Ten Amsterdam bars our editors book for NYE — countdown rooms, midnight pours, sensible cover charges.
New Year's Eve in Amsterdam divides into two camps: the venues that double their cover charge and triple the drink prices, and the venues that quietly run a great evening at honest rates because they have always done so. Our editors only recommend the second category. These ten bars in Amsterdam are the ones our team books for our own New Year's Eve, and the cover charges below are what we paid the last time we went.
Our Amsterdam New Year's Eve picks, in order
The first six picks below are the editors' default — the rooms we send a friend to first when they ask. Each is followed by a recommendation we have ordered ourselves at least three times. Click any bar name to read the full review, signature drink notes, neighbourhood guide and how to book.
Pulitzer's Bar sits in Centrum, and the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the table is yours for the night, no turn at 11pm, and the kitchen runs through to 1am. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Tales & Spirits sits in Centrum, and the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the New Year's Eve booking opens in October and the cover charge is published, not hidden behind a 'minimum spend'. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Door 74 (in Centrum) the door 74 old fashioned is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the midnight pour is included in the cover and the staff have rehearsed the countdown. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
At Hiding In Plain Sight in De Pijp, the hps sour is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the midnight pour is included in the cover and the staff have rehearsed the countdown. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Vesper Bar sits in Jordaan, and the vesper martini arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. the New Year's Eve booking opens in October and the cover charge is published, not hidden behind a 'minimum spend'. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Rosalia's Menagerie (in Centrum) the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the midnight pour is included in the cover and the staff have rehearsed the countdown. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Order: Rosalia's Botanical
The full Amsterdam guideEvery bar category, every neighbourhood. Our complete Amsterdam guide covers cocktail bars, rooftops, hidden gems and more across the city.
These last four are the editors' deeper-cut picks. Smaller rooms, more specific energy. If the first six feel obvious to you — meaning you have already been — start here.
Mercer Cocktail Bar (in Centrum) the mercer negroni is on the menu year-round for a reason, and the bartenders pour with intent. the midnight pour is included in the cover and the staff have rehearsed the countdown. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
At Twenty Third Bar in De Pijp, the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the table is yours for the night, no turn at 11pm, and the kitchen runs through to 1am. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
At The Tailor in Centrum, the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the midnight pour is included in the cover and the staff have rehearsed the countdown. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Flying Dutchmen Cocktails (in Centrum) the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the midnight pour is included in the cover and the staff have rehearsed the countdown. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Order: Flying Dutchman Punch
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More Rooftop Bars in AmsterdamThe full editor-curated list of Rooftop Bars in Amsterdam, with neighbourhood notes and signature-drink picks.
NYE is the one night where booking three months ahead is not an overreaction. Most rooms on this list confirm bookings from October. Two practical notes. Confirm whether your booking includes a midnight pour — most do not, and a £25 surcharge appears at 11.45pm. And ask whether the table is yours for the night or whether it turns at 11pm. The honest venues will tell you straight.
Other seasonal Amsterdam guidesFrom New Year's Eve to Halloween - every annual Amsterdam occasion our editors cover, cross-linked.
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