Newest cocktail bars in Amsterdam you need to try right now
As we all know, I spend a healthy amount of time in cocktail bars. Mostly under the very legitimate guise of '“work”, although I’m still figuring out which dirty vodka martinis qualify as a business expense and which ones are just me yapping with bartenders.
Either way, new cocktail bars in Amsterdam are research. So here’s my honest take on the newest spots in the city right now.
Taxman
Kicking things off with one of the most concept-driven openings we’ve seen in Amsterdam in a while. Hidden inside the former Het Accijnshuis (the place where ships once paid tax on tobacco, spices and, most importantly, alcohol), Sergej Platonov and Vitaly Alekseyev, formerly of Law & Order Amsterdam, created something that feels both intimate and slightly mysterious.
The menu arrives in an unmarked envelope that looks like an old tax form, with cocktails named simply ‘Salt’, ‘Fruit’ or ‘Wine’. No labels, no obvious spirits, everything is built on neutral grain spirit, shifting the focus entirely to flavour and balance. It feels like someone’s living room, just one where every detail makes sense. And if you’re lucky, you might discover what could be the smallest speakeasy in Amsterdam. Just ask.
Taxman - Oudebrugsteeg 7
De Blauwe Parade
You know those places where you accidentally stay all night? This is one of them. De Blauwe Parade has very quickly become my second living room, and not just because it’s dangerously well located on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. Think cocktail pub. The warmth of a brown café, but elevated. Please don’t order wine or beer here.
Go for a classic, or even better, let the bartenders, who are basically walking cocktail encyclopaedias, guide you. The food comes from neighbouring Bouillon Amsterdam and ranges from steak tartare and oysters to proper Dutch bar snacks. It’s the kind of place that works for everything: first dates, catching up with friends or introducing your parents to cocktails.
Note from me: order a Twinkle. Criminally underrated. Vodka and champagne, enough said. And say hi to the resident dogs Mina and Bean.
De Blauwe Parade - Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 178, Amsterdam
Shakerato
This one I’ve personally been waiting on for years. Owner Eric van Beek is also behind Handshake Speakeasy (yes, one of the best bars in the world) and has now returned to Amsterdam with Shakerato, just off Leidseplein.
From the moment you walk in, you feel it. A loud welcome from the team, hot towels, and an energy that feels very un-Amsterdam in the best way. It feels international, a little theatrical and honestly… a bit Sex and the City. Start with a mini martini while you browse the menu, which mixes signatures from Mexico City with new creations. Pair it with bites from Michelin-starred Showw and settle in for a night that feels slightly more elevated than your average bar crawl.
Shakerato - Stadhouderskade 7, Amsterdam
Nido
Nido, which means ‘nest’ in Spanish, brings a softer, Mediterranean energy to Amsterdam Oost. The cocktail menu is inspired by personal memories from the team, while also being thoughtful when it comes to sustainability. They work closely with Orchid House and even reuse elements from the kitchen in their drinks. It’s the kind of place where you can tell a lot of care went into it, without it ever feeling heavy. Most cocktails are available low-ABV or non-alcoholic, which means you can try a few without regretting your life choices the next day.
From summer 2026 they’ll open a rooftop terrace with views over Amsterdam and a subtle beachy feel. One to keep on your radar.
Nido - Linnaeusstraat 2C, Amsterdam
