Welcome to Mulligans
There are dozens of "Irish" bars in Amsterdam. And only one Mulligans.
Mulligans Irish Music Bar looks right out on the river Amstel, from which Amsterdam took its name eight centuries ago. Over the years its easy location, casual friendly atmosphere, and the blend of quirky characters who call it home, have somehow made Mulligan's into a legendary meeting place for musicians, writers, artists and other unsavoury types — as well as a destination for thousands of curious visitors from abroad.
It's called an Irish music bar because much of the time, something is happening that's both Irish and musical. Noteworthy modern songwriters and traditional players from Ireland make regular appearances, as do the more accomplished locals. Every Sunday evening there's an open Irish session where musicians are welcome to join in. On Wednesday evenings there's the songs and tunes Back Room session with The Lasses. On the first Monday of each month the Mulligans Dancers hold a set dancing session with live music, inviting participation from beginners and experts alike. Most other Mondays the dancers practise with canned music.
Why Irish music in Amsterdam? Believe it or not, there's a strong traditional Irish music movement in the Netherlands, and it's not just Irish ex-pats who play the stuff. A lot of Nederlanders are quite fond of Irish music — and some of them play it very seriously indeed.
There are of course some shining exceptions to that prevailing Irishness. You may just find yourself sitting in an Irish bar in Holland, at a table with a bunch of happy Norwegians, listening to country-western tunes played by four Dutchmen who sound like they're from Tennessee. Or dancing to Greek music played by four Bulgarian Amsterdammers who got here by way of Prague. You just never know — unless you check the event calendar.
Dutch law normally prohibits smoking in bars. If you wish to light up (only tobacco, no drugs please!) Mulligans provides a seperate, comfortable smoking room in the back which is open all working hours until midnight during the week and later in the weekends.
There might be times, however, that the smoking room is used for other functions in which case you won't be able to smoke there. This is the case on Wednesday evenings from 19:00 during the backroom session. In fair weather you could then sit yourself down on our terrace in the Balk in 't Oogsteeg, the "Beam in the Eye Alley" where, obviously, you're also welcome if you don't smoke!
One other thing sets Mulligans apart from most bars in our fair city: uncharacteristically good service. The folks behind the bar may not look the hardworking conscientious type, but you'll generally find yourself well taken care of by people who actually know what they're doing. And they're uncommonly open with insightful advice for the stranger.
People tend to feel welcome at Mulligans. That's why they keep coming back. Why don't you come by and see us sometime?
