Editorial
Amsterdam has the most underrated bar scene of any major European capital. Door 74 set the modern speakeasy template here in 2008; the city has built around it. The 10 below mix serious cocktail bars with brown cafés (the local term for the centuries-old neighbourhood pubs) and one essential brewery taproom.
Pair a brown café (Café 't Smalle, In't Aepjen) with a serious cocktail bar (Door 74, Tales & Spirits) and you've understood the city. Most cocktail bars require reservations for weekend nights but are walk-in friendly Monday-Wednesday. The Jordaan is the best neighbourhood for an evening's walking; the Centrum gets you the historic addresses.
European Editor — based in London. Twelve years across Soho, Marais and Mitte. Strong opinions about ice.