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History, architecture, and a dose of myth on the Zeedijk
In ’t Aepjen, located at Zeedijk 1 near Amsterdam Central Station, is one of the most character-filled pubs in the Netherlands.
Its name recalls old seafaring tales, its walls belong to one of Amsterdam’s few surviving wooden houses, and its atmosphere bridges five centuries of urban history.
Quick Summary
- 🪵 Built between 1546 and 1550 – one of three surviving wooden houses in Amsterdam.
- 🎭 Name In ’t Aepjen (“In the Little Monkeys”) appears on Cornelis Anthonisz’s 1544 map.
- 🏙️ Set on the historic Zeedijk street – a medieval sea-dike turned cultural hub.
- 🐒 Monkey legend = popular folklore – not historically verified.
- 🍺 Today = a beloved brown café, serving Dutch beer and jenever.
A Rare Wooden Survivor
The house at Zeedijk 1 was constructed around 1546-1550, placing it in the late-medieval period when Amsterdam was rapidly expanding.
Its visible façade dates from 1878, yet the timber frame inside remains original.
Following the 1452 fire, Amsterdam required brick side-walls and later, in 1669, fully banned wooden fronts, explaining why so few timber structures remain.
Contrary to the often-repeated “two remaining” claim, three wooden houses now survive:
- Zeedijk 1 (In ’t Aepjen) – c. 1546-50
- Begijnhof 34 – 16th century
- Warmoesstraat 90 – dated c. 1485 and currently recognised as Amsterdam’s oldest house.
The Zeedijk Context
“Zeedijk” translates to sea dike, built to shield the medieval city from IJ Bay floods.
Over time, it evolved from fortification → sailors’ quarter → notorious 1970s red-light strip → present-day cultural street hosting pubs, eateries and Amsterdam’s Chinatown.
Standing here, In ’t Aepjen embodies that entire timeline.
The Name & the Monkey Legend: Folklore vs Fact
According to popular tales, broke sailors once paid their innkeeper with monkeys brought from foreign voyages, giving rise to the name In ’t Aepjen.
Yet, modern linguistic and historical research shows:
- The idiom “in de aap gelogeerd zijn” (“to be lodged in the monkey,” meaning to be in trouble) was first recorded in 1861, centuries after the Dutch Golden Age.
- There’s no archival proof that the building functioned as a 17th-century tavern for VOC sailors.
- The pub itself moved to this location in the 1980s, repurposing the historic building.
Thus, the monkey story is mythical branding rather than verifiable history, but an enduring one that keeps visitors curious.
The Artis Zoo Connection – Folklore, Not Fact
Another charming myth links In ’t Aepjen’s monkeys to Artis Zoo, founded in 1838 by Gerard Westerman and partners.
Historical records show Artis began with a small collection of birds and monkeys, but there’s no evidence they came from this pub.
Historians classify the story as unverifiable folklore, part of Amsterdam’s love for narrative embellishment.
Inside Today’s In ’t Aepjen
Walk inside and you step into a classic Dutch bruin café (brown pub): dark wood beams, old beer posters, and warm lighting.
You’ll spot a wooden staircase that now leads to closed upper floors, a literal “stairway to nowhere,” echoing centuries of modifications.
What to try: Palm amber ale or a traditional Dutch jenever.
When to visit: Afternoons for quiet ambience; weekend nights for local buzz.
What to see: the monkey figurines and the contrasting old wood vs modern Chinatown energy outside.
Practical Information
- Address: Zeedijk 1, 1012 AN Amsterdam
- Opening Hours: Approx. 12:00 – 01:00 (Sun-Thu), 12:00 – 03:00 (Fri-Sat)
- Nearest Transport: Amsterdam Centraal Station (5-minute walk)
- What It Serves: Beer, Dutch jenever, bar snacks
- Atmosphere: Authentic, compact, warm, historic
Why Visit In ’t Aepjen Today
Because it’s where Amsterdam’s past meets its present:
- Architecture you can literally touch from the 16th century.
- Local pub life unfolding in an old-world setting.
- A famous name wrapped in folklore, you can tell friends about even if half of it is myth.
For a drink that tastes like time travel, few spots deliver better.
Oldest Pubs in Amsterdam
Love stories like this one? Explore more of Amsterdam’s heritage pubs in our complete guide to the oldest pubs in Amsterdam, from De Ooievaar to Café Hoppe.