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Amsterdam Rooftop Bars: Where to Find the Best Views, Vibes, and Cocktails
21 July 2025 0 Comments Derek Callahan

Standing by Amsterdam’s canals at twilight, you might imagine the city’s best escapes lie right at water level. But head up a few stories and things really change. Rooftop bars in Amsterdam have quietly exploded over the last five years, turning humble terraces into open-air playgrounds that overlook the city’s signature blend of gabled rooftops, shimmering waterways, and the endless parade of bikes below. It’s not just about a drink; this is about claiming a slice of altitude in a famously flat city. If you haven’t stepped up for a summer sunset from above lately—maybe it’s time to see what you’ve been missing.

Why Rooftop Bars Have Captured Amsterdam’s Imagination

You don’t need to work for the city’s tourism board to notice more people chasing horizon views lately. Amsterdam has a unique look from above: nowhere else delivers the same checkerboard of old canal belts, church towers, and modern glass. Perched above Damrak or gazing out from Zuidas, you realize how rare open space becomes as the city grows more compact every year. Rooftop bars give that breathing room. Most patios are set up for lazy afternoons and evenings—double-digit heights rarely threatened by any wind stronger than a brisk Dutch breeze. Locals say there’s nothing like it after a week spent dodging trams and tourists.

It’s not only about atmosphere. The city’s building laws mean few towers ever reach proper skyscraper status (think the A’DAM Toren, one of the taller outliers). This makes every rooftop that much more special—there just aren’t many of them, particularly in the UNESCO-protected core. And that scarcity fuels their popularity. A study done in early 2025 showed the city has less than a dozen rooftop bars with truly panoramic views, versus more than 200 canalside café terraces. It’s exclusive, in a Dutch way—welcoming anyone, but never feeling overcrowded.

This is the new favorite gathering spot for after-work drinks, low-key birthdays, and even a few dates that need a dose of novelty after the usual boat rides. The crowd is mixed: you’ll find lifelong Amsterdammers, international students, freelancers tapping away on laptops, and travelers who have mastered the art of a good Google search. Rooftop bars in Amsterdam also often serve up local collaborations—think gin from the city’s own Wynand Fockink, cheese boards with Beemster, and Dutch design details in everything from the outdoor chairs to the light fixtures. Not just international style—definitely a sense of place.

Mapping the City’s Best Sky-High Spots

Not all rooftops are created equal. In Amsterdam, a few names always come up. The most iconic? Easy—A’DAM Toren’s Moon, with its 360-degree view and insane elevator light show. Just across the IJ, REM Eiland stands out for one odd reason: it’s a former offshore pirate TV platform that’s now moored inland (trust the Dutch to make something wild feel cozy). For South Amsterdam locals, Twenty Third at Hotel Okura turns the top floor of a luxury hotel into a plush den with a cocktail list good enough for royalty. Skylounge DoubleTree has the best train-tracker view—right over Centraal Station—and tends to draw office workers, creative types, and Canal Belt fashionistas in equal measure.

If you’re in the market for something less fancy, Canvas at Volkshotel offers graffiti, affordable beers, and a place where musicians and artists mingle instead of Instagrammers. The terrace gets packed on warm days, but the sunsets from up here are unbeatable, and their infamous club nights roll straight from rooftop to basement. Then there’s W Lounge, which goes all-in on poolside glamour (yes, there’s a pool), DJs, and surreal photo ops with the Royal Palace as your backdrop.

For a local twist: Madam offers Dutch-inspired flavors and bites, as well as a silent disco set every last Friday of the month. At Floor17, you can actually try rooftop curling during winter months—high-altitude sport, anyone? And check the summer event schedules; a lot of these places do pop-up cinemas, yoga brunches, and themed nights celebrating everything from King’s Day to Amsterdam Pride.

What to Order (and How to Blend In With the Crowd)

What to Order (and How to Blend In With the Crowd)

No sense visiting Amsterdam’s rooftops and sticking to a plain Heineken. Yes, that’s always available—but trendier joints up top are where the city’s creative bartenders try out their best seasonal recipes. A signature cocktail to expect: gin from the city’s local distilleries, muddled with fresh herbs and fruits grown in Holland’s greenhouses. Most menus rotate with the weather; think spritzes in summer (often orange in color to show Dutch pride), mulled wine when it’s cold, and plenty of low-ABV options for bike-friendly evenings. Vegan snacks and Dutch borrelhappen (think bitterballen or cheese cubes with mustard) are the city’s gift to hungry rooftop-goers.

Curious about trends? Kombucha and craft sodas are everywhere, especially for those skipping alcohol. On weekends, you’ll see elaborate brunch cocktails—Bloody Marys with pickles from Noordermarkt, or espresso martinis featuring beans roasted a couple canals away. And if you want to fit in with the locals, just chat up the bartender; Amsterdammers love recommending their favorites, especially if you show genuine interest in something besides just snapping a few skyline pics.

Drinks in these places don’t come cheap—but for perspective, a cocktail here typically costs 12-16 euros, not hugely different from canal-side bars, and nearly always with better views. Some places have cover charges on event nights, but a quick online check will keep you from any surprises. For the best seats, always reserve—especially on sunny weekends, birthdays, or when Amsterdam Dance Event or Pride Festival is in full swing.

Secret Perks and Handy Tips for Rooftop Bar Hopping

You don’t have to buy into the myth that all rooftops are for tourists. Plenty are tucked into neighborhoods nowhere near Dam Square. For example, Bureau, in the business district, has a rooftop garden buzzing with local office workers at lunch. Some banks and office buildings host pop-up rooftop bars—keep an eye out in summer, especially near De Pijp or Zuid.

If you’re cycling, remember: bike parking is never easy near the busiest rooftops. Plan for a few blocks’ walk, or use the Metro for Oost and Noord locations. The dress code? Amsterdam-casual usually works, which is basically neat sneakers and a rain jacket just in case—but the flashier venues near Dam Square may appreciate a collared shirt or sundress. No one expects a suit or heels unless you’re aiming for a wedding proposal—seriously, those have happened at Moon and Floor17 before.

Accessibility matters, too. A lot of older buildings have steep Dutch stairs instead of lifts, so do your research if mobility or strollers are a concern. And always double-check opening hours; some terraces are only open in the evening, and closing times can shift with the season or special events.

Here’s a quick snapshot from early 2025, showing a comparison of the most popular rooftop bars and their unique features:

Bar NameBest ForSpecial PerksTypical Crowd
Moon (A'DAM Toren)360-degree views, rotating restaurantLight show elevator, vegan menusLocals, tourists, special occasions
REM EilandOffbeat locationHistorical platform, seafood dinnersAdventurous locals, expats
Canvas (Volkshotel)Casual drinks, eventsLive gigs, affordable eats, club nightsYoung creatives, students
Skylounge DoubleTreeCentral views, business meetupsTrain spotting, large terraceProfessionals, urban explorers
W LoungePool parties, DJ setsPool access, luxury brunchesFashion crowd, party-goers
Why Locals Love Their Rooftops (and What’s Next for Amsterdam’s High Life)

Why Locals Love Their Rooftops (and What’s Next for Amsterdam’s High Life)

So why have these sky-high hangouts gone from novelty to must-do? Think about the Dutch lifestyle: anti-pretentious, always up for gezelligheid (cosy togetherness), and a little obsessed with squeezing every drop out of the city’s famously unpredictable weather. When the sun finally shows up in Amsterdam, nobody wants to sit inside. Rooftop bars have adapted perfectly to this tempo—pop open the terrace on the first blue-sky afternoon, close it up when the clouds roll in, and cycle home feeling twice as refreshed.

Most places now offer blankets for those cool North Sea breezes, and crafty owners even install retractable roofs to keep things hopping when rain threatens. The city’s green initiatives mean some rooftops double as urban gardens, growing herbs for the bar downstairs or providing honey from rooftop hives. If you’re a sucker for bragging rights, these spots almost always come with unbeatable backgrounds for a selfie—think Amstel river bends, the Nemo Science Museum’s green whale rooftop, and church towers poking up everywhere you look.

But this isn’t just a trend. A city-funded plan aims for more than 25% of Amsterdam’s roofs to be green spaces or hospitality zones by 2030—expect the number of rooftop bars to continue climbing (pun intended). The next evolution will likely see even more locally sourced menus, zero-waste cocktails, and community events. A few venues already host language exchanges or trivia nights, proving that rooftops are as much about conversation and connection as they are about the drinks in hand.

Whether you’re chasing sunsets with an old friend or meeting business contacts for a panoramic lunch, Amsterdam’s sky bars open up the city in a new way. And if you don’t believe it, just grab a seat, order a locally inspired cocktail, and watch the city glow beneath you. Amsterdam may run on canals—but the best nights? Those happen above the skyline, one roof at a time.