The Best Cocktail Bars in Amsterdam: Where to Sip in Style
If Amsterdam were a cocktail, it would be something bold, creative, and just a little cheeky — exactly like the city’s bar scene. From award-winning bars to chic hotel lounges and laid-back hidden gems, Amsterdam is packed with places to enjoy superb cocktails.
Whether you’re into smoky Old Fashioneds, tropical tiki vibes, or experimental concoctions you can’t even pronounce (but will love): these are the best cocktail bars in Amsterdam you need to know.
Prefer to sip on your own private boat? Have our team create the best private cocktail cruise for you and your best friends!
Top Cocktail Bars Amsterdam Centre
Before we dive into our favorite cocktail bars in Amsterdam, let’s be honest: the best cocktail bars can be found in the centre of Amsterdam. The best part about this news? You can hop from one top cocktail bar to the next!
Door74 – The OG Speakeasy
Perfect for a cozy, immersive cocktail experience with expertly balanced drinks.
Door74, right in the centre of Amsterdam, is where the Amsterdam speakeasy scene began, and it still reigns supreme. It’s one of the hidden cocktail bars in Amsterdam, right behind an unassuming door in the city centre, is all about moody lighting, smooth jazz, and killer cocktails. There’s no standing room, so you’ll get a seat and table service — which means you can sip your Negroni in peace like the cocktail royalty you are.
📍 Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 74, 1017 BN Amsterdam
👉 Website: finddoor74.com
🍸 What to order: Whatever’s on the seasonal menu — they always have a twist on classics
Pro tip: Book ahead – it’s small and gets packed fast!
Law & Order – Bar Meets Courtroom Drama
Laidback yet refined – ideal for a relaxed evening out.
Fancy drinking in a courtroom? Law & Order is part cocktail bar, part immersive theatre experience. The bar is styled like an old courthouse, complete with themed drinks like “Guilty as Charged” or “The Witness.” It’s quirky, theatrical, and the cocktails are as sharp as their concept.
📍 Address: Voetboogstraat 4, 1012 XL Amsterdam
👉 Website: lawandorderbar.com
🍸 What to order: “The Verdict,” a bold drink with smoky mezcal and a punch of citrus
Pro tip: Go with friends — the space is made for sharing stories over creative cocktails.
Super Lyan – Colour, Energy, and a Dash of Funk
Innovative menus and vibrant atmosphere.
Located in the Kimpton De Witt hotel, Super Lyan is the brainchild of award-winning bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr. Lyan). The vibe here is electric – think neon, fun music, and cocktails that are playful but seriously well-crafted. Their drinks list features unexpected flavour combos that somehow just work.
📍 Address: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 3, 1012 RC Amsterdam
👉 Website: superlyan.com
🍸 What to order: The “Mr Lyan’s Beeswax Old Fashioned” – it’s legendary
Pro tip: Pop in early for happy hour energy without the late-night crowd.
Vesper Bar – Cool & Classy in the Jordaan
Excellent craftsmanship, with mocktail options too.
This chic, compact cocktail bar in the Amsterdam ordaan is a favourite among locals and tourists alike. Inspired by James Bond’s “Vesper Martini,” it serves a mix of flawless classics and adventurous signature drinks. It’s one of those places where the bartender just gets your mood and creates something perfect for you.
📍 Address: Vinkenstraat 57, 1013 JM Amsterdam
👉 Website: vesperbar.nl
🍸 What to order: The namesake “Vesper Martini” — you know you want to
Pro tip: Ideal for pre-dinner cocktails if you’re dining nearby in the Jordaan.
Zum Barbarossa – Tiki Heaven
Relaxed, bohemian atmosphere – great for unwinding.
Step into cokctail bar Zum Barbarossa in Amsterdam and you’ll instantly feel like you’ve been transported to a tropical island. Bamboo decor, tiki mugs, and rum-heavy drinks with flamboyant garnishes make this one of the most fun spots in town. If you’re craving something fruity (and Instagram worthy), this is the place.
📍 Address: Voetboogstraat 1, 1012 XK Amsterdam
👉 Website: zumbarbarossa.com
🍸 What to order: A classic Mai Tai or something with a flamboyant pineapple garnish
Pro tip: Come in groups — their punch bowls are made for sharing.
Pulitzer Bar – Five-Star Glamour
Classy setting with zero-alcohol drinks that are anything but boring.
Tucked inside the iconic Pulitzer Hotel, this bar breathes and radiates sophistication. Think leather chairs, candlelight, and a drinks menu that blends timeless elegance with modern creativity. The bartenders here take their craft seriously, so expect cocktails that are as much art as they are drinks.
📍 Address: Prinsengracht 323, 1016 GZ Amsterdam
👉 Website: pulitzeramsterdam.com
🍸 What to order: A bespoke cocktail — just tell them your favourite flavours and let the magic happen
Pro tip: Perfect for a romantic date night or celebrating something special.
Flying Dutchmen Cocktails – A Temple to the Craft
Recommended by locals for its originality and relaxed feel.
Owned by Dutch bartending legends, Flying Dutchmen is all about precision and passion. This Amsterdam cocktail bar is where you go to experience a cocktail made with obsessive attention to detail, from the perfect ice cube to the exact garnish twist. It’s popular with the industry crowd, so you know it’s legit.
📍 Address: Singel 460, 1017 AW Amsterdam
👉 Website: flyingdutchmencocktails.nl
🍸 What to order: A bold classic like the Sazerac or Martinez
Pro tip: Ask for recommendations if you’re unsure — the staff love guiding you.
Tales & Spirits – Drinks with a Story
Creative presentations – great if you’re game for something different.
This cocktail bar in Amasterdam is legendary for a reason: the drinks aren’t just delicious, they’re served with a narrative and a smile. Every cocktail on the menu tells a story, and the bartenders are true entertainers. The eclectic interior and lively atmosphere make it feel like a hidden treasure chest of flavours.
📍 Address: Lijnbaanssteeg 5–7, 1012 TE Amsterdam
👉 Website: talesandspirits.com
🍸 What to order: Their “Zombie” is infamous — but beware, it’s strong!
Pro tip: Go hungry – their bar bites are just as creative as the drinks.
Cocktail Bars Amsterdam Oost
Stylisch rooftop bars and upbeat picks? Try these three cocktail bars in Amsterdam Oost (East)!
Fitz’s Bar – A luxurious 1920s-style cocktail bar in Pillows Hotel Maurits, perfect for sophisticated drinks with a classic twist.
Skybar Malabar – At Hotel Jakarta, this tropical-themed rooftop features inventive cocktails in a green, breezy setting.
Canvas – A high-up bar offering panoramic views and creative cocktails: great for sunset sips above the city.
Cocktail Bars Amsterdam West
Looking for Cool, Casual and Classy cocktail bars? Try one of these three cocktail bars (or all!) in Amsterdam West.
Café Panache – A cozy spot in Oud-West that transitions seamlessly from casual bites to creative cocktails in the evening.
Floor17 – A rooftop bar with daring, skyline-level cocktails and a view that elevates the night.
Rum Barrel West – A tiki-inspired cocktail bar serving up tropical flavors with homemade syrups and island vibes.
Cocktail Bars Amsterdam Zuid
When you’re in Amsterdam Zuid, try one of the cocktail bars below for delicious cocktails.
Bar Mokum – A tribute to the city’s spirit, Bar Mokum serves artisanal cocktails using locally distilled ingredients.
The Lemonman Bar – Housed in a historic Citroën building by Stadionplein, The Lemonman Bar offers inventive, fresh cocktails inspired by Mediterranean ingredients.
Cocktail Bars Amsterdam Noord
Maybe something trendy and creative is what you’re after. Try Corner Stone or the EYE bar/restaurant in Amsterdam Noord!
Corner Store – A vibey cocktail bar with a terrace on the waterfront—it’s hidden in name, not in experience.
EYE Bar-Restaurant – Located at the Eye Museum, this spot offers cocktails with stellar views over the IJ river.
Final Sip: Where to Start?
Amsterdam’s cocktail scene is as diverse as the city itself. If you want something upscale and refined, start with Pulitzer Bar or Vesper. For a quirky night out, Tales & Spirits or Law & Order will deliver. And if you’re after fun, colour, and rum-fuelled tiki madness, Zum Barbarossa is your place.
Better yet, why not start with a Private Pure Boats Cruise or Spectacular Evening Cruise, fill up on delicious Dutch snacks, then head to one of these bars for a nightcap? The perfect way to end a day of Amsterdam magic.
