5 Best Cocktail Bars Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a thriving craft cocktail scene with an impressive array of speakeasy-style lounges, traditional bars, pubs, and rooftop bars with a skyline view. Around every corner, you’ll find Dutch bartenders shaking up bold flavors, to keep you properly refreshed on an Amsterdam food tour.

A City That Knows Its Spirits

Amsterdam’s cocktail culture has come a long way from the city’s beer-heavy roots and traditional bruin cafés. While those cozy brown bars still have their charm, today’s Dutch cocktail scene is all about inventive mixology and elevated experiences.

Local bartenders are literally shaking things up by blending classic Dutch spirits such as jenever with globally inspired ingredients. They take the best of modern mixology techniques to reinvent cocktails with bold, creative flair. From candlelit speakeasies hidden behind unmarked doors to swanky rooftop lounges with skyline views, Amsterdam offers a cocktail bar for every mood.

5 Cocktail Bars Worth Going Out For

While Amsterdam is festooned with amazing bars, I think the following offer the best of traditional and modern cocktail culture. Some even include the opportunity to sample some great Dutch food, paired with a perfectly poured beverage.

Door 74

Photo credit: Door 74

This hidden speakeasy in the heart of Amsterdam’s Centrum district delivers a true prohibition-era experience. Door 74 is dimly lit, with vintage decor and leather banquettes that create an intimate, upscale vibe. However, it’s wise to make reservations.

The bartenders are masters of their craft, offering a choice of rotating seasonal signature cocktails. On my last visit, I tried a smoky mezcal negroni that had a lasting aroma that lingered pleasantly on my palate.

Door 74 (€15–18) – Reguliersdwarsstraat 74, 1017 BN Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Flying Dutchmen Cocktails

Located near Spui Square in the canal belt, Flying Dutchmen is a temple to classic cocktails. The vibe is buzzy yet refined, with a long wood bar and shelves stacked high with rare spirits. Co-owned by renowned mixologists Tess Posthumus and Timo Janse, this place is serious about technique.

I think this is the place to sip on a perfectly balanced Martinez or opt for a gin-forward jenever cocktail. The crowd is a mix of locals, cocktail nerds, and well-dressed groups starting their night.

Flying Dutchmen (€14–16) – Singel 460, 1017 AW Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Super Lyan

Photo credit: Super Lyan

Housed in the Kimpton De Witt hotel near Central Station, Super Lyan is playful, colorful, and a bit retro-futuristic. The cocktail menu is bold and innovative, featuring house creations like the “Mimosa Punch” or their clarified piña colada slushy.

One of the things I love about Super Lyan is that you’ll also find non-alcoholic drinks that are just as complex. It’s not the usual “Kiddie Cooler” experience you get from non-alcoholic offerings at most bars. Making Super Lyan a must-stop bar for people who choose a sober lifestyle.

Super Lyan (€12–16) – Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 3, 1012 RC Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Tales & Spirits

Tales & Spirits feels like a fairy tale bar, with a lush interior, candlelight, and theatrical presentations. It’s a cozy, whimsical space that punches far above its weight class in terms of creative cocktails.

On my last visit, I tried one of their new cocktails called “Dutch Courage.” Made from jenever, apple, ginger, and bitters. It had an aromatic punch with a smooth finish, and the intricate garnish made it feel like it was as much art as beverage. It’s a date night favorite, attracting mostly couples and cocktail lovers in their 30s and 40s.

Tales & Spirits (€14–17) – Lijnbaanssteeg 5-7, 1012 TE Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Proeflokaal Arendsnest

Photo credit: Proeflokaal Arendsnest

Proeflokaal Arendsnest is a must-visit for beer lovers, dedicated entirely to showcasing the best of Dutch brewing. Set along the Herengracht canal, its warm, wood-paneled interior feels like a classic brown café. With over 50 beers from independent Dutch breweries, you could spend an afternoon here. I’ll never forget the rich, velvety oatmeal stout I tried there—it was like sipping dark chocolate with a hint of roasted coffee.

Proeflokaal Arendsnest (€14–17) – Herengracht 90, 1015 BS Amsterdam, Netherlands.

What to Expect from Amsterdam’s Cocktail Scene

Amsterdam’s cocktail scene blends inventive mixology with a laid-back yet stylish atmosphere. Many of the city’s top bars specialize in reimagined classics like a Negroni made with a jenever base or martinis infused with beetroot or sea buckthorn. Local spirits like Dutch gin and aged jenever often take center stage.

Bartenders are typically friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to chat, so don’t hesitate to ask for a custom recommendation. Some cocktail lounges offer curated bites or small plates, while others are all about the drinks.

If you’re aiming for an intimate speakeasy, it’s wise to book ahead, especially on weekends. The general dress code is smart casual: you won’t need a jacket or tie, but leave the flip-flops and beachwear behind.

Beyond the Menu: What Makes a Great Cocktail Bar Here

In Amsterdam, a great cocktail bar is about more than just what’s in your glass. It’s the full experience, embracing the ambiance, social connections, and the vibe of the neighborhood.

Look beyond trendy social media bars, you’ll find spots where every detail counts. From the curve of the glassware to the scent of an artistically aromatic garnish. Many of the city’s top bartenders are internationally trained or pack award-winning hardware. Yet the vibe stays refreshingly unpretentious. You’re just as likely to chat with a passionate mixologist as you are to sit back and enjoy the show.

Final Thoughts: Cheers to Amsterdam’s Liquid Creativity

A great cocktail in Amsterdam is more than just a drink, it’s a story in a glass. Perhaps a moment suspended in time, or a memory waiting to happen. From intimate speakeasies tucked behind secret doors to sleek lounges with skyline views, the city’s cocktail culture is bursting with personality and innovation. Whether you’re savoring a smoky Negroni on a romantic night out, sipping something herbal and wild after a canal cruise, there are plenty of ways to add refreshment to an Amsterdam food tour.

Sources:

Arendsnest. (n.d.). Proeflokaal Arendsnest. http://www.arendsnest.nl/

Door 74. (n.d.). Door 74. http://www.finddoor74.com/

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Amsterdam food tours. Eating Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/amsterdam/

Eating Europe. (2023, April 25). Traditional Dutch food: 10 must-try dishes in the Netherlands. Eating Europe Blog. https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/traditional-dutch-food/

Flying Dutchmen Cocktails. (n.d.). Flying Dutchmen Cocktails. http://www.flyingdutchmencocktails.shop/

Super Lyan. (n.d.). Super Lyan. https://www.superlyan.com/

Tales & Spirits. (n.d.). Tales & Spirits. http://www.talesandspirits.com/