Amsterdam Cocktail Bars

by Tanja
Cocktail bar Amsterdam

Cocktail bars in Amsterdam have gotten better these last few years. Still, cocktail making does not come naturally to the Dutch. Old style Dutch bars can make you a rum and coke, but that’s where it usually ends. So where to for a good cocktail bar in Amsterdam?

Here are the best cocktail bars in Amsterdam

1. Café Vesper

Café Vesper, located at Haarlemmerstraat, within 20 minutes walk from Central Station is named by many as one of the best cocktail bars in Amsterdam. On the list are exciting sounding ingredients such as apricot brandy, homemade lavender syrup, blackcurrant confiture and ginger beer. The award-winning crew responsible is ready to share their secrets because they also offer workshops.

Café Vesper. Vinkenstraat 57. Closed on Monday and Sunday.

cocktail bars amsterdam
Café Vesper is one of Amsterdam’s best cocktail bars.

2. The Flying Dutchmen

The Flying Dutchmen focus on classic cocktails. Timo and Tess are both big names in the Amsterdam cocktail scene, so you can expect the best cocktails in Amsterdam. The bar itself is small, dark and intimate. All-round a great little place to enjoy a fine cocktail.

The Flying Dutchmen. Singel 460.

Amsterdam Cocktail bar The Flying Dutchmen.
At The Flying Dutchmen.

3. Door 74

Named in a list of best cocktail bars in the world (no 29 out of 50), Door 74 can afford its exclusiveness and eccentricity. Entrance to bar Door 74 for a cocktail is solely by reservation on the same day by phoning or texting in. (+31(0)6 34 04 51 22). Inside there is a dimly lit ambiance (‘speakeasy’) with American style service. Cocktail making at Amsterdam’s Door 74 is considered a profession and an art form.

Door 74

Speakeasy cocktail bar Door 74 in Amsterdam.

4. Café Cuba

Brown bar Café Cuba serves up classic mojitos, margaritas, daiquiris and caipirinhas while you enjoy watching the crazy crowd pass by your window/table at Nieuwmarkt Square. Weekends it can get steamy and danceable with sexy salsa tunes coming from the jukebox.

Café Cuba. Nieuwmarkt 3.

Cuba, cocktail bar Nieuwmarkt
Café Cuba mixes Holland with the Carribean.

5. House of Bols Museum

Cocktail fans should not leave out a visit to House of Bols. Bols is the name of a common Dutch gin distillery. It’s a popular tourist attraction, located across the Van Gogh Museum at Museum Square. The museum is fun. You can try to guess the flavour of the Dutch Genevers and taste paper strips with sample smells.

House of Bols. Paulus Potterstraat 14.

House of Bols, Amsterdam.
Cocktail bar at House of Bols Museum, Amsterdam.

6. Hiding in Plain Sight

Hiding in Plain Sight is a hip Amsterdam cocktail bar near Waterlooplein that serves drinks for the adventurous. None of the cocktails are standard, but as this bar’s been around for some years already, quality is assured. The cocktails are also pretty loaded. Leather chairs, stylish service, jazz music: HPS is a winner.

Hiding in Plain Sight. Rapenburg 18.

cocktails amsterdam
Hiding in Plain Sight, an Amsterdam cocktail bar for the adventurous hipster.

7. OCCO

There is nothing unpretentious about cocktail bar OCCO, part of Hotel The Dylan. The bar and hotel are located in a canal mansion on Amsterdam’s most fancy canal: Herengracht. The hospitality and the clientele are very unDutch. Prices are steep. Cocktails and food are served all day.

OCCO. Herengracht 384.

Fancy cocktail at Amsterdam cocktail bar OCCO.

8. G’s Really Nice Place

For some excellent Bloody Mary’s, head to the Jordaan Quarter. At G’s, they have a whole list of them to choose from. And that is for brunch, so can combine it with a luxurious breakfast. G’s actually has three locations in Amsterdam. In Jordaan, in De Pijp and on a boat in Keizersgracht.

G’s Really Nice Place

G's Brunchboat
Bloody Mary on a boat. Only in Amsterdam.

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