Best cocktail bars in Amsterdam

LuminAir

This sky lounge on the top floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel is still one of Amsterdam's best rooftop bars. Especially since its spectacular renovation and name change to LuminAir. Located on the Oosterdok next to Amsterdam CS, you look out over the city centre, the water and far beyond. This is the perfect place to take your romantic partner or international friends to make a lasting impression.

Tipple of choice

The Chinook, with corn, miso, smoked paprika and habanaro, will enlighten your night. Also available in alcohol-free option.

LuminAir | Oosterdoksstraat 4

NEXT (NDSM)

Across the IJ River, at the converted shipyard, you'll discover NEXT, a chic New York-style bar with views of the water and the vibrant harbour lights. The NDSM neighbourhood is a hub of creativity and culture, which is reflected in the drinks offered. The menu features a mix of inventive and bold options. Here, you'll always be ready to order your next drink.

Tipple of choice

Dr. Earth. Drink your greens. It’s doctor’s orders.

NEXT NDSM | NDSM-kade 2

Rosalia's Menagerie

Exploring lively Nieuwmarkt, you'd be forgiven for walking past Rosalia’s Menagerie among all the hustle. But tucked inconspicuously away in a typically charming Amsterdam townhouse is one of the city’s best cocktail bars, where its lack of prominent signage makes it all the more special. It takes its name from its original purpose as a holding place for travellers with exotic pets who needed a central location to leave them. Now, it leans on its animal history, with drinks and decor inspired by them, all of which lends the bar a slightly mythical apothecary feel. And while the atmosphere is cosy, it’s the cocktails that keep people coming back (sans animals) with a range of classic and unique drinks and a menu that breaks down each ingredient and flavour palate within each cocktail, so you know what to compare it to.

Tipple of choice

The corn-husk infused ‘Corn Corn Corn’ (trust us) and 'Nettle + Lemon Martini' for sharp, herby goodness. 

Rosalia's Menagerie | Kloveniersburgwal 20

Super Lyan

This impeccably stylish bar is the first international venue from the Mr Lyan team, who brought us some of London’s most well-regarded cocktail establishments. Located on the ground floor of the Kimpton de Witt boutique hotel, the striking futuristic interiors work in playful juxtaposition with the 17th-century building. Tuck into kick-ass bites and an equally forward-thinking drinks list that showcases fresh and sumptuous twists on classic concoctions to suit a sweeter palette. But should another craving strike, the mixologists here are masters at sussing out your signature drink and creating a custom cocktail to fit the mood.

Tipple of choice

Harvey Wallbanger: a creative take on the classic drink with pumpkin wine, squid ink absinthe and bright flavours from Patron Silver tequila and citrus fruits.

Super Lyan | Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 3

Pulitzer's Bar

Located in the Hotel Pulitzer – one of Amsterdam’s finest luxury hotels spread through a maze of interlinked 17th-century canal houses – Pulitzer’s Bar exudes a stylish gentleman’s club vibe. The bar comprises three different spaces, each with its own décor. When the sun is shining, head outdoors to the beautiful patio garden. Or sink into the velvet armchairs, choosing from over 50 cocktails as you tuck your ears into some live jazz.

Tipple of choice

Campfire Old Fashioned: a soul-warming whiskey blend with pumpkin seeds, bitters, smoke and marshmallows.

Pulitzer’s Bar | Prinsengracht 315-331

Vesper

With its seductive nod to James Bond, Vesper Bar feels like the quintessential drinking den full to the brim with spirit. Whilst their inventive cocktail menu changes seasonally, the standard is consistently delicious. You’ll be met with warm, genuine hospitality and the feeling that everyone is welcome in this cosy, non-exclusive living room bar.

Tipple of choice

Pistachio: a wild combination of Bobby’s gin, lime, blueberry puree and pistachio syrup.

Vesper Bar | Vinkenstraat 57

Flying Dutchmen

From the same owners as Dutch Courage, this cocktail joint on Singel focuses on perfectly nailing classic tipples and boasts the most extensive back bar in the country with over 800 unique spirits. Flying Dutchmen champions the Netherlands’ emerging mixology scene with a highly knowledgeable team who love to tell you the stories behind the different cocktails and spirits.

Tipple of choice

Angel’s Advocate: tradition meets modernity in this inventive mix of gin, lemon, vanilla syrup, Advocaat and cardamon bitters.

Flying Dutchmen | Singel 460

Bar Mokum

Mokum is one of Amsterdam’s most well-regarded cocktail establishments. The back bar sparkles with delicious spirits and liqueurs showcasing some of the city’s finest distilleries, and the drinks list itself is an ode to the Netherlands. Prop up at the bar here for a mandatory first step in your education on Dutch drinking culture.

Tipple of choice

Gleuvenrijder: a genever espresso martini infused with an infusion of stroopwafel, coffee liqueur and salted caramel syrup.

Bar Mokum | Ferdinand Bolstraat 11

Tales & Spirits

One of Amsterdam’s most promising spots for innovative food and cocktails, the attentive and knowledgeable bartenders make you feel right at home in its classy yet quirky interior. Tales & Spirits plays residence to award-winning mixologists, who stay active in the progressing of Amsterdam’s cocktail scene. Discover its playful, delicious spirit for yourself.

Tipple of choice

Fallen Lady: a sexy combination of Ketel One vodka, Mozart dark chocolate liqueur, raspberry syrup, lemon and Bitterman’s Burlesque Bitters.

Tales & Spirits | Lijnbaanssteeg 5-7

Door 74

Hidden behind an unassuming door, accessible by phone reservation or a (very) friendly smile, Door 74 is the first bar in the Netherlands that pays homage to the bygone Speakeasy era. This secret drinking hole was opened as a place of solace for those wanting to sample exceptional and original drinks, with the talented bartenders creating new concoctions – daily!

Tipple of choice

Searching For Black Matter is an out-of-this-world creation featuring Botran Solera rum, marzipan syrup, and dried pineapple bitters.

Door 74 | Reguliersdwarsstraat 74

Hiding in Plain Sight

HPS, as the locals call it, quickly earned its reputation as one of the best cocktail spots in the city. Enjoy top-quality drinks in a seductive twenties-style lounge bar that was once a brown café. The bartenders embrace classic flavour combinations and take pride in their experimentation with originality. Keep an ear out for live music events in the bar, too.

Tipple of choice

Mango Crusta: a celebration of summer flavours with spiced rum, aged rum, clement creole shrub (a cordial made from fruit, sugar and vinegar), mango syrup and lime.

Hiding in Plain Sight | Rapenburg 18

Dutch Courage

Legend has it that the phrase ‘Dutch Courage’ dates back to the Eighty Year’s War (1568-1648) when English soldiers witnessed the Dutch swigging huge gulps of jenever to take the edge off the morning battles. This cosy cocktail bar on Zeedijk pays homage to historic Dutch liqueurs and spirits, featuring over 150 varieties of jenevers mixed into delicious cocktails. Inside, you’ll also find the world’s first kopstootje vending machine customised to serve three types of jenever, paired with a cold beer on the side – only in Amsterdam, right?

Tipple of choice

Kesbeke Martini: a healthy mix of jenever, dry vermouth, clove and star anise-infused pickle brine.

Dutch Courage | Zeedijk 12

Twenty Third Bar

Epitomising decadence, this hotel bar offers guests a few unique things: a sweeping panoramic view of the city from one of the highest spots in Amsterdam, an elegant snack menu from the Michelin-starred adjoining restaurant, Ciel Bleu and an array of rather indulgent champagne and classic cocktails. Stay classy.

Tipple of choice

Kir Royale: a classic and elegant pairing of Crème de Cassis and Besserat de Bellefon champagne.

Twenty Third Bar, Hotel Okura | Ferdinand Bolstraat 333

Bar Twenty Seven

The Rolls Royce of Amsterdam’s cocktail bar scene, Bar Twenty Seven, exudes luxury and elegance from the flowing champagne to the plush furnishings. The bartenders knock up exquisite versions of all the classics alongside remarkable innovations from their extensive selection of whiskies, rums, tequilas and cognacs. Personal attention from the staff and panoramic city views give this bar a five-star edge.

Tipple of choice

Geisha: a sumptuous slurp of Nikka from the Barrel, Laird’s applejack, matcha, honey, green apple and yuzu foam.

Bar Twenty Seven | Dam 27

Bar Feijoa

On a corner of the Reguliersdwarsstraat, the most colourful street in Amsterdam, you'll find Feijoa. This peculiar and difficult-to-pronounce name is that of a fruit from New Zealand; inside, though, this place is anything but difficult, with a fun tiki vibe that will get you into the party spirit. The barman shakes classic cocktails and original concoctions with ingredients like cucumber, balsamic vinegar and…feijoa—a perfect place to start an unforgettable night in Amsterdam's bustling nightlife.

Tipple of choice

Sauvage: a love story between Don Julio Blanco, mezcal, fino sherry, lime and Bintang kafir syrup.

Feijoa | Vijzelstraat 39