her attention she said 1 second then Left back inside and came back ignoring us again. If you look at the other reviews we’re not the only ones having that experience.

Racial Bias in Service ​My experience was deeply distressing and felt discriminatory. ​After being seated, I waited for 20 minutes. During this time, the waitress systematically took orders from other separate tables that were seated after. I made multiple attempts to get the waitress's attention. She said "wait" then moved on to other tables and never came back. ​Frustrated by the obvious prioritization, I went to the bar to place an order. There were four waitresses behind the bar who all acknowledged me but continued to serve other customers who had just walked up. ​When I finally managed to ask one waitress if she would take my order, she dismissively stated, "We only take orders at your table." I explained that I had been waiting for a significant time, but she completely disregarded my explanation and walked away without offering any assistance or apology. ​The service was not just slow; it was an act of active, targeted neglect and refusal to serve that I can only conclude was based on my race. I felt profoundly unwelcome. This level of indifference and discrimination is unacceptable.

Especially go there if you want to be treated inhumanely❤️ maybe the waiter had a bad day, but deliberately ignoring your customers multiple times is really strange

Very awesome atmosphere and decor. Located in a busy area but wasn't busy in the time we visited. Friendly staff.

Somewhere between the second mojito and the third, some sounds started playing that I didn’t know if were music or if it was the fridge talking. A guy next to me said that “we are all melting ice,” and from then on my drink tasted like radiators. I tried to pay, but the POS asked me “are you sure?” I wasn’t. The bartender winked at me, or maybe he just blinked both. I finally walked out, but I think the place was inside me. I’m still drinking.

For a quick chilled worker's beer, this is the perfect place!

Lovely place. Excellent beer. Outstanding service.

Not as expensive as you'd think! And a wonderful little place to sit and watch boats go by. Expect to wave. Lots.

Really cute spot on the water. We didn’t eat much other than some tasty Bitterballen snacks. Cute little pub inside with some great outside seating too. Less of a tourist feel which is nice.

Did not have food but enjoyed a cup of coffee with Baileys Irish cream. Loved the entire building. So quaint & cute! Great selection of biers on tap.

Great place to have a beer. Such a cute small house with a lot of space around, truly special.

Really nice place to have a drink and bar snacks. It is a little pricey however the service was good and the view was very nice. Would recommend as a place to have a drink or two.

Great spot for casual drinks, friendly staff and beautiful views of the canal

No. Except to look at the water and maybe enjoy a beer.

Our weekend in Amsterdam includes a few hours at De Sluyswacht. Its fantastic location means the surrounding terrace is usually packed.

We've been here several times, and it remains one of the most beautiful spots in Amsterdam. The staff is friendly and helpful.

A great place to sit and have a drink and watch the boats come into the inner city, very close to Rembrandt House

Beautiful building, not so young, which catches the eye with its color, it is right next to a canal (one more) and during a boat tour you can see it from another angle. For people who want to consume, there is a terrace and the place is very pleasant.

Beautifully situated on the water with a nice terrace.

Simply beautiful! A few meters away from the hustle and bustle, it's a great place to relax with an affordable beer.

Excellent food and friendly staff

A very nice choice for a summer afternoon in Amsterdam! De Sluyswacht has a wonderful location next to the canal, with a nice atmosphere to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer. Accompanied by classic Dutch meatballs with the characteristic spicy mustard, it is ideal for a relaxed stop. The prices are quite affordable, around 10–15€ per person, which makes it even more tempting. An authentic and affordable spot to feel a bit of the local everyday life. 🍻🇳🇱

A charming and quaint pub located on the edge of a lock. The place is small, but with plenty of outdoor space, the atmosphere is pleasant, and there's a good selection of quality beers. The staff is friendly and professional.

So lovely! Friendly service and a really nice seating area at the back overlooking the canal. We didn't have any food but it was a beautiful place to sit and have a drink in the sunshine.

Amazing for a pint of beer at the end of the day. Service was excellent and setting amazing with a view on the canals.

We have a B&B right next to this place, and we've been there twice already. Besides the excellent beers and beautiful view, the service is really friendly! I recommend this place!

A charming place in Amsterdam with good service and even better attention.

A wonderful historic spot dating back to 1695, originally built as the house of the sluice gatekeeper in Amsterdam. The building has a charming tilt, adding to its unique character, and it’s perfectly located by the historic canals near Nieuwmarkt, offering beautiful views of the water and bridges. The atmosphere is very relaxing, especially at the outdoor seating area. The coffee was delicious and the waitress was friendly and attentive. A memorable experience worth visiting.

We always enjoy coming here to drink a delicious wine in beautiful surroundings and watch the hustle and bustle on the canals.

Great bar, plenty outdoor seating and stunning views of the canals. Nothing to complain, highly recommend to visit for a drink in the sun

Super well located and pretty setting

A cute little bar/Cafe in a great location near a canal. We enjoyed some beers and wine, alongside some vlammetjes. Excellent service.

Lovely spot with a relaxed vibe. Perfect for a drink after dinner. I highly recommend trying the Aperol Spritz and Goose Island IPA — both were excellent.

Great location in Amsterdam east side with nice view. Good beers

The setting is perfect for snacking and having a drink.

I've been coming here since I was a teenager, well, since I was about 16. Last week I was back again. The interior has barely changed after a half-century absence. What has radically changed? The atmosphere, and that atmosphere is, of course, largely created by the café's patrons. Look, in 1970s Amsterdam, the city was still full of promise; generic individualism hadn't yet "emerged," tourism was scarce, and rolling suitcases were nonexistent—the latter, of course, because back then tourists could still carry their own suitcases... And, when you walked in, everyone glanced curiously at the "newcomer." That's precisely what gave you a sense of connection, of belonging, even if you were only glanced at briefly. All that's gone now: the rolling suitcases are stacked or lined up, their owners are staring at their screens; after all, there's so much interesting stuff to see... And the staff? Well, unfortunately, they too weren't distracted by a new arrival. The only thing that actually felt good there was being back in a place where, as a young person, you once felt so comfortable and at home. People these days have no idea how enjoyable Amsterdam's nightlife and social life once were. That's okay, but I'm still incredibly happy every day that I was there myself. Honestly! ;)

Every time I'm in Amsterdam...I see this little house...it's my personal "magnet." This time, thanks to the fresh breeze, we sat inside... The ambiance and friendly staff complete the experience.

Waitress who pulls a face, doesn't clean the table, brings back a broken glass just for a drink!

Very nice place as seen in pictures and video I uploaded in this post. Beer was delicious as always in Amsterdam, the view is wonderful, lots of fresh air, has many sits and different spots within the restaurant. The staff very helpful and straight forward as it should be all around the world. They don´t ask for tip as it is usual in Netherland, some places do ask for tip and for us Americans it´s uncomfortable to say no, here you won´t deal with that :) You can check the beers and food options in the pictures on this post. Didn´t try the food that´s why I didn´t put stars on it, I believe it should be great as in most Amsterdam Dutch-places.

Servicio repugnante, servidor repugnante. Son muy irrespetuosos. No aceptan pagar aparte (pero el otro camarero dijo que podíamos pagar)

this is a bad place. the staff are really bad. they do not let friends pay separately.

Cute little place to stop at once but limited bar and not very friendly staff. Cool place to see the canals and have a drink but not somewhere to spend alot of time. Now that I have been there i don't need to go back again.

Terraza de tamaño muy agradable con un montón de asientos. La selección de bebidas fue muy buena y se trajeron muy rápido y estaban muy fríos. La ubicación es un poco más alta en los canales y luego desde aquí hay buenas vistas y un gran lugar para pasar un día soleado de verano. Solo puedo recomendarlo.

Great views of the canal from the terrace. Fast and friendly service.

Didn’t try the food but staff, atmosphere, and views are great.

Nice place for a drink by the canal. Old cosy small house with a nice terrace!

The place has really good beer & cocktails Bitterballen is also really nice, would recommend for a quick drink by the canal The staff is really friendly

It’s impossible to miss De Sluyswacht, leaning dramatically to one side like it’s had one too many. Originally a lockkeeper’s house built in 1695, this little black gabled building now stands crooked but proud at the edge of the canal. Its tilt isn't just aesthetic; it’s a real shift caused by centuries of settling on Amsterdam’s soft soil, a common fate for many of the city’s oldest structures. The contrast between the warped charm of this 17th-century survivor and the stark glass buildings beside it only makes it more iconic.

I love this place in Amsterdam... Besides the uniqueness of the small building, the history it oozes, and the unbeatable location, they serve a very good selection of beers... A must-see in Amsterdam.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars Visit here for the terraces and drinks - definite Amsterdam charm! De Sluyswacht is another one of Amsterdam's spectacular canal-side spots! The drink menu is fantastic with great beers on tap and excellent non-alcoholic options. But the real star here are those incredible outdoor terraces - you can choose your view: canal-side in the back, along the side, or facing the city in front. Perfect for people watching on a warm day! The inside maintains all the authentic character of this historic 1695 building, which is pretty amazing to experience. We focused on drinks this visit, but watching other tables dig into the bitterballen and appetizers definitely has us planning a return trip for food! Make sure you are sober for the trip down to the toilets with the steep Dutch stairs! Big shoutout to the friendly waitstaff - genuinely helpful and welcoming (which honestly isn't always a given in Amsterdam). Pro tip: Come early morning or late evening if you want to snag a terrace spot - this place gets packed for good reason! Worth every bit of the wait though. Already planning our next visit! 🍻 #Amsterdam #CanalSide #DeSluyswacht #Terraces

Nice spot with good and quick service

Nice place nice view on the canals service ok

Este bar se ve fabuloso desde fuera. Lo cual es algo bueno, porque no vale la pena entrar. Un miembro del personal fue grosero al borde. Música fuerte que nadie parecía estar disfrutando En el lado positivo, el servicio fue rápido

I love this place. It has very authentic atmosphere and beautiful view. And of course I love beer there

It's a nice cramped bar. The tilted floor is so funny specially when you get dizzy of a beer 😁 The experience of a Dutch beer in Amsterdam is very worthwhile. Check my photos at @fsadeghi_photography on Instagram

Well. Nice location but staff pays little attention to the guests. Trying to order at the bar: "you are not allowed to order at the bar, we will come outside to take your order". Outside we are completely ignored. When we asked the wait staff if we could order, we were told twice that we could order "from my colleague". After 20 minutes, without having a drink, we left to a smaller cafe further on where we were allowed to have a drink. With 4 staff members, you should be able to serve your terrace, right?

Ending a lovely day in Amsterdam on the terrace overlooking the canals in the sun. The sandwich was delicious, thank you very much!

Great pub located in the old lock keeper's house Very nice place great service and great beer properly shouldered Recommended place

Great friendly service and cute spot to chill.

Cozy and delicious bitterballen 😉

De Sluyswacht is a really cool restaurant right on the river. It has great architectural design is that is a very old building and it has a great atmosphere where you can eat outside

The entire time we were there I thought the staff were being rude. Much later, when we were back in the U.S. I realized. They were being that way because we sat indoors and everyone was being sat outside, which was a real nice area. We only sat inside because we were going to just have a fast beer. I am sure the reason staff was being this way...it was the day after King's Day!! I can't even imagine what they all went through on King's Day. I completely understand now! I did have a great conversation with the bartender about her tattoos...something we love. This place has great beer and a view that is outstanding...stop in, but sit outside lol!!

Historical place, well located and beautiful; with affordable prices for Amsterdam; Both the food and the beer are good. It's worth it

The best, the terrace on the canal

Fantastic spot to enjoy a drink and watch the boats go by!

Great experience here with the delicious food and wonderful views. Get a seat out back, right on the canal.

This is my favorite bar in the world. The vibe is just everything I want from a place. Staff was cool, laid back. Views were great. Beer was great.

Great location and outdoor seating for a sunny day. Really cosy, quirky and a nice atmosphere. Will always go here on a sunny day in Amsterdam if I have the time.

The restaurant is located by the water, with a beautiful view. But the glasses of wine were brought unwashed, so we had to wipe them with alcohol wipes. My friend and I were there at 7 pm, it was cold, but the restaurant staff didn’t offer us a blanket. This restaurant has one advantage - a stunning view from the terrace. Everything else, alas, is very bad.

We’ve been there just for a short stop to drink something. Craft beer - very old historical building.

Nice spot. Was a bit crowded but kind of expected. Good vibes and a friendly service. Beer prices are on the higher end but it's a central and touristy spot so not surprising . Don't order the cheese snack plate. We got massive chunks of one sort of cheese. While it was a nice duch cheese, the serving could really be better. And having assorted cheeses would generally work better.

Cozy place and great for drinks and snacks

They had sold Beer to an 11 years old girl. They also hated the tourist, we had to wait 30 minutes to buy a coke. We saw in the bathroom an mouse. It was the worst restaurant/bar ever

Pub with a nice location by the water

Etwas abgelegen aber urgemütlich. Top Service, nett und faire Preise. Nachmittags auch schön in der Sonne auf der Terrasse.

Great coffee and beautiful views of the canals.

There is no more coffee after 3 p.m

It's a nice place where mostly locals hang out, its location and atmosphere are very enjoyable. However, the employees were inadequate in terms of service.

The oldest of the brown cafes, superb and the terrace also has a superb view. You can take a little snack break there!

Beautiful location, beautiful view of the Montelbaanstoren, but very strange that a sticker with “reservation” and time is suddenly placed on your table. Do this in advance and not when guests are already eating and drinking extensively. When we noticed this, we were told that this table had already been served and that another place could be found for us upon request. Very customer unfriendly.

Spent almost 65 euros for 6 beers, 2 x fries and 1 portion of bitterballen and there was not even a smile from the terrace service. A sticker was put up stating that our table had been reserved in an hour, unfortunately nothing was said along the lines of sorry, but if you want, we would be happy to find another spot for you... instead of that, we received a smart response back after we said something about it when we left. Customer friendliness could be improved, especially with such prices. Shame!!

A quaint little old pub with plenty of charm, but unfortunately, the atmosphere was lacking. The bartender seemed uninterested and even a bit rude, making me feel more like an inconvenience than a customer. He noisily stacked trays of glasses right next to me and spent more time chatting with the other staff than acknowledging guests. It was enough to finish my drink and move on in search of a better pub. On the plus side, one of the female staff at least gave me a friendly goodbye as I left. A disappointing experience in what could otherwise be a great spot.

In the historic building of the bar (1695). At night, people from all over the world gather and can see the river bank. Unfortunately, only nuts are provided as toppings in the evening, and there is no other hot food.

Magnificent point of view, good tasting, watch out for the bittenbollen which are a little special in taste and texture

With a beautiful terrace on the water that is hidden behind the building, this is a peaceful spot in the busy city center. Beautiful view of the Schreierstoren and tasty snacks (again their fries), accompanied by a nice beer, available in many varieties here, makes this a nice place to recover from a walk through the city

Maravilloso bar para una bebida y comida de pub con excelentes vistas y un gran servicio. Como alguien con alergia a los frutos secos, no pudieron acomodar los alimentos, sin embargo, apreciamos lo honestos que fueron para que fueran seguros. Ambiente encantador.

To take a break and have a drink or a hot chocolate, it's perfect.

The Hertog Inn opened in 1695 and looks to be the original pumping station for the canal lock gates, if you like old buildings and places it's definitely worth visiting.....