Reviewed · FOOD & DRINK

Amsterdam Beer Olympics

★ 5.0 · 6 reviews 2 hours (approx.) From $42 Operated by FunAmsterdam · Bookable on Viator
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The main appeal here is simple: you get a ready-made social event in a central Amsterdam bar, with a game-master keeping the action moving. You’ll face at least four beer games, including ideas gathered from around the world, so this is more structured than merely meeting for drinks.

I like the private-group format, since your own party takes part together. I also like the practical setup: The Old Bell sits on Rembrandtplein, the beer is included, and the activity lasts about two hours, making it easy to fit before dinner or a night out.

The main catch is that this is a drinking event, not a sightseeing tour. Snacks and bottled water are not included, and the beer allocation is fixed at 15 litres for every 10 people, so you should plan your own food, water, and sensible pace.

Key points at a glance

Amsterdam Beer Olympics - Key points at a glance

  • At least four drinking games: You get a proper sequence of challenges rather than one quick contest.
  • 15 litres of beer per 10 people: The stated allowance works out to a substantial shared supply, though serving sizes are not specified.
  • Rembrandtplein meeting point: The Old Bell is close to Amsterdam’s city centre and public transport.
  • Private activity: Only your group participates, which suits birthdays, reunions, and friend groups.
  • About two hours: The timing works well as a pre-dinner or pre-night-out plan.
  • Game-master included: Someone organizes the rounds and explains how the games work.

What the Amsterdam Beer Olympics actually is

Amsterdam Beer Olympics - What the Amsterdam Beer Olympics actually is

Think of this as a hosted bar game session, not an athletic event with running tracks and medals. The format centers on beer-based recreation, with your group taking part in a series of drinking challenges.

The exact games are not named in the available details. That is worth knowing before you book. You can expect a minimum of four games, but you should not choose this activity expecting a fixed list of contests or a detailed sports schedule.

The games are prepared by an international team, with ideas drawn from different parts of the world. That gives the session a broad party-game feel rather than tying it to one local Amsterdam tradition. The main point is participation, quick competition, and plenty of chances to laugh at your friends’ supposed skills.

The game-master is an important part of the setup. Instead of your group trying to invent rules after ordering drinks, someone is there to organize the rounds. That matters in a short activity. Two hours can pass quickly when the transitions are handled well.

You should also understand the tone. This is designed for people who want to drink and play at the same time. It is not a quiet tasting, a lesson in Dutch brewing, or a guided look at Amsterdam’s beer culture. If you want a relaxed evening focused on beer quality, this is probably the wrong choice. If you want a social contest with a built-in host, it makes more sense.

A few more days out around Amsterdam worth weighing up

Starting at The Old Bell on Rembrandtplein

Amsterdam Beer Olympics - Starting at The Old Bell on Rembrandtplein

The activity starts at The Old Bell, Rembrandtplein 46, 1017 CV Amsterdam. Rembrandtplein is a useful meeting area because it is close to the city centre and near public transportation.

That central location is one of the strongest practical features. You do not need private transport, and the tour does not send you out to a distant venue. You can reach the meeting point by public transit and continue into central Amsterdam afterward.

The meeting point also makes the activity easy to attach to other plans. You might schedule it before dinner, use it as the first stop of a night out, or place it between afternoon sightseeing and an evening booking. The listed operating hours are noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Sunday, for the stated booking period. That makes this more of an afternoon activity than a late-night event.

Give yourself enough time to find The Old Bell and gather your group before the start. A bar on a busy square can be easier to reach than a venue outside town, but central locations can still be lively and confusing when you are meeting several people.

The Rembrandtplein itinerary and venue setup

There is only one listed stop: Rembrandtplein. In practical terms, that means you meet at The Old Bell, take part in the games there, and finish back at the same meeting point.

That simple route is a benefit. You do not lose time walking between bars or waiting for transport. The event stays in one venue for its roughly two-hour run, which gives the game-master more room to keep the contest moving.

The tradeoff is that you should not expect a tour of Amsterdam. You will not be led through the canals, historic lanes, or major sights as part of this activity. The square provides the central setting, but the beer games are the main event.

The indoor bar setting also gives the activity a clear focus. You are not relying on good weather or outdoor space. Still, the supplied details do not explain the exact layout, seating, noise level, or number of participants. I would treat the atmosphere as a lively bar setting, while avoiding assumptions about a private room or special facilities.

The private format is especially useful for groups that already know one another. You can compete within your own party without being assigned to a larger public group. At the same time, this format may feel less social if you hoped to meet strangers. The activity is built around your group participating together, not around a general open mixer.

Four or more games, with the game-master in charge

Amsterdam Beer Olympics - Four or more games, with the game-master in charge

The minimum of four drinking games gives the event a proper shape. You are not paying for one short bar trick followed by free time. Instead, the session has several rounds, each offering a new way for your group to compete.

The international source of the games adds variety, though the exact challenges are not provided. You may find familiar party-game ideas mixed with less familiar contests. I would book this for the overall format rather than for any particular game, since no official game list is available.

The game-master should help with explanations, timing, and scoring. That role is valuable for a group that wants to start playing quickly. It also reduces the usual problem of one person in the party having to act as organizer while everyone else has fun.

Do not read the game-master role as a promise of a formal referee or a serious tournament. The tone is casual and social. The point is to keep the rounds clear and entertaining, not to settle a world championship.

You will get the most from the activity if you are willing to join in. Shy participants may need a little encouragement, and a group with mixed interest in drinking games may not enjoy every round equally. The setup is better for an outgoing party than for a group seeking a calm sit-down drink.

More bar and brewery crawls in Amsterdam:

How much beer is included

Amsterdam Beer Olympics - How much beer is included

The package includes alcoholic beverages, with 15 litres of beer provided for each 10 people. That is the central inclusion and helps explain the price.

The quantity is shared across the group, not described as a personal allowance for each participant. The details do not specify the beer brand, serving size, glass size, or how the supply is distributed during the games. You should not book this expecting a particular Dutch craft beer, a tasting flight, or a choice of several styles.

The positive side is predictability. You know that beer is part of the package, and you do not need to arrange the drinks separately for the games. Cold beer is also a recurring point in the available feedback, which suggests that temperature and basic drink service have been handled well for this activity.

The missing extras matter. Snacks are not included, and bottled water is not included. That is a real consideration for an event built around alcohol and physical-style contests. Eat beforehand or arrange food separately, and bring or buy water if you need it. You should also pace yourself. The games are meant to be fun, not a test of how quickly you can drink.

Anyone in your group who does not drink alcohol should check the available arrangements before booking. The supplied information describes alcoholic beverages but does not confirm nonalcoholic substitutes.

Is $42.89 a fair price?

Amsterdam Beer Olympics - Is $42.89 a fair price?

At $42.89 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in an Amsterdam bar. You are paying for more than the beer itself: the venue setting, the organized rounds, the game-master, and the convenience of a ready-to-go group activity.

The value improves when you have a full group that will use the format. The 15-litre allowance is calculated per 10 people, and the private arrangement works best when everyone wants to take part. For a birthday, reunion, family celebration, or friends’ weekend, the cost can be reasonable because you are buying an organized event rather than simply ordering drinks.

The value is weaker if you mainly want beer. In that case, ordering directly at a bar gives you more control over what you drink and how long you stay. It is also weaker for people who dislike competitive games or want a food-focused activity.

I would compare this price with the cost of arranging your own bar crawl or party activity. The Beer Olympics saves you from picking venues, making up contests, and managing the schedule. That convenience is the main part of what you are paying for.

Who will enjoy this most

Amsterdam Beer Olympics - Who will enjoy this most

This activity fits groups that want a clear plan and a bit of friendly pressure. It should work well for:

  • Friends looking for a pre-drink before going out
  • Family groups who enjoy casual games together
  • Birthday and celebration groups
  • Small private parties that want a hosted activity
  • Visitors who prefer a central meeting point
  • People who want social entertainment without arranging every detail themselves

It is less suitable for a quiet couple’s outing, a serious beer tasting, or anyone avoiding alcohol. It may also be a poor match for a group with very mixed energy levels, since the core format asks people to play and drink rather than simply watch.

The activity has earned strong overall feedback, with six listed ratings at the top score. The praise focuses on the fun, organization, cold beer, friendly host, and central location. Those are exactly the points I would use when deciding. The event seems to succeed because it removes the planning work and gives your group something to do together.

Timing, transport, and booking details

Amsterdam Beer Olympics - Timing, transport, and booking details

The advertised duration is about two hours. That is long enough for at least four games but short enough to fit around other plans. I would avoid booking a tight dinner reservation immediately afterward, since the session may finish close to its estimated end rather than on an exact minute.

The activity starts and ends at The Old Bell. There is no private transportation included, but you should not need it for the stated central meeting point. The venue is near public transportation, which makes arrival and onward travel relatively straightforward.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation is sent when you book. Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, but detailed accessibility information is not provided. If anyone in your group has specific mobility or access needs, contact the provider before paying.

The provider is FunAmsterdam. The activity is offered in English, so you should be comfortable following game instructions and group conversation in English.

Cancellation is flexible only up to a point. You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

A sensible way to prepare

Eat before you arrive or arrange food separately. Since snacks are not included, arriving hungry is a bad plan for an activity that combines alcohol with games.

Bring a way to drink water, or plan to purchase it at the venue. Bottled water is not part of the package, and a sensible pace will make the two hours more enjoyable for everyone.

Make sure your whole group understands the format before booking. The private setup is a strength when everyone wants to participate. It is less useful if several people plan to sit out.

Treat the beer allocation as a shared supply, not a target. The listed 15 litres per 10 people tells you what is included, but it does not say how many servings you will receive or how the game-master will distribute them. Your group should decide its own limits.

Finally, arrive ready to take part. This is not a passive bar stop. The best value comes from joining the rounds, encouraging your teammates, and accepting that a little friendly competition is the point.

Should you book the Amsterdam Beer Olympics?

Book it if you have a group that wants a central, hosted beer activity with at least four games and no need to organize the evening yourself. The combination of a private group, game-master, included beer, and Rembrandtplein location makes it a practical pre-night-out choice.

Skip it if you want a brewery tour, a serious beer tasting, included food, or a quiet drink. Also think twice if your group does not drink or if several people will not join the games.

For the right party, the appeal is not Amsterdam sightseeing. It is the ease of turning two afternoon hours into a shared event. Eat first, plan for water, and book with friends who are ready to play.

FAQ

Where does the Amsterdam Beer Olympics start?

It starts at The Old Bell, Rembrandtplein 46, 1017 CV Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at The Old Bell.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately two hours.

How many games are included?

The package includes a minimum of four drinking games.

How much beer is provided?

It includes 15 litres of beer for each 10 people.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, though the meeting point is near public transportation.

Are snacks and bottled water included?

No. Snacks and bottled water are not included.

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

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