Louis Bollee goes to a fun party five days a week. And not to steal the show on the dance floor or to go home drunk. No, he drinks very obediently cola light, leaves the snacks alone (otherwise he would be round as a barrel by now) and photographs and interviews the guests for the column Schuim in Het Parool. And sometimes grab an afterparty? No way. The deadline at Het Parool is half past six in the morning. OMG, how does he manage it? Louis naturally visits a lot of nice places in Amsterdam, so I was really curious about his favorite spots.
Restaurant
‘I think I was an Indonesian in my previous life. I would really want and be able to eat Indonesian every day. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In Bos en Lommer, there is Betawi on the Admiraal de Ruyterweg. It’s not fancy, but the people are honest and the food is super tasty. There’s a guy working there with a shiny billiard ball who gives everyone jovial shoulder pats AND an old woman who calls everyone ‘aunt’. I once called her after closing time to ask if she could make me a small snack. And she did.
At Blauw on the Amstelveenseweg, I love to eat the goat satay. The best in the city. I have been to quite a few Indonesian restaurants; if the satay is good, then everything else on the menu is also good. So, do you want to know if you are at the right place? Then first ask to taste a satay. This tip was once given to me by a real Indo.
In April, I will be done with Schuim. Everyone does it for a year and then hands over the baton to someone else. Then I reward myself with a trip to Indonesia. I don’t want to come back later!’
Hotel
‘I often go to hotels for work for drinks. It doesn’t really matter where it is, but I care more about the snacks. If they are tasty, I am very happy. I love the Conservatorium Hotel because chef Schilo (from Coevorden) makes the most delicious snacks. When I’m there, I love to snack on the canapés. In general, I skip the bitterballen at all other parties. Otherwise, I end up with more ragout than blood running through my veins.’
Gym
‘If I found 3000 euros under a street stone, I would immediately take a subscription at Akasha. That’s the gym of the Conservatorium Hotel. It’s always quiet and I think mostly foreign hotel guests work out there. No one you run into, so that’s great.’
Lunch
‘Unfortunately, you can’t have Indonesian lunch anywhere. A problem for me. By the way, I also love hamburgers. At Lust in the Runstraat, they are super.
In the Warmoestraat, there is restaurant Getto. If that could become a lunch spot. That would be amazing. The burgers there are named after drag queens. I always take Jennifer Hopplezz. That’s one with avocado. Sounds a bit weird, but it’s really delicious.’
Which club gave you the worst hangover
‘I always hang out in the lights of the Nyx. The former club Exit. I always thought it was a bit of a shabby place. Now everyone lets their hair down and dances until morning. If I think I’m going to take it easy one night, that never happens. It always escalates in the Nyx. I like to drink vodka neat, no ice either.‘
Best spot to date
‘I’m really into foreigners. For example, expats who are here for a long time in the Netherlands. I’m glad it’s winter again because then I like to take my date to the Jaap Edebaan to skate in the evening and drink gluhwein. That’s very romantic anyway because there are lights everywhere and you have a pretty good guarantee for a successful date because a) you can always skate better than he can, b) you make beautiful graceful circles around him (very impressive for him), c) you help him and that makes him very endearing, and d) if he falls, he ends up in your arms and then yes… a kiss. The only downside is that if it’s not a fun date, you’re stuck somewhere on an ice rink in Amsterdam East.’
Clothing store
‘I’m not good at shopping. When I shop, I go early on a Monday and try everything on at home. Crowds and fitting room lights are not for me. I prefer to shop online at Topshop and Asos. At Baobab on the Elandsgracht, I sometimes buy jewelry. I don’t wear them myself, but I always succeed for gifts. Even the gift wrapping is a party.’
Shoe store
‘I have six pairs of one model. The Adidas Originals Superstar 2.0 White with black stripes. I wear them all the time. Only at a film premiere do I pop into Invito to score some nicer shoes.’
Most bizarre party of the past year.
‘Vogue party under the Rijksmuseum. The location was a bit crazy. We were all partying under the museum. So far, the only night I have given five stars as a rating.’
How did you spend the Christmas days?
‘I really hate Christmas. My parents don’t find Christmas super fun either. We always have a fixed program.
We go to De Bijenkorf to pick out the ugliest Christmas ball ever (And that can be done very well there), then we go to the movies at Tuschinski and afterwards eat goat cheese croquettes at Schiller on the Rembrandtplein.’
