Checkpoint Charlie, Scrabble, and Drum & Bass Dreams in Amsterdam

So there we were… Amsterdam, Checkpoint Charlie, and a well worn Scrabble board. Just me and B, heads down over our tiles, attempting to outwit each other with a solidly average vocabulary and a lot of questionable two-letter words

It wasn’t just any game, though, this was a full-on Scrabble session in one of my favorite little hangouts in Amsterdam. The Checkpoint Charlie pub has this effortlessly cool vibe, filled with mismatched chairs, neon signs, and that grungy yet cozy feeling only Amsterdam can deliver on a rainy day

I have to admit, I’m not exactly a Scrabble wizard. I mean, the stakes weren’t high or anything, but anytime I manage to land something over three letters, it feels like I’ve unlocked the mysteries of the universe

B, on the other hand, would slap down words I hadn’t heard since high school English lit. There’s a special kind of humility in getting utterly roasted over a board game that’s supposed to be “educational.” Our game quickly devolved into throwing down words that were probably real and maybe spelled correctly if you squinted. “Zax,” “Qi,” and other high scoring mini words made frequent visits, and, honestly, I’m convinced there’s a secret peak Scrabble Illuminati out there hoarding all the high value letter combinations

The pub itself is like this funky blend of a classic neighborhood bar and someone’s artsy basement, and I mean that as the highest compliment. There’s that warm, slightly worn feeling that makes you want to hang out there for hours and chill, which is exactly what we did. Checkpoint Charlie doesn’t serve up Michelin star food or artisanal cocktails, but the beer looks cold, the staff are cool, and the vibe is pure Amsterdammy. And there’s something about playing Scrabble in a place that feels like the inside of an indie record cover that just works

The place wasn’t just about conquering (or, in my case, attempting to conquer) the Scrabble board. This pub is where I also met up with another friend who shares my love for DnB another day. Over a pint, we started talking about setting up a Drum & Bass open deck, and by the end of the night, we’d hatched a plan to make it happen

Because nothing says let’s make some dreams happen like an impulsive brainstorm session in a slightly chaotic pub. It was one of those perfect nights where everything clicks, and you leave with a head full of ideas and a warm glow that has nothing to do with the beer

So here’s to Checkpoint Charlie, part pub, part Scrabble battleground, part birthplace of drum and bass dreams. Whether you’re dropping words, phat bassline plans, or just hanging out with friends who somehow tolerate your Scrabble skills (or lack of), it’s a place that reminds you how good life can be when it’s just about spending time with good people and making memories that’ll last way beyond the final score