Back in Amsterdam, it was always time to find a bar and have a pint. The citizens of Amsterdam know how to live: from their sidewalk coffees at 11:00 am, to the mid-afternoon glass of beer, to the after-work pint, the local cafes, bars, coffee shops, and pubs always seemed to have customers (although not as many as on weekends; you knew when it was Friday because of the surge of tourists, and when it was Monday by how empty the sidewalks seemed).
We had several favorite bars and beers. To the left is the view out the window from Cafe II Prinsen, where I first had Leeuw (pronounced something like Lay-o, Dutch for Leo).
I think Tom's favorite was Cafe P-96, with the nice white-haired bartender and her cats, and the very good Brand beer and roasted almonds.
We both got a kick out of Durty Nelly's Irish pub (with Guinness), which was the perfect place to be during World Cup season. (Thankfully the British and Irish were winning when we were there.) They also had the best (i.e., nicest or most polite) bartenders, even more so than the "Bar of the Three Bartenders."
We also enjoyed Cafe du Tuin, Cafe du Zaterdugse Brug, and (don't forget) De Kat. I didn't particularly enjoy Duvel beer (too yeasty), Choufe (bitter Belgian beer), or Strongbow (Irish cider).
The best part was just walking around, you saw such interesting and wonderful sights. Gray herons and coots everywhere, almost tame enough to touch. Flower markets with 50 tulips for 5 euros. Beautiful architecture around almost every corner.
Who wouldn't have a great time?