An area full of restaurants, such as a yummy falafel joint whose name I forgot. Sorry. Anyway, you can check out Boom Chicago (improv comedy) or any number of bars or pastry joints. Plenty of places to buy tourist junk. And the Bulldog coffee shop!

It's a fun time on the Leidseplein. A ton of restaurants, coffee shops, shops, and anything touristy. Just because it is touristy doesn't mean that locals don't hang out there because they do! Its a hot bed of activity. Your trip to "the dam" will have you at the Leidseplein!

This is tourist central, and features TONS of outdoor bars and restaurants.  If you're a tourist, it's a pretty comfortable place to hang out.  I found some pretty cool pubs and coffee shops a couple of blocks off the main Leidseplein square.  There's also a sports bar right on the corner of the Leidseplein that is a good place to sit outside and watch a game.  I watched the finals of the Eurobasket with a bunch of Spaniards and Russians, and it was very entertaining.

Leidseplein is not a particularly cultural part of the city, but it's a good place to grab a few Heinekens and a smoke.