Elevate Your Weekend Plans with These Rooftop Bars in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s skyline isn’t just about gabled houses and windmills-it’s also dotted with hidden decks, glass-walled lounges, and terraces that turn the city’s canals into your personal postcard. If you’ve ever watched the golden hour light bounce off the water from a street-level cafe and thought, What if I could be higher?, then you’re ready for Amsterdam’s rooftop bar scene. These aren’t just places to drink. They’re vantage points. They’re where the city breathes, where the buzz of the Jordaan meets the quiet glide of a barge below, and where you can sip a craft gin while the sun dips behind the Westerkerk.

Where the City Unfolds Above the Canals

Most tourists stick to the ground level, lining up for stroopwafels at Albert Cuyp or snapping photos of the Anne Frank House. But locals? They know the real magic happens five floors up. Start with The Skybar at the Hotel Okura. It’s not flashy, but it’s reliable. The view stretches from the Amstel River to the North Sea Canal, and their Dutch gin flight-featuring Hendrick’s, Mijns, and the local favorite, Botanist-is curated by a sommelier who knows which botanicals grow in the Dutch dunes. Order the Amsterdam Mule: local gin, ginger beer from De Kas, and a splash of elderflower syrup. Sip it slowly as the canal boats turn on their lights.

For something quieter, head to De Drie Graefjes on the rooftop of the Pulitzer Amsterdam. It’s tucked behind a quiet courtyard, away from the crowds near Dam Square. The bar doesn’t play loud music-just jazz records from the 1960s, spun by a local DJ who used to work at the legendary De School. The cocktails are named after Dutch painters: the Rembrandt Sour (rye, blackberry, lemon, and a dash of cardamom) tastes like a portrait in a glass. Bring a friend. Sit by the edge. Watch the bicycles roll past on the Prinsengracht below.

When the Sun Sets, the City Comes Alive

Amsterdam doesn’t have a traditional sunset like Miami or Barcelona. The sky doesn’t blaze orange-it softens. It turns pale gold, then lavender, then a deep indigo that reflects perfectly on the water. That’s why rooftop bars here are designed for twilight. Roof 360 at the NH Collection Amsterdam Centre is the only place in the city with a 360-degree view. You can see the entire canal ring: the Singel, the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht. On Friday nights, they serve Stroopwafel Martinis-a sweet, caramel-infused twist on the classic-with a side of warm stroopwafels fresh from a nearby bakery. It’s not just a drink. It’s a tradition, elevated.

Don’t miss Bar 1881 on top of the Grand Hotel Amrâth. It’s old-school elegant. Think velvet couches, brass lamps, and a barkeep who remembers your name after one visit. They use Dutch apple brandy in their Appelbier cocktail-mixing it with local cider and a touch of smoked sea salt. It’s the kind of drink that makes you pause. You look out over the city, and for a moment, you forget you’re in a tourist hotspot. You feel like you’re part of it.

Weather? No Problem.

Let’s be honest: Amsterdam rain is a constant. But the best rooftop bars here don’t shut down when the clouds roll in. Top of the West, perched above the Westergasfabriek, has retractable glass roofs and heated seating. It’s the go-to spot for expats and creatives from the nearby art schools. They serve Heineken 0.0 in copper mugs and have a rotating menu of Dutch cheeses paired with seasonal jams-like pear and thyme with Gouda aged 18 months. On chilly evenings, they light small fire pits along the terrace. You’ll find people wrapped in wool blankets, sipping warm mulled wine, laughing with friends under string lights. It’s not glamorous. It’s real.

Local Rules You Won’t Find in Travel Blogs

There’s a rhythm to Amsterdam’s rooftop scene. You don’t just show up at 7 p.m. and expect a table. Most places take reservations for the 8:30 p.m. slot-especially on weekends. Walk-ins? You’ll wait. And if you’re going to De Hallen’s rooftop bar, bring cash. They don’t take cards after 10 p.m. because the system crashes from the volume.

Also, don’t wear flip-flops. Not because it’s snobby-it’s because the terraces are uneven, made of old brick or wet wood. Locals wear smart-casual: dark jeans, a nice sweater, maybe a wool coat. No tourist hats. No loud groups. This isn’t Ibiza. It’s Amsterdam. The vibe is calm, quiet, respectful.

And if you’re coming from outside the city? Take the tram. Parking near the canals is a nightmare. Tram 16 runs from Central Station to the Westerpark area, and it’s the easiest way to reach the best spots. Or better yet-rent a bike. Ride to the rooftop. Leave it locked near the entrance. It’s how the Dutch do it.

Hidden Gems Only Locals Know

Most lists mention the same five places. But here’s one you won’t find on Google: De Rozenboom, a tiny rooftop bar hidden above a florist on the Lijnbaansgracht. You walk through a narrow door, past hanging orchids, and up a wooden staircase. There’s no sign. Just a single lantern. Inside, it’s cozy-six tables, a piano player on weekends, and a bartender who makes drinks based on your mood. Ask for the Amsterdamsche Droom-a mix of genever, chamomile tea, and honey from the hives on the city’s rooftop beehives. It’s sweet, floral, and tastes like the Netherlands in a glass.

Another secret? The rooftop of De Ceuvel, a sustainable eco-project in Amsterdam-Noord. It’s not a bar, but every Friday evening, they turn the garden into an open-air lounge with local DJs, organic cocktails made from foraged herbs, and food from migrant-run pop-ups. Bring your own blanket. Sit under the stars. Listen to the wind rustle through the reeds. It’s the quietest, most authentic rooftop experience in the city.

When to Go, and What to Skip

Friday and Saturday nights are packed. If you want space, go on a Thursday. Or better yet-go on a Sunday afternoon. The light is softer, the crowds are gone, and the staff has time to talk. Some bars even offer free tasting flights between 3 and 5 p.m. on Sundays. Try Bar 1881’s Botanical Journey-five small pours of Dutch spirits, each paired with a different herb from the garden.

Avoid the places that advertise “Amsterdam’s #1 Rooftop Bar.” Those are usually tourist traps with overpriced drinks and no view. If the sign says “Instagrammable!”-walk away. The best spots don’t need to say it. You’ll know when you’re there.

What Makes a Rooftop Bar Truly Amsterdam?

It’s not the height. It’s the perspective. Amsterdam’s rooftops don’t just give you a view-they give you context. You see how the city is built: the narrow houses squeezed together, the bicycles stacked like firewood, the boats tied up like they’ve been there for centuries. You see the church spires, the bridge lights, the way the fog rolls in off the IJ river. You taste the local gin, the apple brandy, the cheese, the honey. You hear the Dutch language spoken softly, the laughter of expats who’ve lived here ten years, the clink of glasses as the sun fades.

This isn’t just about drinking. It’s about belonging. Even for a day. Even for an hour. In Amsterdam, the rooftops don’t separate you from the city-they pull you closer to it.

If you’re looking to make your weekend unforgettable, skip the crowded tram rides and the packed cafés. Head up. Find a quiet corner. Watch the city glow. That’s the real Amsterdam.