10x the Most Beautiful and Newest Rooftop Bars in Amsterdam

Apply plenty of sunscreen, pull a light outfit from your wardrobe and head to one of these rooftop bars in Amsterdam. Beautiful views, a cooling breeze and the most delicious cocktails guaranteed!

Do you already know these rooftop bars in Amsterdam?

1. Zoku

What exactly is Zoku? A kind of hotel-apartment-office where you can stay as a globalista/globalisto for a day, a week or months, a mouthwatering breakfast buffet and a gym with super-healthy juices on the ground floor. The rooftop terrace is wonderfully peaceful, spacious and surprisingly quiet. Even the disco is quiet, if you know what we mean. On June 28, there will be another silent disco on the roof. And: free entry! You’re welcome from 5:00 p.m.; the silent disco starts at 7:00 p.m.

2. Soho House

The former Faculty of Languages at the University of Amsterdam was thoroughly renovated years ago into Soho House; a chic club and hotel, with a swimming pool and poolside bar on the roof. There’s little chance you can simply make your way to the top floor with your rolled-up towel under your arm, because this is a private club, members only – but you can always try, right? Fortunately, the restaurant downstairs is open to everyone. And those pizzas and courgette fries: you’ll want them.

3. GAPP

Bring all your friends to the 8th floor of hotel Casa and enjoy the glorious sunshine, beautiful views, extensive beer list and delicious dishes at GAPP. This place is both a rooftop bar and beer garden, with more than 35 specialty beers from local breweries on the menu. Order your ‘Hassebassie’ and don’t know what that means? They’ll be happy to explain it to you, Dibbes!

4. LuminAir

On the roof of the DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station, you’ll enjoy a truly wonderful view at LuminAir. LuminAir represents the energy of the city’s ever-changing skies. That’s why you’ll find cloud-like art on the ceiling. At this sky bar, it’s all about new wave mixology, with the most surprising and flavourful cocktails on the menu. From as fresh and light as the morning air to as spicy and strong as the fiery red sunset – all incredibly delicious. Also fun: the Sunday Brunch at LuminAir.

5. A’dam Toren

Is it a rooftop terrace? Not really, to be honest. Is it cool? Absolutely. Because on the top floor of the Amsterdam Toren, you can swing. It’s the highest swing in Europe, and your legs extend well over the edge when you swing forward. Calm your trembling knees and queasy stomach in the rotating panoramic Restaurant Moon or at Madam Restaurant & Skybar.

6. Floor17

On the roof of the Ramada Apollo Amsterdam Hotel, 85 metres up in the air, you can sit high and dry at Floor17. Lounge sofas, beanbags, cocktails, grilled bites from the Big Green Egg… and in winter there’s an ice rink on the roof. Also good to know: movie nights and other parties are held here. Every Friday, for example, there’s Skyline disco on the roof.

7. Canvas

From breakfast buffet to last orders, on the top floor of Volkshotel at restaurant Canvas you can enjoy the view almost around the clock. If the weather is a little disappointing, you can also head inside. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can go to Canvas Nights, where the resident DJs play music into the late hours. 

8. Fitz’s on the Roof

Fitz’s on the Roof is the rooftop bar of the beautiful Pillows Hotel Maurits at the Park on the Oosterpark. On a sunny day or warm summer evening, the lounge is a wonderful place to relax. At Fitz’s, you can choose from distinctive cocktails on the menu, but a classic Paloma or Gin and Tonic is of course also an option.

9. Selva and Sonora

Take the lift to the 24th floor and you’ll find yourself in the middle of a rainforest. Cocktail bar Senoro in the nhow hotel is an ode to the Amazon rainforest, filled with exotic plants and trickling water. Next to the cocktail bar, you can also dine at rooftop restaurant Selva. The dishes on the menu are Latin American, including ceviche and grilled meat.

9. REM

Restaurant REM is a unique place in the city. In the past, REM Island was a platform in the North Sea, but since 2011 it has stood on stilts in the water in the Nieuwe Houthaven. REM has three floors: a bar where you can enjoy playing games, a restaurant – where the view is already amazing – and a rooftop bar. Wherever you sit at REM, the atmosphere is relaxed – nomen est omen; chef Bobby Rust is in the kitchen – and convivial. It feels a little like being in Berlin. The menu features finger food such as fried padron peppers and small tacos. Be sure to order the bread with butter, which comes in the shape of Pac-Man and in unusual flavours.

Read also:

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• 14x the most fun and beautiful courtyards in Amsterdam
• 37x the very best beach bars throughout the Netherlands

Header image: Fitz’s on the Roof