Best Cocktail Bars in Amsterdam: 10 Picks for 2026

Essentially Amsterdam · October 6, 2026

Photo: istolethetv / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You can have a great cocktail in Amsterdam on almost any night of the week.

The hard part is picking the right room for your mood, since the city’s best bars range from hidden speakeasies to award-listed lounges and quiet canal-side spots.

For most people, Super Lyan is the best cocktail bar in Amsterdam: it is listed among Europe’s 50 Best Bars, it takes walk-ins, and its signature cocktails cost €16. If you want a seat that is guaranteed, book Door 74.

If you want a quiet canal setting, head to Rosalia’s Menagerie.

Each pick below notes its booking policy, so you know if you can walk in or should plan ahead.

Quick picks:

Best overall: Super Lyan, for award-level drinks with no booking needed.
Best for a guaranteed seat: Door 74, with seat-only reservations.
Best for a quiet date: Rosalia’s Menagerie, on one of the city’s oldest canals.
Best for a view: LuminAir, a rooftop hotel bar.

1) Tales & Spirits

Tales & Spirits is one of the long-standing names in Amsterdam’s craft cocktail scene.

It sits on the Lijnbaanssteeg, a narrow lane in the old centre close to the Singel canal, which makes it an easy stop if you are already in the area around Dam Square.

The room feels warm and a little old-fashioned, with plenty of wood and soft light.

It suits a relaxed first drink before dinner, or a longer evening if you like to chat with the bartenders about what goes into your glass.

Some useful points before you go:

It is in the city centre, so walking or cycling is easier than driving.
The room is small, so weekend evenings fill up fast.
The menu changes over time, so ask the staff what is new.

If you are building a central bar crawl, Tales & Spirits pairs well with Super Lyan and Rosalia’s Menagerie.

All three sit within a short walk of each other.

2) Super Lyan

Super Lyan describes itself as one of Europe’s 50 Best Bars and the number one bar in the Netherlands.

It sits inside a 17th-century Dutch house on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, part of the Kimpton De Witt hotel, and is the first venue outside the UK from Mr Lyan, the team behind London bars such as Lyaness.

The mood is casual, with warm service and drinks late into the night.

You do not need a booking.

Super Lyan states it does not take reservations, but groups of more than 8 people should book ahead.

As of October 2026, the posted prices on the Super Lyan menu are:

Menu section	Price
Boroughs of Amsterdam cocktails	€16
Lyan All Stars	€17
Boozeless cocktails	€11

The current menu draws on Amsterdam’s boroughs.

Expect playful drinks such as the Hagelslag (named after the Dutch chocolate sprinkles) and a genever-based 020 Martinez.

Several drinks also come in alcohol-free versions.

Opening hours are Wednesday and Sunday from 17:00 to 00:00, and Thursday to Saturday from 17:00 to 01:00.

Bar snacks such as fries and beef bitterballen are served until 22:00.

3) Fitz’s Bar

Fitz’s Bar brings Roaring Twenties style to Mauritskade 61 in Amsterdam Oost, inside the Pillows Grand Hotel Maurits at the Park, just outside the busy centre.

It calls itself a place for classy, upscale cocktails, and it backs that up with a big collection of fine spirits.

The person behind the bar is a big part of the draw.

Bartender Nick Vrielink won gold in the Pre-Dinner Cocktail category at the 2023 World Championship in Rome.

In 2024 he won the NBC Cocktail Competition for the third time, which earned him a spot to represent the Netherlands at the 2025 World Cocktail Championship.

His signature drink, Essence No. 5, takes its idea from Chanel No. 5.

That theme of scent runs through Menu Edition No. 4, which turns memorable smells into cocktails:

Citrus groves
Spice markets
Salty ocean air

You start with a set of edible perfumes and choose the aroma you like best.

It makes for a fun, hands-on way to order if you are not sure what you want.

Fitz’s works well if you live in Oost or want a dressier evening away from the crowds near Dam Square.

4) Shakerato

Shakerato comes from the team behind Handshake, one of the most praised cocktail bars in the world.

It sits at Stadhouderskade 7, close to the Leidseplein area and the edge of Vondelpark.

The bar leans into Italian drinking culture.

Think aperitivo hour, bright bitter drinks and food to go with them.

It is a smart pick for an early evening drink before dinner nearby.

Shakerato’s Instagram page lists these hours:

Monday: 18:00 to 01:00
Tuesday: closed
Wednesday to Sunday: 18:00 to 01:00

Unlike several bars on this list, Shakerato takes table bookings through OpenTable.

That makes it a good choice when you are meeting a group and do not want to wait at the door.

Because it opens at 18:00 most days, you can catch a relaxed early drink, then stay on for a late one, without changing venues.

5) Door 74

Door 74 is hidden behind a secret door near Rembrandtplein and is one of Amsterdam’s original speakeasy bars.

It has been making cocktails for over 15 years.

The room is small and personal, and the service is laid-back.

The big plus is the seating rule.

Door 74 offers seat-only reservations, so everyone gets a chair and nobody is crammed at the bar.

A few rules to know:

All guests must be 21 or older, which is stricter than most Dutch bars.
Large groups are hard to fit, so email the bar for group plans.
Each menu edition follows a theme, and every drink comes with its own artwork.

Door 74 also runs cocktail workshops for groups of 4 to 12 people.

These suit birthdays, team outings or friends who want to learn to shake drinks at home.

Since Rembrandtplein is busy and loud at night, Door 74 gives you a calm spot right in the middle of it.

6) Hiding in Plain Sight

Hiding in Plain Sight is a small, dark cocktail bar at Rapenburg 18, a short walk from Nieuwmarkt.

The name fits.

From the street it looks like very little, but inside it feels like a proper cocktail den.

It is a good match if you like serious drinks in a moody room.

The space is snug, with low light and a focus on well-made classics alongside house creations.

Things to keep in mind:

It is a short walk from Nieuwmarkt, so it fits an evening in the eastern part of the centre.
The room is small, which keeps it intimate but limits space on busy nights.
Bartenders are happy to make something off-menu if you tell them what you like.

If you like Door 74’s speakeasy feel, this is a natural second stop on another night.

7) Bar Oldenhof

Bar Oldenhof, at Elandsgracht 84-H in the Jordaan, mixes old-school style with movie magic.

Its cocktail menu has a film theme, changes with the seasons and blends classic drinks with house specials.

The room has a Roaring Twenties feel, with dim lights and good music.

The bar also hosts piano nights, including evenings of movie music.

Booking rules are clear on the Bar Oldenhof website:

Groups above 8 people can reserve.
Groups under 8 walk in.

Opening hours are Sunday to Thursday from 18:00 to 01:00, and Friday and Saturday from 18:00 to 02:00.

That late weekend closing makes it one of the later options on this list.

The team suggests trying their Old Fashioned or one of the Oldenhof specials.

The whole bar can also be hired for private events and photo shoots, which helps if you are planning a birthday with a vintage theme.

8) Rosalia’s Menagerie

Rosalia’s Menagerie opened in 2017 on the main floor of Rosalia’s Inn on Kloveniersburgwal, one of Amsterdam’s oldest canals.

It is calm, pretty and well suited to a quiet conversation.

The bar focuses on locally made spirits and craft cocktails.

Its seasonal menu follows classic cocktail structures but adds new ingredients for curious drinkers.

Here are the Rosalia’s bar rules that matter most:

Open daily from 18:00 to 01:00, with last entry and last call at 00:30.
No reservations: first come, first served.
Guests must be 18 or older.
No pets.

Because it does not take bookings, arrive early on Friday and Saturday if you want a good seat.

A weekday visit is the easiest way to enjoy the canal setting without a wait.

Rosalia’s sits close to Nieuwmarkt, so it also pairs well with Hiding in Plain Sight on the same night.

9) LuminAir

LuminAir is the pick on this list for a rooftop drink with a city view.

It sits on the 11th floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station at Oosterdoksstraat 4, high above the streets, so you trade the cosy feel of a speakeasy for open sky and a skyline you can watch while you sip.

This is the place for a special occasion, a sunset drink or showing visiting friends the city from above.

Hotel rooftop bars tend to feel more polished, so it suits dressing up a little.

Tips for a good visit:

Go around sunset for the best light.
Check the weather first, since outdoor seating depends on it.
Expect it to be busier on warm weekend evenings.

If you want a mix of moods in one night, start with the view at LuminAir and move on to a smaller bar such as Door 74 or Bar Oldenhof later.

10) Bar Mokum

Bar Mokum takes its name from the old local nickname for Amsterdam.

It sits at Ferdinand Bolstraat 11 in De Pijp, down a steep staircase in the basement below Moak Pancakes.

The room is small and popular, and on busy nights the stairs back up with people waiting to get in.

Book ahead rather than counting on a walk-in.

It makes a good last stop after dinner in De Pijp, one of the city’s best neighbourhoods for eating out.

How to Choose a Cocktail Bar

Start with the kind of evening you want, then match it to a bar’s booking policy and neighbourhood.

This table compares every pick on the list.

Bar	Style	Area	Bookings
Tales & Spirits	Classic craft bar	Centre	Ask the bar
Super Lyan	Award-listed, casual	Centre	Walk-in; groups 8+ book
Fitz’s Bar	Upscale, 1920s	Oost	Ask the bar
Shakerato	Italian aperitivo	Near Leidseplein	OpenTable
Door 74	Speakeasy	Rembrandtplein	Seat-only reservations
Hiding in Plain Sight	Moody den	Near Nieuwmarkt	Ask the bar
Bar Oldenhof	Movie-themed, 1920s	Jordaan	Walk-in; groups 8+ book
Rosalia’s Menagerie	Canal-side, calm	Centre	No reservations
LuminAir	Rooftop hotel bar	Oosterdok, near Centraal	Ask the bar
Bar Mokum	Basement bar	De Pijp	Book ahead

Do you want an intimate cocktail room or a hotel bar with a view?

An intimate room gives you closer contact with the bartender and a quieter chat.

Door 74, Hiding in Plain Sight and Rosalia’s Menagerie all fit this style.

They are small, so seats go quickly.

A hotel bar gives you more space and polish.

LuminAir is the choice for a view, while Super Lyan sits in a hotel building but keeps a relaxed bar feel.

Pick the view for celebrations and the small room for long talks.

Which neighbourhood makes sense for your evening?

Choose a bar close to where you are eating or staying, since cycling between far-apart spots late at night gets tiring.

The centre holds the most options, with Super Lyan, Tales & Spirits and Rosalia’s Menagerie all within walking distance of each other.

If you live in Oost, Fitz’s Bar saves you a trip into the crowds.

Bar Oldenhof suits a night in the Jordaan, and Shakerato fits well before dinner near Leidseplein.

For help picking an area to live or spend time in, the Amsterdam neighbourhood guide covers each district.

How can you check reservations, walk-in policies and dress codes?

The bar’s own website or social page is the most reliable place for its rules.

Each one on this list publishes a different policy:

Door 74 takes seat-only reservations and admits guests 21 and older.
Super Lyan and Bar Oldenhof welcome walk-ins and ask large groups to book.
Rosalia’s Menagerie takes no reservations.
Shakerato books tables through OpenTable.

Smart casual clothing fits every bar here.

For the dressier rooms, such as Fitz’s Bar and LuminAir, a slightly smarter outfit matches the setting.

Before You Go

Check hours and menus a day or two before your visit, since cocktail bars change both often.

The bars on this list post the details on their own pages, which beats old listings on map apps.

Where can you confirm current opening hours?

The bar’s official website is the best place to confirm its hours.

Most bars here open in the early evening, between 17:00 and 18:00, and close around 01:00.

Bar Oldenhof stays open until 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Watch for closed days too.

Super Lyan opens Wednesday to Sunday only, and Shakerato closes on Tuesdays.

Holidays such as King’s Day and the end of the year bring special hours, so check again around those dates.

For a wider look at what is happening in the city each night, the What’s On calendar lists concerts, exhibitions and events that pair well with a drink beforehand.

How can you check the latest drinks menu without relying on outdated listings?

Look at the menu page on the bar’s own site, or its latest social posts.

Many bars here change their menu by season or theme:

Door 74 builds each edition around a new theme.
Fitz’s Bar is on Menu Edition No. 4.
Bar Oldenhof updates its movie menu with the seasons.
Rosalia’s Menagerie runs a seasonal menu.

Prices also shift when a new menu launches.

The Super Lyan prices above were current as of October 2026.

Rosalia’s also keeps its address and contact details on a separate page.

If you want new bar openings sent to you, the free Essentially Amsterdam newsletter covers new spots alongside local news and events.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Amsterdam cocktail bars are best for a quiet conversation?

Rosalia’s Menagerie and Door 74 are the best picks for a quiet chat.

Rosalia’s sits in a calm canal-side room, and Door 74’s seat-only bookings stop the room from getting crowded.

Hiding in Plain Sight is another snug, low-lit choice.

Which bars on this list have a rooftop or city view?

LuminAir is the rooftop bar on this list, with views across the city.

Our guide to Amsterdam rooftop bars has more.

The other bars are street-level or canal-side rooms.

Go around sunset for the best light.

Do you need to book a table at Door 74?

Booking is the best way to get into Door 74, since it offers seat-only reservations.

Every guest must be 21 or older.

Larger groups should email the bar to arrange a visit.

Which listed cocktail bars are outside Amsterdam’s city centre?

Fitz’s Bar is the clearest pick outside the centre, at Mauritskade 61 in Amsterdam Oost.

Shakerato sits on Stadhouderskade near Leidseplein, at the edge of the centre.

Bar Oldenhof is in the Jordaan, just west of the main canal ring.

Do any of these cocktail bars have a dress code?

The rules these bars publish focus on age and group size.

Door 74 admits guests 21 and older, and Rosalia’s Menagerie is 18+.

Smart casual works everywhere, with a smarter outfit suiting Fitz’s Bar and LuminAir.