Excalibur Café — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Everytime I come to Amsterdam, I make sure I that I visit Excalibur, it's an awesome place and I'm always made to feel welcome. I was recently travelled with two of my Kiwi mates, all the way from the other side of the world to Amsterdam, and I decided to show them the best bar in the Red Light district. Once again, I was not disappointed, the atmosphere, the memorabilia, and an awesome barman who made us feel very welcome. It was good to be back, it always is at this place. We stayed for a couple of hours, and had a really good time, the music was great, the beer delicious, the shots were generous, and the barman kept us enthralled with tales and information about Amsterdam that only a local would know. Once again, the Excalibur delivered. There was then a shift change and the barman bid us farewell, and an Australian lady took over tending the bar. Her demeanour from the start was very negative. Any attempt to engage with her was met with rudeness, and she displayed an attitude that she didn't really want to be there. When she heard our Australian and Kiwi accents, she then told us that she wasn't in the mood for our shit. She made us feel that unwelcome, that we eventually left. We showed respect to the venue and to the staff working there, as deserved, but this was not returned by this person, who displayed a terrible attitude towards her customers. It was very disappointing, and was in stark contrast to the welcome we had received prior to the shift change. I will continue to support the Excalibur whenever I make the long trek to the Netherlands, her poor behaviour is not the norm of this establishment, I know this from my previous visits, but I hope that no one else will have to suffer the same unprofessional treatment we did because she was...

Excalibur is more than just another Coffee Shop or just another Bar.... It's a small experience in itself.

Located in the heart of Amsterdam's Red Light District, this venue is as original as it is authentic to its nature: rough around the edges, with a rocker's soul at heart. From decor to the souls working behind the bar, Excalibur nails every aspect of you time there. The great thing about Excalibur is you can show up with a group, or by yourself, and leave having a great time, as the music blasting through the venue will set your soul on fire, and your ears wanting to light a cigarette after your time there.

Prices are of typical Amsterdam nature, but I (in my personal opinion) think it's still reasonable and worth it.

Over the years, when I find myself in Amsterdam, I do mainly two things first: buy Frites, and head over to Excalibur for a beer.

Lastly, I will end this review with a personal note: every time you leave this venue, you leave with a story, wisdom or a strange bit of trivia: I once met a Scotsman named Dougie, whom informed me (after a great discussion) that, believe it or not, there is a thing called the Celtic Folk Mafia. You have to dress the part and speak Gaelic to join. Without that, you might as well put the instrument, Gaelic and/or...

The good: The pool tables are upstairs and the tables are nice and have enough space for a real game of pool. 2 euro a game. They seem to be the only bar I have been to that has cranberry juice for my go-to vodka-cran. People seemed nice and respectful and I was able to get a couple games in without waiting a ton. There are bathrooms on the second floor as well. The bad: Each time you have to go to the bathroom you have to go down steep stairs to get the key if you are a lady. (I am told this is to prevent men from destroying it which I think every woman can appreciate) Also, the Bar is in the red light district so prepare to be bothered by Liverpool...