Originally Posted by
Alex71
I think that explanation is spot on. Gemütlicher Abend for me would mean on a cold night staying at home on the sofa, having a cup of tea or a glass of wine, lighting a candle and maybe watching a DVD. Going to a crowded place would be the opposite of gemütlich.
Sorry, but I think you're still missing it. Both the German and Dutch versions have, as I wrote above, a social aspect to them. Staying by yourself either at home or at a pub is neither gemütlich or gezellig. Doing it with some friends (even new ones) is (or can be).