Don’t make the mistake of indulging only in street food and Heineken while visiting Amsterdam.
Yes, it’s one of the best budget-friendly things to do in a city often colored with a tantalizing red light, but dozens of bars in Amsterdam deserve your attention. Hole-in-the-wall pubs, hotel rooftops with cultural cocktails, and quirky watering holes as historic as they are humorous.
Say “cheers” to the best bars in Amsterdam.
Image Credit and Location: Lotti's, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The best bars in Amsterdam
Lotti’s | Hotel Bar
How appropriate that one of the best bars in Amsterdam is in one of the best hotels in Amsterdam. Lotti’s, within The Hoxton Herengracht, is laid-back but not too worn in. Bubbly cocktails and vintage lounge chairs are as chic as the signature Hox-Bee and alcohol-free Lady In Yellow.
Stone’s Cafe | Nightclub
Stone’s Cafe is in the Red Light District and keeps the party going until 4 AM. You shouldn’t need many more reasons than that if you’re looking for a place that keeps the music and dance floor bumping.
Hill Street Blues | Coffeeshop
Right when you step off the train at Amsterdam Centraal, Hill Street Blues has a drink ready for you. At 10AM, cappuccino and craft beer are available with zero judgements.
Image Credit and Location: Twenty Third Bar, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Twenty Third Bar | Rooftop Bar
Hotel rooftop bars in Amsterdam aren’t uncommon, but we’re pretty sure no one is doing Dutch-Japanese drinks like Twenty Third Bar. Hotel Okura’s bar location is easy to remember: press that 23 in the elevator and you’ll arrive at a cocktail bar with panoramic views of Amsterdam. Taste the handmade syrups and purees in the Okinawa Sling, Japanese Mule, and Natsu No Taiyõ.
Café 't Mandje | Gay Bar
While the Ted Lasso fans venture to PRIK first, you can start your night at the quirky Café 't Mandje. One of the OG gay bars in Amsterdam, this near-century-old bar is a landmark of the LGBTQ scene and so important in the city’s history that a replica stands in the Amsterdam Museum.
Image Credit and Location: Xtracold Amsterdam Ice Bar, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Xtracold Amsterdam Ice Bar | Ice Bar
At a cool 14℉, the Xtracold Amsterdam Ice Bar is actually one of the hottest places to drink in the city. You start in a “heated” bar for a drink of your choice then pull the zipper up on your parka and sip on drinks or shots from a glass made of ice in the Nova Zembla ice bar. It’s the perfect place to cozy into after experiencing Amsterdam’s Light Festival.
Bar Bukowski | Restaurant & Bar
Not unlike the eponymous author, Bukowski may be a little outside of your comfort zone but is well worth the effort. Bar Bukowski is over in Oosterpark, so while you will leave the city center in the rear view, you’ll be rewarded with a Butterscotch Old Fashioned.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Proost: What to know about drinking in Amsterdam
Can you smoke in bars in Amsterdam?
Don’t expect to smoke in bars in Amsterdam. Smoking or vaping tobacco is generally a no-no in any enclosed public space. As for smoking cannabis in Amsterdam bars, only certain coffeeshops allow visitors to smoke. Don’t just read the room; ask the bartender before lighting up.
How old do you have to be to drink in Amsterdam?
Not too long ago, 16 years of age was the legal drinking age, but no more. Since January 2014, the Dutch minimum drinking age is 18 years old.
Disclaimer: Please drink responsibly and don't drink and drive. The content of this article is meant to inform but we do not advocate overconsumption, or the abuse of alcohol. Drinking excessively will cause harm to your body and mind. Seek help from a professional if you have a problem, or if you think you might have one.
Is the Yankee Doodle Burger Bar in Amsterdam from Ted Lasso real?
Sorry, Diamond Dogs: the Yankee Doodle Burger Bar from the Ted Lasso Amsterdam episode, “Sunflowers”, is not real. Thankfully, there are still plenty of other real Ted Lasso filming locations in Amsterdam you can visit near tasty burger joints.
What do the locals drink in Amsterdam?
If you’re drinking in the Netherlands, a Jenever belongs in your hand. This alcohol made in Amsterdam is flavored with juniper berries. Also called Genever, it’s available in most bars and will get you bonus points with the bartender for not ordering a Heineken.
Getting around Amsterdam without a car
Amsterdam is famous for its bicycle-friendly city center, but we have a feeling you didn’t pack your Schwinn in your carry-on. Get from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to the heart of Amsterdam in minutes by train then walk or pedal to Amsterdam’s best bars. Thinking about getting out of the Dutch capital for a day? Why not download the Trainline app and check out our guide to the best day trips from Amsterdam by train.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Karl Hendon. Image Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands