Big things are happening at Amsterdam Street Art! We’re putting our energy into a new project that brings together many of the things we love: street art, creativity, urban culture and community.
Together with Ambassade Group and Mokum Bier, we’re developing RAFEL, a new street art bar in Amsterdam where art, hospitality, food, drinks and music meet. More than just a bar, RAFEL is a creative space where artists can experiment, the local creative community can connect and different worlds can come together.
Where the raw meets the refined
That’s the spirit of RAFEL. Think urban art alongside quality hospitality, creative freedom alongside thoughtful details, and an authentic Amsterdam character with an international outlook. A place that invites curiosity, encourages discovery and leaves room for the unexpected.
But RAFEL is also part of a bigger ambition. As Amsterdam continues to change under the pressures of gentrification, spaces for artistic experimentation and spontaneous culture are becoming increasingly important. RAFEL aims to turn an overlooked part of the city into a new frontier for creativity, bringing fresh energy to the heart of Amsterdam, just a stone’s throw from Central Station, and showing that things can be done differently.
In collaboration with artists and the Municipality of Amsterdam, the wider initiative includes the development of a Hall of Fame – a designated space for graffiti in the city centre – alongside opportunities for other forms of urban culture and creative activities. The ambition is to create a place where art, public space and community can interact, giving different forms of urban culture room to flourish.
For us at Amsterdam Street Art, RAFEL is a new way to put our mission into practice. Since 2010, we’ve been working to bridge the gap between artists and people, helping street art reach new audiences and gain the recognition it deserves. With RAFEL, we’re taking that mission into a new space, making urban art part of a wider experience.
A new focus, with the same passion for street art
RAFEL marks a new chapter for Amsterdam Street Art, giving us another way to support artists, connect with audiences and bring urban culture into new spaces. As we dedicate much of our time and energy to developing this venture, our platform will remain part of the journey, even if we’ll be sharing editorial content and updates less frequently for a while.
Follow RAFEL on social media for a closer look at the project, sneak peeks of the space and updates on what’s coming next.
RAFEL opens its doors on 21 November, starting with an intimate gathering for friends, family and collaborators. A larger opening event will follow, and we’ll keep you posted. We look forward to welcoming you and sharing what we’ve been working on.
Stay tuned!
