Amsterdam isn’t just known for its picturesque canals, charming bikes, and rich history—it’s also a hotspot for unforgettable nightlife. Whether you’re into craft cocktails, stylish rooftop lounges, hidden speakeasies, or laid-back pubs, the Dutch capital offers a vibrant bar Best Bars in Amsterdam that caters to every mood and preference. From trendy hangouts in De Pijp to iconic cocktail institutions in the heart of the city, Amsterdam is overflowing with unique watering holes that combine ambiance, creativity, and top-notch drinks.
Amsterdam Best Cocktail Bars: Craft Drinks & Unbeatable Vibes
In this guide, we’ve curated a list of the top 30+ best bars in Amsterdam for craft cocktails and vibes that will elevate your evening experience. These bars aren’t just places to drink—they’re destinations in their own right, often doubling as cultural hubs, Instagram-worthy hideouts, or historical gems. Whether you’re a solo traveler looking for a cozy nook to unwind or a group seeking an electric party vibe, Amsterdam has the perfect bar waiting for you.
🌃 Central Amsterdam Favorites
1. Flying Dutchmen Cocktails
✨ Classic cocktail bar run by award-winning bartenders.
- Must-try: Old Fashioned
- Vibe: Elegant, refined
2. Tales & Spirits
🍷 Known for storytelling through cocktails.
- Must-try: Zombie Apocalypse
- Vibe: Playful, artsy
3. Door 74
🌈 Hidden speakeasy with a secret entrance.
- Must-try: Bartender’s choice (rotating menu)
- Vibe: Mysterious, dimly lit
4. Bar TwentySeven
🏙️ Luxurious rooftop bar at Hotel TwentySeven.
- Must-try: Sparkling Champagne cocktail
- Vibe: Glamorous with city views
5. Super Lyan
💧 Futuristic bar by mixology legend Ryan Chetiyawardana.
- Must-try: Beeswax Old Fashioned
- Vibe: Modern, creative
🌿 Jordaan & De 9 Straatjes Picks in Amsterdam
6. Vesper Bar
🕵️♂️ James Bond-inspired with an intimate setting.
- Must-try: Vesper Martini
- Vibe: Retro chic
7. Pulitzer’s Bar
🌟 Located in the iconic Pulitzer Hotel.
- Must-try: Dutch Courage
- Vibe: Sophisticated, timeless
8. The Duchess Bar
👑 Part of the Michelin-starred restaurant.
- Must-try: Truffle Negroni
- Vibe: Opulent and grand
9. The Hoxton’s Lotti’s Bar
🏜️ Trendy and great for socializing.
- Must-try: Aperol Spritz twist
- Vibe: Casual chic
10. Bar Mokum
🌍 Proudly Dutch-themed bar with local spirits.
- Must-try: Stroopwafel Old Fashioned
- Vibe: Cozy and authentic
🚀 Experimental & Themed Bars in Amsterdam
11. Hiding in Plain Sight (HPS)
👀 Intimate and upscale.
- Must-try: Kentucky Fizz
- Vibe: Romantic, speakeasy-style
12. Rosalia’s Menagerie
🦍 Eclectic bar inspired by animal spirits.
- Must-try: The Sloth cocktail
- Vibe: Whimsical and imaginative
13. The Butcher Bar
🍔 Secret bar hidden behind a burger joint.
- Must-try: Mezcal Margarita
- Vibe: Urban and edgy
14. Bar Botanique
🌿 A green jungle inside a cocktail haven.
- Must-try: Jungle Mule
- Vibe: Refreshing and tropical
15. Fitz’s Bar
🧈 Victorian glam with inventive cocktails.
- Must-try: Absinthe Frappe
- Vibe: Classy and curious
🌄 East Amsterdam Hotspots Bars in Amsterdam
16. Bar Bukowski
🎓 Literary-themed bar.
- Must-try: Hemingway Daiquiri
- Vibe: Intellectual and laid-back
17. Louie Louie
🎵 Latin-American vibes and great terrace.
- Must-try: Pisco Sour
- Vibe: Fun and upbeat
18. Bar Botanico
🌿 Floral decor and exotic drinks.
- Must-try: Tamarind Smash
- Vibe: Colorful and botanical
19. De Tropen
🌊 Inside the Tropenmuseum with outdoor seating.
- Must-try: Passionfruit Mojito
- Vibe: Relaxed with cultural ambiance
20. Rum Barrel
🇰️ Caribbean-themed rum bar.
- Must-try: Dark & Stormy
- Vibe: Island-style chill
🏜️ Waterfront & Rooftop Bars
21. SkyLounge Amsterdam
🌇 11th floor rooftop with cityscape views.
- Must-try: Lavender Collins
- Vibe: Luxe and panoramic
22. Canvas
🚒 Rooftop bar at Volkshotel.
- Must-try: Spicy Mango Martini
- Vibe: Artistic and vibrant
23. Pllek
🌴 Eco-friendly and located on a beach.
- Must-try: Organic Gin Fizz
- Vibe: Bohemian, open-air
24. Waterkant
🌊 Dutch-Surinamese fusion bar by the canal.
- Must-try: Surinamese Rum Punch
- Vibe: Lively and cultural
25. REM Eiland
🌉 Former offshore platform turned bar.
- Must-try: Sea Breeze
- Vibe: Industrial and unique
🤝 LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Hangouts
26. Prik
🌈 Award-winning gay bar with sparkling cocktails.
- Must-try: Pink Prik Fizz
- Vibe: Fun and inclusive
27. Soho Amsterdam
🛋️ Welcoming and trendy LGBTQ+ venue.
- Must-try: Soho Sling
- Vibe: Stylish and sociable
🏋️♂️ Local Favorites You Shouldn’t Miss
28. Cafe de Dokter
🧼 Smallest bar in Amsterdam, est. 1798.
- Must-try: Genever neat
- Vibe: Quaint and historic
29. Hannekes Boom
🏝️ Riverside hangout with colorful outdoor seating.
- Must-try: Dutch Pale Ale with citrus twist
- Vibe: Casual and festive
30. Café Brecht
🌺 German-inspired bar with vintage decor.
- Must-try: Homemade schnapps cocktails
- Vibe: Quirky and cozy
Amsterdam’s bar scene is more than just a place to grab a drink—it’s an experience. From speakeasy secrets to botanical paradises and rooftop elegance, these 30 best bars in Amsterdam for craft cocktails and vibes offer something for every taste and mood.
So next time you’re in the city, skip the typical tourist traps and toast your evening at one of these unforgettable spots! 🍾
Cheers! Or as the Dutch say, Proost! 🥂
I’m Lily Wilson, a traveler, storyteller, and soul-searcher from the sun-kissed shores of Hawaii. At LilyOnTheGo.com, every journey begins with curiosity, courage, and a trusty carry-on. Travel, for me, has never been about ticking places off a bucket list. It’s about chasing sunrises in unfamiliar cities, sharing laughs with strangers who become friends.