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Single in the season of love? Our writers name the best Singles Scenes (with couples cordially invited) in the world’s coolest cities—think of it as romance with a buzz, on Valentine’s Day or any day.
The Draw: A striking modern décor sets the backdrop for one of Amsterdam’s most stylish gay scenes. The Scene: Young, ultra-hip, mainly male patrons spill out into the street, sipping
smart cocktails and greeting passing friends and colleagues, lending a neighborhood
pub feel to this popular and stylish meeting spot. Hot Tip: Don’t miss Arc’s popular cocktail hour from 5–7pm nightly.
The Draw: Practicing your best pick-up-lines on a terrace packed with a cross-section of locals. The Scene: While proletarian tipples Heineken and Amstel—this city’s brews of choice—trump swishy cocktails at this Art Deco classic, a crowd of young professionals drawn from the surrounding neighborhood contributes to Wildschut’s reputation as an after-work meet market. A street corner location and large terrace help set the mood by providing the perfect vantage points to scout the crowd and passersby alike.
Hot Tip: Friday night sees Wildschut at its busiest, but the nearby Concertgebouw means that pre- (or post-) concert drinks here are an Amsterdam tradition.
Friday Night Skate
Starting point in the Vondelpark,
opposite the Filmmuseum at the “round bench” fridaynightskate.com
The Draw: Rollerblading through the heart of Amsterdam with a few thousand of your newest friends, taking in sights, exchanging phone numbers, and making après-skate plans. The Scene: A weekly event with more than a decade of history, the fitness-meets-fun mass rollerblade tour attracts a healthy, 20- to 40-something crowd of both locals and visitors. Routes change weekly and occasional “themed” skates like the annual “dress like Santa” tour amount to an ever-changing fun time.
Hot Tip: Be sure to check the website before you head out to the starting point; inclement weather can spoil your plans.
