There’s nothing quite like a perfectly crafted cocktail, enjoyed with friends or those you love in an exciting new city. And for cocktail bars and workshops Amsterdam is difficult to beat – the city has a variety of fantastic places to get a perfectly mixed drink, from dimly lit speakeasy bars to sophisticated rooftops with DJs and views to die for.
What makes a good cocktail bar? Great drinks, certainly. But also, ambience, attentive service and location. Bearing these essential ingredients in mind, we’ve shaken up a few of our favourites. For the best cocktail bars Amsterdam is lucky enough to offer, read on and see which takes your fancy…
Check out the best cocktail bars Amsterdam has to offer
Although many of Amsterdam’s bars offer cocktails, if you’re looking for a specialist cocktail bar where you’ll be served something made with skill and care, there are plenty of options. Many of the smarter hotels in the city have cosy cocktail bars (The Waldorf Astoria’s Vault Bar, Bar TwentySeven in the Dam Square hotel of the same name and the bar at the Pulitzer all offer top-rate cocktail selections), you’ll be spoiled for choice, but if you’d prefer to explore some of the spots where you can find a good mix of locals and visitors, it’s always good to get away from hotels.
Some exceptions to the rule include bars like W Lounge, Skylounge Amsterdam and Twenty Third Bar, all of which are part of hotels but are often frequented by Amsterdammers due to their incredible views over the city.
Where to find cocktail bars in Amsterdam city centre
There are plenty of great cocktail bars in Amsterdam city centre, but many are hidden from view. Bars like Door 74 and Law & Order offer the ambience of prohibition-era speakeasy bars, complete with intimate lighting and art deco-style furnishings. These award-winning bars are staffed by the some of the city’s top mixologists and, whilst they offer some fantastically creative menus, the staff are happy to mix your favourite classic or create something entirely new for you! They certainly know how to treat their customers and have acquired a loyal following of cocktail-crazy locals, expats and tourists.
Good Cocktails Bars in Amsterdam
For those who prefer a more modern style cocktail bar to start off the night with great music and drinks but which is close to the clubs, Leidseplein’s NJOY is a popular choice. Another Leidseplein favourite, Suzy Wong, is one of the smartest bars in the city and, with top quality cocktails and live DJs playing throughout the evening, is a great option for those really wanting to live it up in the city centre (and have the money to do so – Suzy Wong is excellent but the drinks have a price tag to match).
If you’d like to take a tour of rooftop bars, our friends at We Are Amsterdam offer just this. Your guide will take you to several of the city’s best rooftop bars where you can enjoy some cocktails, fine wines or craft beers whilst looking out across the incredible cityscape as dusk falls.