Monkey Bar Amsterdam (In't Aepjen) - A Hedgehog in the Kitchen

On our most recent trip to Amsterdam, we visited a brown bar that has been on our list for a while. We had evening drinks at In’t Aepjen, the Monkey Bar Amsterdam. If you love quirky bars loaded with history, then make sure you check it out if you are planning a trip to Amsterdam.

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In’t Aepjen, the Monkey Bar Amsterdam Location

Incredibly, this brown bar is housed in one of the oldest buildings in central Amsterdam. There were two great fires in Amsterdam in 1421 and 1452 that destroyed most of the city.

Just two wooden buildings survived the blaze; one of which was the wooden building that houses In’t Aepjen. (The other is the Het Houten Huys (“the wooden house”) at the Begijnhof.

The original building that houses the Monkey Bar dates back to 1475, the annex was a tavern in the 17th century and the ground floor only became a cafe in 1990.

monkey decor at Monkey Bar Amsterdam (In't Aepjen)

In the 17th century, the area in and around the bend of Zeedijk was one of the wealthiest and most prestigious areas to live – particularly between the numbers 31 and 44. When they wealthy area moved to Herengracht, the area around Zeedijk slowly became dedicated to entertainment and prostitution.

This continued as late as the 1970s and 1980s when the area was central to illegal drug sales in Amsterdam, making it a no-go zone for most.

Luckily, starting in 1985, the area has been cleaned up and is now a popular street once more! It’s actually a very busy street in the evening.

The Zeedijk is part of Chinatown and is also part of the Red Light District.

The history of In’t Aepjen, the Monkey Bar Amsterdam

In’t Aepjen is a traditional brown bar in Amsterdam.

After the two great fires of 1421 and 1452, Amsterdam was entirely re-built. Emperor Charles decreed that new houses would be built in stone.

This bar was frequented by sailors who had been traveling throughout Asia. They often brought monkeys back with them. If short on money, they were known to settle their bar tabs in exchange for live monkeys brought back from Asia.

Over time, there were so many monkeys living upstairs that the bar became infested with fleas. Customers decided to complain, and one day, the owner of the bar gave all of the monkeys to a wealthy customer who had a large garden outside his home in Amsterdam.

This was the beginning of the Amsterdam Zoo, one of the oldest in Europe!

drinks menu at Monkey Bar Amsterdam (In't Aepjen)

What is a brown bar?

A brown bar in Amsterdam is like an English pub. They are local watering holes that serve traditional food and beer in a relaxed and casual atmosphere.

Go for the drinks, snacks and chill vibe.

When to visit the Monkey Bar Amsterdam

Brown bars typically open around 2pm and stay open until the early hours of the morning (1am or so).

Some serve food as well.

We visited In’t Aepjen around 6:30pm and stayed for a couple of hours before heading out for dinner.

What to order at In’t Aepjen, the Monkey Bar Amsterdam

Hugo tried some different beers (including their house beer) and I had a couple of glasses of Chardonnay.

Although brown bars are better known for their beer you can also ask for their wine selection, if like me, you’re not a beer drinker. They also serve sodas and other non-alcoholic drinks.

We ordered a selection of crackers and nuts with our drinks which were lovely and flavorful. They were out of cheese on the day we visited but you can typically ask for a cheeseboard as well.

This is a good spot to try local Dutch jenever (gin) as well.

glass of wine at Monkey Bar Amsterdam (In't Aepjen)

Decor

It’s all about the monkeys here and you will see them everywhere you turn!

There are monkey statues, monkey paintings, stuffed (toy) monkeys and taxidermy on display.

Remember your visit to the Monkey Bar Amsterdam forever with this vintage-style printed monkey canvas that is reminiscent of the monkey decor you’ll experience at the bar.

Location

Zeedijk 1, 1012 AN Amsterdam

interiors & ambiance at Monkey Bar Amsterdam (In't Aepjen), girl sitting on bar stool

Where to stay in Amsterdam

The Pulitzer – this is such a special place to stay if you want to have the experience of staying in an authentic canal house that has been converted into a luxury boutique hotel. The small hotel has rooms with canal views, a gorgeous hotel bar and fabulously chic restaurant.
The Dylan – such a special hotel located in the heart of Amsterdam. This hotel is so elegant and chic. Enjoy the beautiful bar and 3-Michelin star restaurant.
Eden Hotel Amsterdam – this affordable 4-star luxury boutique hotel is well-located and beautifully decorated.
NH City Centre Amsterdam – you can always count on NH hotels to offer comfortable and clean lodging in great locations and the NH City Centre Amsterdam is no exception.

Don’t miss these other activities in Amsterdam!

Book a canal cruise with unlimited cheese and wine – we’ve tried several canal cruises and this was our favorite!
Visit the Van Gogh Museum – enjoy this gorgeous museum dedicated to Van Gogh’s work.
Visit the Anne Frank House – learn more about Anne Frank’s story and see where she and her family hid.
Visit Rembrandt’s House – experience the home where Rembrandt lived and learn about his life and work.