Best Bars & Restaurants In Amsterdam
Everyone knows that Amsterdam is one of the best cities in the world for drinking. What you might not know, however, is just how much things have changed since that guy called Homer wrote about it in a book some 400 years ago. Once upon a time, the only place to get a drink in Amsterdam was at a bar called an ‘Inn’ or hotel.
Thankfully, those days are long gone and we now live in an age with more drinking establishments per capita than anywhere else on the planet. Whether you like your cocktails old school or modern, noisy or intimate, cheap or expensive – Amsterdam has bars to suit every taste and budget.
So whether you’re coming to Amsterdam for business or pleasure, read on for our top picks of where to eat and drink in Amsterdam right now!
1. Lost in Amsterdam Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar
The Lost in Amsterdam Lounge is a cocktail bar that brings together all the best bits from a wide range of different cultures to create a truly unique experience. The decor has been inspired by the Middle East, the music is a mix of reggae, Bossa Nova, and Balkan beats, and the menu has an Indian twist. There are cocktails infused with Indian spices such as coconut, cardamom, and saffron, and you’ll also find two Indian dishes on the menu – masala chicken and a very special take on the samosa called the Lost in Amsterdam Samosa.
If you’re looking for a place that is both stylish, comfortable, and full of atmosphere, look no further than the Lost in Amsterdam Lounge.
Address: Nieuwendijk 19 a, 1012 LZ Amsterdam
2. Parakeet – Best Bars & Restaurants In Amsterdam
If you’re going to visit only one bar on our list, then Parakeets should be that bar. It’s a small and intimate bar with a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. The specialty of the house is gin, but they also have a good selection of other drinks, so you won’t find yourself left out if you’re not a gin fan. The food is simple but very good, and the best part is that the entire experience is completely free.
The only catch is that once you’ve been there once you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away from this place, so make sure you have at least a few hours to spare.
Address: Douwes Dekkerstraat 22H, 1053 SX Amsterdam
3. Calle Ocho
The bar that is most closely associated with the latest wave of Amsterdam drinking culture is called Calle Ocho. It’s a wide open space with big tables and comfy couches that feels like a very relaxed and casual basement party.
The drinks menu is long and varied, and while they’re certainly not cheap they’re also not outrageously expensive. You’ll find plenty of snacks to help you soak up the alcohol, and the DJ is just as likely to be playing house music as he is to be spinning the latest hip-hop hits.
Address: Albert Cuypstraat 226I, 1073 BN Amsterdam
4. Nomad aan het IJ
This stylish and modern gastropub is one of the best places to hang out and eat in Amsterdam. The interior is wonderfully comfortable, while the menu is a mix of classic Dutch dishes and more modern creations like “cauliflower steaks” and “bacon & blue cheese dumplings”. They also have a very nice wine selection, but the real highlight is the selection of craft beers you can order from a giant beer tap.
Nomad aan het IJ is one of the most popular places to drink in Amsterdam, and as such it’s best to come here either early in the evening or late in the afternoon.
Address: IJdok 87, 1013 MM Amsterdam
5. Pacific Amsterdam
This bar is pure style, elegance, and luxury, and is the sort of place where you can come for a quiet drink, or a party with lots of bottles, DJs, and exotic dancers. It’s much more of a party venue than any of the other bars on our list. Just make sure you leave yourself enough time to get there before the party kicks off.
Address: Polonceaukade 23, 1014 DA Amsterdam
6. Bar Claes – Best Bars & Restaurants In Amsterdam
Bar Claes is one of the best bars in Amsterdam for several reasons. Firstly, it’s located right in the heart of the city, and it’s just a short walk from the famous canals. Secondly, it’s got a very relaxed atmosphere and it’s the sort of place you can go to come and enjoy a quiet drink by yourself. Thirdly, there are daily specials on drinks, so you can get your money’s worth. Finally, it’s a great place to come to meet other travelers, so if you’re not shy, it’s a good idea to go there early to try and make some new friends.
Address: Stadhouderskade 25, 1071 ZD Amsterdam
7. Twenty Third Bar
This is the place to come if you want to see the city’s best views, and it’s also one of the best places in Amsterdam to enjoy a quiet drink. The interior is spacious, modern, and comfortable, and it’s got a great atmosphere, despite being on the top floor of a large modern building. The drinks menu is varied, and while they’re not cheap, they’re also not ridiculously expensive, and you can also choose to come here to eat. The real highlight of the Twenty Third Bar, however, is its terrace, which has a fantastic view over the city, and it’s the perfect place to come to watch the sunset over the city.
Address: Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, 1072 LH Amsterdam
8. SkyLounge Amsterdam
The SkyLounge Amsterdam is the perfect place to come to enjoy the city’s great views, and it’s also one of the most stylish and luxurious bars in Amsterdam. Located on the top floor of a modern hotel, this place is great for a quiet drink, but it’s also one of the best places in the city to come to enjoy a party. The drinks and snacks menus are extensive, and while they’re not cheap, they’re also not outrageously expensive, and the best part is that the view is absolutely stunning. If you want to make sure you get a seat with a view, it’s best to come to the SkyLounge during the day, as it can get very crowded at night.
Address: Oosterdokskade 4, 1011 DK Amsterdam
9. Bar Brasserie OCCO – Best Bars & Restaurants In Amsterdam
OCCO is the place to come if you want to eat and drink in Amsterdam, but don’t want to do one or the other. It’s a combination of a very nice cocktail bar and a high-end restaurant, and it’s one of the most luxurious places in the city to enjoy a drink. The interior is spacious and elegant, and it’s one of the best places in Amsterdam if you want to impress on a first date.
The drinks menu is long and varied, and while they’re quite expensive, they’re also very good.
Address: Keizersgracht 384, 1016 GB Amsterda
10. Flying Dutchmen Cocktails
If you’re looking for a truly unique cocktail experience, look no further than Flying Dutchmen. The decor is old-school vampy with a touch of steampunk and the drinks menu is like no other. You can choose from classics like the French 75, Negroni, or Old Fashioned or try one of their signature drinks like the ‘The Man From Mars’; a mix of rye whisky, Martini Rosso, and grapefruit juice. They also offer a menu of Dutch ‘proper’ drinks that you don’t see in most bars in the city, which is a nice touch. If you’re looking for a place that’s as unique as it is delicious, look no further.
Address: Singel 460, 1017 AW Amsterdam
11. Sorel’s Bar and Lounge
Sorel’s Bar and Lounge is one of Amsterdam’s finest cocktail bars. Located in the heart of the city’s house music district, this place is decked out like an old-school speakeasy with a modern, edgy twist. The drinks menu is long and varied and the bartenders know their stuff. The music is loud and the decor is dark but the service is great and the overall experience is fantastic. If you’re in Amsterdam for a few days, this place is well worth the visit for some truly first-rate cocktails.
Address: Stadhouderskade 12, 1054 ES Amsterdam
12. De Wijnkaart – Best Bars & Restaurants In Amsterdam
One of the things that make Wijnkaartstand out from the crowd is its focus on wine instead of spirits. Located in the heart of Amsterdam’s central Canal District, it is a stylishly converted, former warehouse with high vaulted ceilings, and long wooden tables.
The drinks menu is long and varied but what sets this place apart is its wine list, which is one of the longest in the city. There are over 350 different wines to choose from, many of which you’ll find nowhere else in Amsterdam.
Address: Van Breestraat 107A, 1071 ZJ Amsterdam
13. Vault Bar
Vault Bar is one of Amsterdam’s best cocktail bars and is located in the heart of the city. The decor is stylish and modern and the drinks menu is long and varied. There’s something for everyone here, from classics like the Old Fashioned to more inventive drinks. The cocktails are really good and the overall vibe is intimate and relaxed with a nice mix of locals, tourists, and business types. If you’re looking for a place that’s easygoing and welcoming but still feels like a proper bar, Vault Bar is a great choice.
Address: Herengracht 542-556, 1017 CG Amsterdam
14. Satchmo
This is a bar and restaurant hybrid. The drinks menu is long and varied and the bartenders know their stuff. You can choose from classics like the Negroni or something more inventive like the ‘Cognac Sour’. The decor is plush and modern with a touch of vintage. The food is good and the service is prompt and friendly. If you’re looking for a place to eat and drink in one go, Satchmo is a great choice.
Address: Rokin 95, 1012 KM Amsterdam
15. Bar TwentySeven – Best Bars & Restaurants In Amsterdam
If you’re looking for a place that’s friendly, laid-back, and good for just about any occasion, Bar TwentySeven is a great choice. bar’s decor is modern and edgy with plenty of moody lighting and it also serves up some tasty Asian-inspired food if you’re in the mood for something other than liquid refreshment. The drinks menu is long and varied and the bartenders know their stuff. You can choose from classics like the Negroni or something more modern like the ‘Salty Dog’. The overall vibe is warm and inviting and is a great place for a casual drink with friends or colleagues.
Address: Dam 27, 1012 JS Amsterdam
16. NJoy
NJoy is a fun and quirky cocktail bar that is located with beautiful decor, and colorful and the drinks menu is long and varied. There’s something for everyone here, from classics like the Old Fashioned to more inventive creations. The overall vibe is fun and friendly, making it a great place to go with friends or on a date. If you’re looking for a place that’s a little different, NJoy is an excellent choice.
Address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 93, 1017 PX Amsterdam
17. Glouglou
If you’re looking for a place that’s a bit different and sophisticated, yet still casual and welcoming, then Glouglou is a great choice.
The overall vibe is relaxed and friendly, making it a great place to go with friends or on a date.
Address: Tweede van der Helststraat 3, 1073 AE Amsterdam
18. BARDAK – Best Bars & Restaurants In Amsterdam
In the heart of the city, Bardak is a Tel Avivian street food restaurant that transports the lovable grittiness of ‘Mediterranean Manhattan’ to the heart of Amsterdam. That’s because it’s the only bar in the world where you can make your own cocktail from scratch and then drink it from a flask! Just like in a chemistry lab, you mix up your drinks from a wide range of ingredients like wine, beer, whisky, vodka, rum, and tequila. And then you can either take them home or finish them off in the bar using a flask that can be refilled with hot or cold water. What makes this place really special is that you can also come here for a three-course dinner.
Address: Ferdinand Bolstraat 12, 1072 LJ Amsterdam
19. Bottles & Jars Amsterdam
With a name like Bottles & Jars and a location in a stunning part of the city, you can be sure that this is one very cool bar. And as well as being a great place to go for a drink, it’s also one of Amsterdam’s best places for a meal. That’s because the chef uses a combination of fresh and sustainable ingredients from local suppliers to create an ever-changing menu of small plates. And because of its location, you can also enjoy a great view of the city skyline.
Address: Zeedijk 11, 1012 AN Amsterdam
20. Super Lyan – Best Bars & Restaurants In Amsterdam
A great place to enjoy a couple of drinks and some tasty bar bites, Super Lyan is a stylish cocktail bar in the heart of Amsterdam. And while it’s only been recently opened, it’s already a firm fixture on the city’s drinking scene. Super Lyan is a place where you can enjoy food that’s both modern and accessible while enjoying cocktails that are beautifully made with premium ingredients.
Address: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 3, 1012 RC Amsterdam
As you can see, many bars and restaurants in Amsterdam offer something different. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood or want to try a twist on a classic, or want to drink something special and original, Amsterdam has something for everyone.
We hope you make it out to one of our recommendations or find another spot that is perfect for you, but first of all, enjoy your trips to locations around the world, take some instagrammable photos, and upload them to your Framey App
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Do you want more Amsterdam inspiration? Check 25 Best places in Amsterdam + 5 yummy locations
