Hi. I’m off to the Dam soon and was wondering what the position was regards getting into bars/restaurants.

Are they accepting the NHS vaccination app or is it constant testing?

If so what kind of experience/tips have you guys had?

Cheers

Oh....
this is truly, madly, deeply fucked up.
They will always accept the CoronaPass QR code for vaccinated people from the Schengen zone.
They will always accept a QR code from a rapid test...available for free through Testenvoortoegang.nl
beyond that...good fucking luck.
if it is early and not busy, there isn't likely to be anyone at the door, and anyone can enter.
If there is a doorman, they accepted my crappy American vaccine card about half the time.
I took three rapid tests over two weeks. It worked fine twice. Once, they never sent me a result. At least it was free.
This was the worst, most frustrating part of my trip.
If you go out with a group of friends, it is almost certain that at least one of the group will be denied.
We spent a lot of time drinking, smoking, and getting delivery on the boat.
I enjoyed time with friends this way, and would do it again.
If you are young and single and looking to mingle, you may be disappointed.

Weasel

I see that the uk NHS covid pass will be accept from Friday. DutchNews.nl has an article about it. That should make it easier for uk visitors. I'm glad as I will be there Sunday, after 672 days since my last visit, been far too long.

And another thing,
Once inside, service takes twice as long as normal.
Many places have staff shortages.
One cafe on Reuysdalkade had just the owner working, covering the bar, inside dining, and the terrace by himself.
There was a two-hour line at Schiphol just to get to the counter. I was there 3 hours before my Sunday morning flight, and I almost missed it.

Weasel

First post, but have been on this site likely over the past five years or more. I've been to the 'Dam more than 50+ times in twenty years (used to be for work/pleasure, now just for fun); last time in Feb. of 2020 the week before restrictions first began. I just booked a trip for end of February and will be there for ten days. Hopefully, a little more of this madness will subside, but I'm not very optimistic after what has transpired over the past 20 months.

Anyway, much of what I'm reading is truly sad and frustrating. With regard to this topic, the trepidation I have in getting tested just to get into a place with the QR code (and likely every 24 hours or 48) is that if I tested positive (not that it matters, but I'm vaccinated) on any occasion, I'm screwed. I'll have to quarantine and cannot leave until 11 days/negative retest at this point, I think. F'ed up is an understatement about how they're going about this.

I'd love to hear others' experiences. I already gave up on going to the Concertgebouw, likely the museums or a nightclub, as they will not let me in as an American even if I show my CDC proof of vaccination. Are nicer sit-down restaurants where I'd make a reservation and just regular bars (Suzie's, Whiskeycafe L & B, Wonder Bar, etc.—those types) doing the same thing? I'm really trying to get a pulse on this, nevermind what I think of all this. Thanks all!

Museums didn't check. No masks, no distancing, but they use timed entry on the tickets to keep crowds spread out.
Most small foodshops didn't check.
Wok to Walk, Burger Bar, FEBO.
Thai Bird Snack Bar was very fussy about distaning.
Thai Bird Restaurant didn't care. The place was packed.
Reefer, Green Place, Greenhouse effect...Didn't care.
Bluebird...Very fussy about my vaccine card.
Outdoor markets...no problems.
Airport...about half masked.
Trains...Almost 100% mask.
I was in every one of these places with an American vaccine card.

Concertgebouw entry I think depends on the size of the crowd. If the crowd is big enough, you have to get a free rapid test to enter even if you are vaccinated and can prove it.

I think it would be hard to get around if this was your first trip.
If you know your way around, it isn't that hard to find a place that will treat you properly.
You an get delivery from almost anywhere, and take-out works great as well.
Getting a day test is a small hassle, but worth it for a big concert or event.
I wouldn't do it every day just to go out to eat.
Clubs and bars seem to be the most unpredictable.
Restaurants are a little screwed up, but you are more likely to get brutally slow service than refused entry.
Coffeeshops were mostly running like normal.
The windows work just like normal!

I think this is going to get better rapidly.
I noticed things getting easier just over the two weeks I was there.
I'm worried that this winter will be a mess as influenza season will make everyone think they have COVID.
That will clog the testing schemes.
By spring, I hope it will be nearly normal...except for the closures and retirements.

Weasel

Thank you for this, weasel! This is very helpful. I'll really be keeping an eye on this, and appreciate your insight. Truly.

Thank you

I guess I’ve been lucky with the timing of the acceptance of the uk vaccine certificate.

Hopefully the kinks in the system will be worked out over the next week.

Okay, here we go: https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2021/11/d ... for-entry/

that sucks! Im returning to Amsterdam this weekend... I think this is going to be the last time for a while. I'm one of a few here on this board who has been traveling many times during these two years. Full of expectations every time but in reality.... hmm ....we all know how it is.


not sure wtf the netherlands are doing wrong with their numbers... ? how can a country like this fail to get the vaccine out? this is like spring/summer 2020 again

I suppose I'm not surprised by this at all...was just waiting for it.
As for the numbers, this doesn't and won't surprise me, either. It's not a true vaccination; it's more like a(n) (annual) flu shot (an mRNA gene therapy, too). You still contract and spread it. The up-and-down statistics will not go away. It's the reality. What isn't reality is how they continue to go down the same roads to 'combat' it.

Regardless, I do hope someday things get back to a saner, normalized way of adapting to this. I still cannot wait for my trip in February, but at this point, I wouldn't doubt it if it gets cancelled, either.

And an update after today's press conference: https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2021/11/f ... vid-rules/



At least they're not shutting down the windows again, yet.

What does this even mean for non-EU citizens? We've got passes, it's just they won't accept them on equal footing as a digital EU-approved version; and on top of that, we can't even get one. So am I reading this as, 'if I'm there, good luck even being able to sit on a cafe terrace?' I really wish logic would prevail in humanity.

Although I can’t answer your question, and realise they will tighten up on COVID passes, I’m currently in Amsterdam I’ve eaten in 2 places one was checking everyones COVID pass, their scanner didn’t recognise my NHS pass but after checking dates on my travel passes both off them where happy to let me in. Other place were checking no one even though some people were offering to show them. So at present it’s hit or miss anyway I can’t see there will be resources to check every establishment are following the rules. I think there logic is to get locals to get vaccinated that dont want to by restricting where they can socialise.

Thanks for that, rollmech. Doesn't inspire much confidence either way. Four months for me is a long way off; a lot can happen, obviously, between now and then. Still, proves this isn't really about safety. Be safe and enjoy your time!