A password, a windmill, a beer pub, and a rooftop pool. These are just a few of Amsterdam’s hip spots.
Amsterdam is one of those prominent cities always welcoming travelers gearing up for a killer time. Weed, prostitution, clubs and bars. Anything goes in this popular city but nothing ever seems too chaotic. Although easy to have a good time in DAM, here are five of Amsterdam’s most awesome bars you should still mark on your phone. Bottoms up!
The Butcher Bar – password needed
Albert Cuypstraat 129, 1072 CS Amsterdam, Netherlands
Behind a popular burger joint is a hidden speakeasy serving Amsterdam’s best cocktails. Situated in the legendary Albert Cuypstraat market, you’ll need a password to enter The Butcher Bar. Get it from your hotel, or reserve a table in advance. There’s a door at the back of the burger restaurant. Find the buzzer and wait for someone to open the door. The stylish decor is beautifully accompanied by Prohibition era-inspired cocktails, and eleven signature concoctions including: Scofflaw and the Spicy Crust gin. The crowd is Amsterdam’s most stylish, ready to shell out for expensive drinks and elegant ambiance.
Door 74 – cocktails with attitude
Reguliersdwarsstraat 74, 1017 BN Amsterdam, Netherlands
Prohibition bars are all the rage around the world, but Door 74 sets itself apart by steering away from pretentious vibes while expertly mastering its impressive cocktail menu. The Art Deco interior alongside dark wood furniture is a retro throwback to 1920’s mood, but the drinks are inventive and fun! Definitely try: Queen of the North (Hooghoudt Korenwijn, Contratto dry vermouth, Nardini Acqua di Cedro and Ferdinand’s Red Peach and Hops bitters), or Sorry I Only Speak Mandarin (Mackmyra Gruvguld Swedish Single Malt, Merlet Apricot Brandy, mandarin juice, lemon, honey and ginger.)
Brouwerij ‘t IJ – windmill organic microbrewery
Funenkade 7, 1018 AL Amsterdam, Netherlands
If you want a truly outstanding brewery located underneath a 300-year-old De Gooyer windmill, you can capture this exact experience right at Brouwerij ‘t IJ. In Dutch, IJ is the name of the river this brewery sits on. Pronounced “eye,” IJ is also “egg” in Dutch with its pronunciation as “ei”. Hence, you’ll see quite a few word plays on the menu: IJ Wit (or “Egg White”) or IJndejaars (“One Year Old”). Founded in 1985 by Kasper Peterson who was inspired by beer styles in Belgian, Brouwerij ‘t IJ became a microbrewery serving organic blondes and dark beers. Try to taste a wide variety here, there are tons of wonderful pilsners and IPAs on tap.
W Lounge – rooftop pool
W Hotel, Spuistraat 175, 1012 VN Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Amsterdam bar scene is tasteful and intentional, if you prefer a panoramic view of the Royal Palace on Dam Square, then head up to the top of the W Hotel where W Lounge delivers in style. More than 5 km of copper pipes are spotlighted to the telephone wires and electricity lines used to buzz through this former post office headquarter. The bar often features DJs spinning at events, you’ll probably run into traveling business folks or sophisticated local crowds. The menu here includes food, cocktails, and coffee options.
Troost – local brewpub
Cornelis Troostplein 21, 1072 JJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Indulging in local brews is always a treat! Check out Troost, an Amsterdam microbrewery with an original location in De Pijp. Thanks to its huge popularity, Troost also opened a bigger location in Westergas where it can finally serve larger volumes of its very own beer. Depending on your preference, De Pijp location is the OG, meanwhile the Westergas brewpub is more lively with a large outside patio and music nights.
