The best cocktail bars in the Netherlands
Looking for the best cocktail bars in the Netherlands? We kept our eyes peeled for the 2025 Entree Awards and gathered our own favorites from across the country. No long stories, no frills, just the bars where you know you're in the right place. With well-stocked cocktail lists, expert bartenders, and a whole lot of... Speakeasy atmospheres. We wrote about the nicest in Amsterdam, because there are certainly plenty of cozy places there, but that applies to the whole of the Netherlands. From Amsterdam to Rotterdam to Maastricht. We've listed them all. Cheers!
Step inside Bar Nola in Maastricht and be surprised by a bar & restaurant where the atmosphere is reminiscent of Paris, London or New York, by the Moulin Rouge vibe.
The interior gives the feeling of being in a cosmopolitan city thanks to the speakeasy atmosphere. Dark furniture with lots of red tones and red lighting, with a few touch of Green and marble. Bar Nola isn't just a sultry cocktail bar; you can also enjoy lunch and dinner there. The menu offers something for everyone. Located on Platielstraat in Maastricht, Bar Nola is open daily from 12:00. Book in advance to secure a spot.
Anyone who fancies an evening off the radar should go straight to Door74. This one speakeasys So, in the heart of Amsterdam, you don't just find it. You ring the doorbell, whisper your reservation, and voila, a hidden world of dark corners and glistening glassware opens up before you. Inside, they shake cocktails like it's a religion. Classics with a twist, seasonal drinks that make you think, "How?!", and bartenders who understand exactly what you mean when you say, "Something fresh, but also... not?" Yep, that. It's cozy, it's a bit mysterious, just like a good speakeasys It's supposed to be that way. Go early, go late, and especially go with someone who appreciates these kinds of places. You're welcome.
If, like us, you always end up in a brown café during an evening in Maastricht (to be clear: there is nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with it) then next time think about the speak easy style cocktail bar Mr. Smith.
To enter Mr. Smith, you have to ring the bell (and remain standing), after which one of the hosts (or hostesses) will escort you to a table or, even better, to the bar one floor below in the dark catacombs of the beautiful Maastricht building. Exactly. gentlemen styleThat's how Mr. Smith wants to be known: a bar with class. And he succeeds. The jazz music is delightful (not too loud, not too soft, not too difficult, but certainly not too flat), the look is classic and industrial (Chesterfield, wood paneling, wingback chairs, and a Persian rug versus a rough ceiling). And the cocktails? They're worth writing home about, both in originality and flavor.
Two floors with great coffee and cocktails. Awe'll need right? In the new Hotel Voco, The Hague, you will find it: coffee and cocktail bar Ultramarine WonderbarThe former bank building, where this hotel and this delightful cocktail bar have taken up residence, has been transformed into a veritable underwater world. Upon entering, the interior with blue and gold accents really gives you that deep in the ocean feeling. The old vault door has been retained and serves as a eye catcher in the case.
The unique cocktail menu, organized according to the four cardinal points, is created in a delicious and sustainable way. Traditionally, pulp, peels, seeds, pits, and sprouts are discarded (a shame!), but certainly not here. These ingredients are given a second life in syrups and edible garnishes. This way, bar waste is minimized, and the bartenders push cocktails to their full potential.
Japan is hot, and what hot we bring it to Holland. So also the listening barsThe equally atmospheric CUE opened in the always atmospheric Utrechtsestraat in the autumn of 2024. CUE CUE is a listening bar where cocktails, vinyl, and food (all three in perfect harmony and harmony) come together. In Japan, "jazz kissa" became popular in the 50s, when vinyl records were still relatively expensive. CUE feels more like a cozy living room than a bar. Not that you'd be better off staying at home, because we're sure you won't be able to shake such good cocktails there. And certainly not have such a good sound system, with DJs to match (who play exclusively vinyl).
Anyone who knows Utrecht a little certainly knows: Dove. A Spanish eatery just a stone's throw from the Oude Gracht canal. It's small, colorful, and just chaotic enough to be cozy, as if you've been dropped into someone's living room where, coincidentally, they serve some really good cocktails. The menu? Fresh. and absolutely dangerously drinkableExpect Palomas (duh), spritz-like drinks, spicy margaritas, and much more. Paloma is the perfect starting point for your evening, but honestly: chances are you'll linger. Very high.
But if we're being completely honest, we don't just come here for the cocktails. They also make sure you'll want to stay for the delicious tapas. Order the tapas tower, for example. The name says it all: it's a tiered stand filled with Paloma's most delicious tapas, a kind of Spanish high tea, but with sangria, cocktails, delicious food, and of course, live music!
Anyone afraid of heights should skip this tip, because... The Penthouse you go into the air. Penthouse is the highest sky bar in the Netherlands and here you can enjoy a drink at a height of no less than 135 meters. Before you stand with a cocktail in your hand, you have to buy a ticket for 9 euros, but then you have something. From above you have a good view and you can see the city itself, Scheveningen and even Rotterdam. On Saturday evening they really turn it into a party with music and light projections.
Of course Rotterdam has plenty of nice places, but Dizzy Jazzbar? That's one you can't miss. You walk past it and think, "Oh, nice place," but once inside, you're suddenly transported to a jazz movie. A little dark and a little cozy. So, music is played here every night, real music. Jazz, funk, and soul. Meanwhile, you order a tasty drink and/or snack, and you'll want to hang out there all evening.
And then there's the courtyard. If it's a bit dry, you can relax there with a drink under the lights. No fuss, just a nice place to sit for a while before the music starts again. Dizzy remains exactly what it is: a bit hidden, pleasantly casual, and completely Rotterdam as it should be.
Speaking of atmospheric cocktail bars... Somewhere in the Middle in Maastricht is another one. It's called Somewhere in the Middle for a reason, as it's right in the heart of Maastricht on the Vrijthof square. And we're not the only ones who think this is a great cocktail bar; they've been nominated for the Netherlands' best new cocktail bar in the entrance awards. Inside, there's a sultry atmosphere, with lots of dark colors, plenty of dark red and dark green, a low ceiling, and a bit of a basement. vibes, but cozy and of course delicious cocktails.
We like this cocktail bar in Utrecht: The FoolsIn the former Behind Bars building, Sacha and Billy are bringing their years-long dream to life on Hamburgerstraat. No fuss, just top-notch cocktails. vibe is warm and inviting, no reservations needed, everyone is welcome. The menu? A delightful hip-hop nod: classics on the left, experimental "stupidWe think the creations on the right, with illustrations, are very impressive. They built the interior with friends and family: industrial, colorful, and above all, homey. And that's precisely the goal.
Do you have heavenly high cocktails drinking on your bucket listt standing? You can cross that off your list soon. The restaurant (and cocktail bar) Celest Located in Rotterdam at a height of 190 meters, Celest is the highest restaurant in the Netherlands – and even in the Benelux! Situated on the 57th and 58th floors of the impressive Zalmhaven Tower, Celest offers panoramic views of the city that you can gaze at for hours, discovering something new every time. Whether you visit during the day, in the evening, in sunshine or rain, everything has its own unique charm at this altitude. New York-ish and just plain un-Dutch.
On to Hasta La Vista Baby! Part of the INNSide Hotel by Mélia on the Zuidas. Here you will find a rooftop bar with restaurant on the nineteenth floor. Completely in keeping with the elegant Hollywood theme with a combination of Spanish influences, with a really lovely mix of red and pink tones, velvet fabrics and lots of gold accents. A very cool combo. And then with the skyline of Amsterdam, what more could one want? Plus you get hit with that casual Spanish fine dining concept (almost) did not eat out, and that view is not boring either. So the spot for a wonderful evening out.
Don't know where to go on a date? Here! At Heartmelt in Rotterdam, even if you don't live nearby, because love just radiates from this bar. Hence the name Heartmelt. A cocktail? Sure. A bite to eat? Absolutely. A cocktail workshop? Yes, that's possible too! They have tons of delicious snacks and, consequently, delicious cocktails. Besides all that delicious food, they also make sure you're entertained with live music, from Jazzy Soul Music to Brazilian tunes. A date doesn't always have to be with your romantic partner; you can also bring your best friends. Whether you're here to flirt or gossip, Heartmelt is definitely the place to be. Heartmelt is located on William Boothlaan, about a ten-minute walk from the station, so you can simply roll home after all those cocktails.
If you love cocktails and a very colorful interior, you really have to go there Ruby Rose In the heart of the restaurant is a massive bar where your bartender mixes the most delicious (and Instagram-worthy) cocktails. From refreshing fruity drinks to classic cocktails. The bites are primarily for sharing: jamon, pimentos de padrón, and calamari—perfect for snacking between all that cocktail enjoyment. What starts as a quiet Friday afternoon drink with a few colorful cocktails often turns into a full-blown cocktail marathon. Oh, and the building? It used to be a flower shop, so you'll find yourself surrounded by cheerful prints and a wonderful floral vibe.
Maybe Luminair at DoubleTree Hilton The place with the most beautiful view (although we shouldn't forget Hasta La Vista either). It's definitely the place to dream away. A truly beautiful location where you want to go. For the view, the decor, but also absolutely, and most definitely, for the cocktails and the food. When the weather is nice, you can sit on the terrace, where you'll (sometimes literally) end up in the clouds. And for good reason. the bar above Amsterdam. You can sit there all day long, during the day, in the evening and in the weekend even at night (until 03.00), but a tip is to go during sunset. Everything then turns so beautifully in orange and pink. Where to go? Luminair in Doubletree by Hilton right next to Amsterdam Central Station.
Another great place for a night out… The Humphrey's in Utrecht. Right on the Oudegracht canal, in the wharf cellars beneath the town hall, you'll find a Burgundian bistro with a great selection. Moulin Rouge vibeRed plush, gold chandeliers, Art Nouveau chairs… pure decadence with a touch of humor, which is what we love. The menu is classic but not boring: you have a three-course meal (price fixed) with fresh ingredients, and there's something for everyone. So, you don't just come here for the delicious cocktails; we certainly don't mind finishing off a three-course meal with a cocktail. The bar cocktails at Humphrey's perfectly complement the Burgundian, chic, yet accessible atmosphere of the wharf cellars. Deliciously classic, not an overly experimental bar, but everything in style.
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