8 x Snazzy Cocktail Bars

By /

cocktail bars

Amsterdam has many cocktail bars, expect small and romantic interiors with innovative cocktail menus. ‘Jenever’ is the juniper-flavored traditional liquor in the Netherlands, so why not try a classic Dutch cocktail containing this traditional ingredient. My favorite cocktail bar of all of them is probably Tales & Spirits, but check all my recommendations below!

Tales and Spirits

This centrally located cocktail bar featuring low level lighting, exposed brickwork and a selection of innovative drinks is definitely worth a visit. The cocktails are fun and taste great, and the atmosphere is warm and cosy.

€€€

Door 74

Although unnoticed and hidden away down a small street in Amsterdam, Door 74 is one of the most popular speakeasy cocktail bars in the city. The bar has a 1920s themed interior with moody and dark-wood dominated features. 

€€€

Karakter

Popular with locals, this bar shakes up a wide choice of different cocktails and G&Ts, and wine and beer. A dark and relaxing interior with a large tree (?!) inside, makes this a great bar for a pre or post dinner drink. The espresso martinis are great, and they also have a bao bar serving tasty snacks aaand a karaoke bar, should your night take you there. 

€€

Madam Bar at A'DAM Tower

Located on the 20th floor of the A’DAM tower, this bar is definitely worth a visit if just for the view alone. Entry is free after 21:30, and since it usually costs €10 to go up to the lookout anyway, you can kind of excuse the expensive cocktails! At the bottom of the A’DAM tower is a popular club called Shelter – playing techno and house music until the early hours.  

€€

Vesper Bar

Vesper Bar is a small and swanky cocktail bar just off the trendy street of Haarlemmerdijk. Featuring menus in the style of newspapers and a cocktail menu loosely inspired by James Bond, expect a sophisticated offering of negronis and martinis.

€€€

De Tulp

This tropically themed spot is popular with locals, offering a tapas-style dining experience in the early evening before transforming into a busy bar that’s open until the early hours. The tropical menu matches the vibes: fresh coconut and ginger beer, unusual cocktails, and exciting lunch dishes. They also have salsa nights every Tuesday!

€€

HPS (Hiding in Plain Sight)

This is another one of my favorite cocktail bars in Amsterdam. HPS interior is 1920s themed, with big chandeliers and crystal glasses, and the cocktail menu boasts very high quality (and strong!) cocktails. Very popular with locals and definitely worth booking a table if you want to guarantee a seat, although there are places to perch too.

€€€

Flying Dutchmen Cocktails

This is a fabulous, buzzy cocktail bar near the city center. The Flying Dutchmen serves a variety of high quality, classic cocktails seven days a week from 5pm- 4am. Definitely worth a visit.

€€€

Featured Articles