The night out, Amsterdam after the show

Amsterdam after dark follows the seasons. Summer evenings stay light until late, so terraces and rooftop bars carry the first half of the night. Winter moves everything indoors, to candlelit cocktail bars and concert halls, while light artworks glow along the canals in the darker months. On King's Day, and again during the October week of the Amsterdam Dance Event, the city is full to the brim; on those dates, write well ahead, because every companion's calendar fills early.

Stacy, bold and spontaneous, has an edgy, metallic sense of nightlife style and a real love of stand-up comedy; an English-language comedy show is her idea of the perfect opening act. Jasmin dances salsa, collects perfumes and takes a mixologist's interest in every cocktail list, which makes her fearless on a dance floor. Molly is warm and playful, with a passion for house music, vintage cars and a well-made drink. Milena, fierce and glamorous, brings a high-shine editorial presence that commands attention at the door.

All four belong to the collection aged 22 to 25, a good place to browse for companions who relish a late night.

A night out works best with a loose plan and a clear ending. Plan on roughly three hours, or four if dinner opens the night. The hour begins from €180; a longer night is quoted when you enquire, with the figure agreed on WhatsApp before you meet.

Nightlife is lively, but the standards of the house go wherever the evening does. Your companion stays with you rather than with the crowd, and she expects the same courtesy she would receive at a formal dinner. A guest who has had too much to drink may find the evening closed early, which is a rule rather than a judgement. Everything else about the night is yours to enjoy.

The nightlife wardrobe is its own discipline: sharper than daywear, more playful than a dinner dress, always tasteful. Tell your companion the venues on your route, and she will choose a look that works for all of them, from a sleek cocktail bar to a crowded concert hall. If your plan includes a club with a strict door, mention it, and dress accordingly yourself; the evening flows best when the two of you look like you belong together.

When the last bar closes, your companion can return with you to the hotel for a final drink in the lounge, or say goodnight at the door, as agreed at the start. A taxi from the centre reaches most hotels quickly at that hour. If you find you prefer something slower, a hotel visit or an extended booking may suit a future evening better.