Leidseplein is particularly well-known for its outdoor cafes, clubs and many, many restaurants that are in the streets around it. There are several theaters here, and also a few cinemas.

Leidseplein tends to be the centre of celebration if soccer club Ajax wins a trophy or a championship. The city authorities rather see the celebrations outside the city centre (near the Amsterdam ArenA stadium), as the atmosphere can sometimes lead to riots.

Just off Leidseplein, at the south-east end, you find a few streets that are full of restaurants (at Korte Leidsedwarsstraat and Lange Leidsedwarsstraat). In the summer season there's a large outdoor cafe on the square.