The ginger coloured cat keeps watch over the Old Nickel from his perch on the windowsill. It’s one of the cosiest places we’ve come across in Amsterdam and this is probably in large part due to its old-fashioned maroon, blue and gold carpet that looks remarkably good considering what it must have experienced over the years. Intricately carved men’s faces peer out at the bar from the dark wood panelling and from the mantel above the beautiful Delft tile fireplace, which unfortunately only offers faux flames. An incredible selection of roughly 70 beers is available from 10% Trappist quadruples to strange organic brews made without hops. If you have one too many strong beers, you can always crash at its hotel upstairs.