Insider's Pick
📷 2
Photos
Shot by a City Insiders curator.
Flying Dutchmen Cocktails
★ 5.0(1 review)Bar
classicintimateknowledgeable
About the Vibe
Flying Dutchmen Cocktails is Tess Posthumus's masterclass in classic mixology, housed in a 1662 national monument on the Singel. With the Netherlands' largest backbar boasting over 900 spirits, this place takes its mission seriously: teaching Amsterdam proper cocktail culture, one perfectly executed Old Fashioned at a time. It's the city's latest cocktail bar (open until 4 am), but don't expect gimmicks—this is where you go to understand what a real cocktail should taste like before the bartenders start deconstructing it.
Known For
- •largest backbar in the Netherlands with 900+ spirits
- •neo-classic cocktails
- •Tess Posthumus's expertise
- •Esquire's Best Cocktailbar 2018
Best For
late-night drinkscocktail educationspecial occasions
1 review
City InsidersEditorialMarch 30, 2026
Masterclass in Classic Cocktails
Flying Dutchmen Cocktails isn't just another trendy bar in Amsterdam—it's a serious statement about what cocktail culture should be. Owned by Tess Posthumus, a world-renowned bartender, this intimate space in a 1662 monument building takes its mission to heart: teaching the Dutch to appreciate proper cocktails before they start innovating. The backbar is staggering, with over 900 unique spirits, the largest collection in the Netherlands.
What sets Flying Dutchmen apart is its philosophy. While other bars chase Instagram-worthy presentations, Tess and her team focus on mastering the classics first. The bartenders here genuinely know their craft, able to explain the difference between a proper Old Fashioned and a watered-down version. The atmosphere is warm and intimate, perfect for settling in at the bar and watching the magic happen. It's open until 4 am, seven days a week, making it the latest cocktail bar in Amsterdam—a rare find for night owls who want quality over quantity.
The awards speak for themselves: Esquire's Best Cocktailbar 2018, Top 10 Best Cocktailbar Europe 2019, and a nomination at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. But what really matters is the experience. You'll leave understanding why a perfectly balanced drink matters, and you'll want to come back to try the next classic on the menu.