Where can you enjoy the best cocktails in Amsterdam? We did the tough job of sampling cocktails around town so we could tell you all about them. You can thank us later!

20+ BEST COCKTAILS IN AMSTERDAM

Sure you can grab a Baco Light or jenever shot at most bars in Amsterdam. But there are a few spots around town dedicated to sophisticated and swanky cocktails.

Here are some of our favorite spots to sip a cocktail in Amsterdam.

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

If you enjoy a carefully handcrafted cocktail in an elegant yet cozy environment, we have a tip for you. Run, don’t walk to Hiding in Plain Sight!

This amazing cocktail bar has been named the best bar in Amsterdam at least once. And deservedly so! It has beautiful decor but even more importantly it has delicious cocktails and friendly, attentive staff.

Be sure to make a reservation, especially for weekend evenings. Sit at the bar, at one of the tall tables near the bar or best of all, relax upstairs in the charming lounge area.

Hiding in Plain Sight
Rapenburg 18, Amsterdam

DOOR 74

A secret spot hidden behind a non-descript entry, Door 74 is the perfect place for a clandestine rendezvous. In order to discover the street address and gain entry, patrons must call a secret phone number. Reservations are required but can only be secured by calling that same day. Though the secret speakeasy thing might seem a little silly, we love Door 74 and wouldn’t change a thing.

In the pleasantly dark ambiance it is easy to lose track of time and spend many hours in this relaxing space. Upon entry the bartender takes your coat and leads you to your table. Water and snacks appear along with the drink menu. Order something from the list of creative cocktails or just tell the bartender what flavors you enjoy and they will whip up a custom concoction.

The drinks are very tasty and creative but what we like best about Door 74 is the service. Everyone is very friendly, and they make sure your water glass and snack bowls are always full. I daresay we felt quite at home! Check it out, if you are lucky enough to find out that secret phone number!

TALES & SPIRITS

Hidden away on a quiet little alley off the Singel canal, Tales & Spirits tempts the cocktail lover to stop and stay awhile in their elegant bar.

The interior features dark wood and glass chandeliers, and is the perfect setting to relax with an expertly crafted cocktail in hand and swap stories with your companions. Unlike most cocktail bars in Amsterdam, T&S also serves food! Our friends always order the fried chicken.

Cocktails here are dangerously delicious, we love the Fallen Lady, a raspberry chocolate concoction that goes down super smooth. But beware, the headache the next day after drinking four of them is not so smooth!

Tales & Spirits
Lijnbaanssteeg 5-7, Amsterdam

BAR OLDENHOF

If you want to go have some cocktails with your manly man friends, we’d heartily recommend Bar Oldenhof. The clubby interior is cozy chic with leather chairs and dim lighting with a mysterious neon green glow. Oldenhof offers expertly crafted cocktails as well as microbrews, whisky and other spirits. But it’s not just for the guys, ladies love Oldenhof too. We are also big fans of the sunny yellow exterior.

Open until 3am on the weekends, Bar Oldenhof could be your first or last stop of the night. We’d recommend starting out here on the earlier side as the cocktails are delicious and mighty strong and you want to be able to appreciate the quality.

We like that Bar Oldenhof gives you nutty nibbles to enjoy with your drinks. A welcome touch to hopefully avoid that hangover the next day.

Bar Oldenhof
Elandsgracht 84, Amsterdam

VESPER BAR

An excellent choice for a celebratory night out, Vesper is located on a charming corner in the Jordaan neighborhood. Their seasonal cocktail list changes regularly but the drinks are consistently delicious.

Our favorite Vesper libation is the popular “Porn Star Martini”, a frothy passionfuit concoction with a champagne chaser. You can never go wrong with passionfruit or champagne in our opinion, even if it is embarrassing to order this hilariously titled drink, and unfortunately, you won’t be served an adult model.

We’d recommend Vesper as the perfect spot for a pre- or post- dinner drink. The compact space can get busy on weekend nights, so it might be best to visit with a smaller group.

Vesper
Vinkenstraat 57, Amsterdam

POREM

Located behind an unmarked door on the Geldersekade, Porem is dark and cozy and serves classic cocktails. The focus is on the cool ambiance and delicious drinks. Are you hungry? Order some dim sum or sushi to go along with your cocktails.

Porem
Geldersekade 17, Amsterdam

• More Favorite Amsterdam Cocktail Bars •

Here are a few more of our favorites, some new and some old. Many are restaurants serving food as well as cocktails, and some are normal bars that also have terrific mixed drinks. Check them out!

LOTTI’S AT THE HOXTON
Lotti’s is the restaurant and bar at The Hoxton hotel. Their signature cocktails are fabulous and they can also make classics and creative cocktails just for you. Ask Max for the Lotti’s 255.

Lotti’s
Herengracht 255, Amsterdam

PULITZERS BAR
Tastefully decorated with cozy seating areas, the Pulitzer Hotel bar makes a mean cocktail. Especially awesome on a rainy or cold day, hold a cocktail in hand while you sit on a velvet chair and gaze out the window on the canals.

Pulitzers Bar

CUT THROAT
Not just a super cool barber shop, Cut Throat now has a cocktail bar and restaurant in a side area of the Beurs van Berlage. What a setting! Sip your cocktail while watching sexy bearded and tattooed men trimming the beards of other bearded and tattooed men. Or if that is not your cup of pimm’s, get a haircut yourself (men only). Cut Throat has an array of creative cocktails and don’t miss the food! Tasty tacos, hot wings and chicken and waffles are on the menu. Brunch too!

Cut Throat
Beurs 5, Amsterdam

JD WILLIAMS WHISKY BAR
JD William’s is a terrific whisky bar in the heart of the city in the 9 straatjes. With lots of nice whiskys and whisky cocktails plus beer on the menu, there is a lot to like. They serve fusion food too so you can put something in your tummy to soak up the whisky.

JD William’s Whisky Bar
Prinsenstraat 5, Amsterdam

LION NOIR
A restaurant and cocktail lounge on the Reguliersdwarsstraat, Lion Noir is owned by the same group that operates popular spots BoCinq and Jimmy Woo. The ambiance in the lounge is definitely different than most Amsterdam hotspots, with what they call a “unique, warm and home-like atmosphere”. You’ll see hanging plants, intriguing paintings, and taxidermy animals around the room which is dimly lit to promote an intimate environment. It all combines to create an elegant creepy-curio-chic vibe.

The cocktail list has all kinds of yummy concoctions including popular drink favorites like the bellini, margarita and mojito. We tried the Dutch Garden which combines cucumber and elderflower with genever for a refreshing treat. The food menu also looks delicious and there is a lovely dining room upstairs for dinner before or after your drinks.

Lion Noir
Reguliersdwarsstraat 28, Amsterdam

W HOTEL BAR
Cocktails with a view! The W is known for their chic interiors and stylish guests. It goes without saying you’ll find that at the upstairs bar in Amsterdam as well. The balconies have views on Dam Square and what’s more there is even a swimming pool!

Pop downstairs to the Duchess for sophisticated cocktails in a beautiful setting.

W Hotel Bar

FEIJOA
Sleek modern Feijoa was the place to see and be seen for a while. The cocktails are tasty and the decor is cool and modern. We’d recommend Feijoa if you are with a mixed group of cocktail sippers and regular beer drinkers as it is a bit less of a dedicated cocktail spot.

In case you were wondering how to pronounce Feijoa, we don’t have a clue! Supposedly it is a New Zealand fruit… Try saying “fey-joe-ah”? It seems to work for us.

Feijoa
Vijzelstraat 39, Amsterdam

BO-CINQ
Modern meets rustic at this lounge on the Prinsengracht that is popular with groups. They recently redesigned the interior and changed up the menu so go check it out!

BO 5
Prinsengracht 494, Amsterdam

IZAKAYA
Located in the Sir Albert Hotel, Izakaya is a modern Japanese restaurant with style. Sit inside or out on their big terrace. The cocktails are smooth and lovely and pair perfectly with fusion bites like spicy peruvian tuna and green tea smoked lamb skewers. Don’t miss the special Sunday brunches here, they are a real party!

Izakaya
Albert Cuypstraat 2-6, Amsterdam

HENRY’S BAR
Thursday through Saturday are the nights for Henry’s Bar in Oost. The sister to Bar Bukowski, Henry’s has a fun cocktail menu with inspiring quotes from Mr. Henry Charles Bukowski like “I don’t like jail, they’ve got the wrong kind of bars in there.” The menu even includes cocktails to be shared with groups of 2 to 4 people. Try the food, too!

Henry’s Bar
Oosterpark 10, Amsterdam

5&33
A modern trendy restaurant, bar and lounge in the swanky art’otel, 5&33 has a nice selection of cocktails to enjoy before or after your meal. Or just stop in for a drink! The list includes around 30 creative and classic cocktails in addition to the standard libations. Check their website for special events. They also serve a special Bloody Mary brunch.

5 and 33
Martelaarsgracht 5, Amsterdam

THE BUTCHER BAR
Hidden in the back of The Butcher burger joint in de Pijp is a secret cocktail bar! Reserve a table and they’ll tell you the latest password. Reportedly it is always some kind of meat, but your guess is as good as ours. Food is also available, and what goes better with a classic cocktail than a juicy burger and fries? Don’t miss the new Butcher Social Club at the A’dam Tower in Noord as well.

The Butcher
Albert Cuypstraat 129, Amsterdam

SALMUERA
Are you a fan of mezcal? Then make your way to Salmuera for dinner and be sure to try a cocktail or two. This hotspot specializes in Latin American cuisine and their cocktails take advantage of the liquors of the region. We love the smoky flavors combined with sweet and tangy fruits in their special margarita. Try it!

Salmuera
Rozengracht 106, Amsterdam

MYSTIQUE
Head downstairs to the chic bar at Mystique and order up one of the cocktails from their menu. Or just ask the friendly bartenders to make something special for you, they will kindly oblige with a delicious concoction. While we enjoyed the cocktails from the menu, we were extra impressed with the a sweet and tart lemon meringue cocktail creation. Yum!

Wednesday is rib night so don’t miss the opportunity for a midweek celebration!

Mystique Amsterdam
Utrechtsestraat 30, Amsterdam

HOUSE BAR
The decor is gorgeous and the cocktails creative at this bar located in the Klimpton Amsterdam. Pop next door at Wyers for a delicious dinner as well .

House Bar

RAZMATAZ
A relaxed restaurant with friendly service, Razmataz has a great G&T menu but also other cocktails as well. The end of the week gets a bit more fun with their Pitcher Fridays when yummy Vermouth cocktail pitchers are a bargain!

Razmataz
Hugo de Grootplein 7, Amsterdam

KEVIN BACON BAR
Yummy Asian food and delicious cocktails are the thing at this unpretentious restaurant on the other side of Hotel Not Hotel in Amsterdam West.

Kevin Bacon Bar
Hotel Not Hotel

CAFE PANACHE
This restaurant has not one but two cocktail bars! Take a seat at the bar inside the restaurant while you wait for your dinner table and then head to the cozy small cocktail bar afterward for a nightcap.

Cafe Panache
Ten Katestraat 117, Amsterdam

OOLONG
Nominated for Best Cocktail Bar 2014 by Het Parool, Oolong is a sleek eatery pairing cocktails with dim sum and Chinese finger foods. The cocktails are exotic and have evocative names like “Forest Monastery” and “The Drunk Monk”.

Oolong
Ferdinand Bolstraat 13, Amsterdam

Do you have a favorite cocktail bar in Amsterdam?

In the mood for a boozy brunch in Amsterdam? We’ve got tips for you!

Also be sure to take a look at our list of favorite wine bars in Amsterdam and the best craft beer cafes in the city. And don’t forget our top spots for a good G&T!

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20 BEST COCKTAIL BARS IN AMSTERDAM