The Best Rooftop & Waterfront Bars in Amsterdam
Panoramic terraces and laid-back spots right on the water
The best rooftop and waterfront bars in Amsterdam — 360° tower views, sky-high cocktails and laid-back beach bars on the IJ.
Flat as it is, Amsterdam still does heights and water beautifully — from tower-top terraces with citywide views to bohemian bars right on the IJ. Here's where to drink with a view.
LuminAir
Atop the DoubleTree by Hilton beside Centraal, one of the city's most famous rooftops — a sweeping panorama over the old city and the IJ, an open-air terrace, and DJs turning it into a buzzy club-bar after dark.
Madam (A'DAM Toren)
On top of the A'DAM Toren in Noord, sharing the floor with the Lookout (and its over-the-edge swing): a 360° view of the whole city, unbeatable at sunset, that becomes a nightclub from 21:30.
Canvas
On the roof of the Volkshotel on the Wibautstraat in Oost, a trendy, artistic terrace over the eastern city — coffee and views by day, DJ sets and a younger crowd late into the night.
Twenty Third Bar
On the 23rd floor of the Hotel Okura in Oud-Zuid, 78 metres up: a refined spot for wine, champagne or a cocktail paired with a wide, elegant view over the south of the city.
Hannekes Boom
A bohemian, reclaimed-wood waterfront hangout near Centraal, with a big beer garden right on the water, live music and DJ nights, Dutch craft beer and the city's best cheese sticks. A summer institution.
Pllek
On the NDSM wharf in Noord, reached by free ferry from behind Centraal: a laid-back beach bar built from shipping containers, with sand, water views and a relaxed all-day-into-night vibe.
Time it for golden hour, when the light turns the city amber and the canals glow — the views are the whole point.
Keep reading
Nightlife
The Best Bars in the Jordaan
The best bars in the Jordaan — a crawl through Amsterdam's coziest neighbourhood, from centuries-old brown cafés to a James Bond cocktail den.
Nightlife
A First-Timer's Guide to Amsterdam Nightlife
A first-timer's guide to Amsterdam nightlife — the key going-out areas, what kind of night each offers, and how to do it like a local.
Nightlife
The Best Wine Bars in Amsterdam
The best wine bars in Amsterdam — from the city's natural-wine pioneer to a champagne bar by Dam Square and a winery that makes its own in Noord.