Stops We Like: Amsterdam Coffee Bar

Having met with success in its original location of Lahaska, PA, Amsterdam Coffee Bar decided to open a second location, and we could not have been happier when we learned its placement. Where the Lahaska location is rather perilous to reach as a cyclist, the second Amsterdam Coffee Bar opened in the absolute perfect location for any Bucks County cyclist.

There are two ways to access Amsterdam Coffee Bar located in the quaint river town of Point Pleasant, PA. Cyclists can get their gravel fix by riding the Delaware Canal, crossing the rickety Byram Road canal bridge, and coasting into the parking lot of Amsterdam Coffee Bar. Even better, the second set of directions include pointing the bike east and taking the satisfying mile-long descent into the town of Point Pleasant where riders can theatrically slide into outdoor seats and sip seasonal caffeinated beverages. 

Before we get ahead of ourselves, one must wonder why the curious set-up of a bar attached to an antique and art store just off the Delaware River. The building, now the site of FP Kolbe’s, was once an inn known as the Mountainside in 1689. The town became a popular vacation spot, hosting two presidents, as the steep hillsides were known for great hunting. At the turn of the last century, Point Pleasant was connected to New Jersey by a bridge, which is why Byrnam Road can be found opposite the river in New Jersey. The flood of 1955 broke the resolve of the communities’ persistent bridge replacement and have been cut off ever since.

Enter Amsterdam Coffee Bar through the enclosed porch of FP Kolbe’s and place your coffee order on the other side of the doorway.

Prior to being FP Kolbe’s the building hosted visitors. Having personally known a previous owner of the building, there are reported hauntings in the old building. And why not? There’s bound to be apparitions hanging around after three hundred years. A former worker once stated, whatever needed to be retrieved after hours when the building was locked up was saved for daylight. Perhaps the preserved bar and walk-in fireplace betray a forgotten era where ghosts are stuck in between the land of the living, fully waiting for stagecoaches to send them into the hunting grounds.

On my last visit to Amsterdam Coffee Bar, located on the eastern side of FP Kolbe’s, I navigated around two cyclists who took the descent off the Byrnam Road bridge. We made our way in together, the autumnal leaves whipping in eddies stirred by the intensifying gusts. Today would be a great day for warm coffee. What can be appreciated at Amsterdam Coffee Bar is the simple menu. There’s the obvious coffee bar, but Amsterdam also features matcha options and specialty selections. There’s also a bright welcoming atmosphere where the gang can sit back and ogle each other’s bikes. On this day, after leaving, a large paceline came charging down the canal path, possibly counting down the miles before accessing an espresso. Amsterdam also offers small bites, notably Liege-inspired waffles to keep the theme going.

Point Pleasant has seen a remarkable renaissance in the past few years. Amsterdam Coffee Bar has been the perfect addition to other businesses such as Dharma Bums vegetarian restaurant and Boo’s Brewing taphouse, all walking distance from both the coffee house and the canal. It’s our directions that make Amsterdam Coffee Bar convenient: we take the screaming descent into Point Pleasant, load ourselves up with copious amounts of caffeine from the coffee menu, and rely solely on the espresso shot to climb back up the piedmont and back to our office. Wouldn’t it be nice to snag a KOM on the way? Even if that doesn’t happen, it’s still great knowing Amsterdam Coffee Bar fills a gap our area has needed for a while.