Unique hospitality concept: Bar Claes in Amsterdam
I’m often asked: “What are truly cool hospitality concepts?” Here’s my answer! Every week, I take you to the most extraordinary restaurants, bars and hotels at home and abroad. Today’s newest hotspot in Amsterdam: hotel bar Bar Claes.
Looking for a bar with a real wow factor? Then step inside the brand-new Park Centraal hotel (formerly Park Hotel), on Amsterdam’s Stadhouderskade. Immediately after entering, you’ll find Bar Claes on the left, the newest hotel bar where you want to be seen right now!
Hip and happening
Let’s start with the phenomenon of the ‘hotel bar’. For a long time, hotel bars were tucked away in a corner. Fortunately, those days are over. The hotel bar is hip and happening, also for people who aren’t staying at the hotel. That’s why Bar Claes attracts both hotel guests and Amsterdammers.
Exuberant design
The bar’s exuberant design immediately catches the eye. With its beautiful furniture and mirrored ceiling, it’s slightly glamorous, but without making you feel uncomfortable. In fact, the bar is wonderfully accessible! A place where you can easily have a cup of coffee, but also spend hours enjoying tasty snacks and drinks. Whether you’re by yourself or with friends. Another eye-catching feature is the oak floor with its patterns: fabulous seventies style!
Food and drinks
And then there’s the menu. Naturally, you can enjoy a delicious cocktail here, but it’s also a great spot for food. The menu features small all-day snacks, such as bruschetta and deviled eggs, and another nice touch: stroopwafels and croquettes! A menu with a Dutch touch, then. And if you’d like to sit down for a more elaborate meal afterwards, you can: restaurant MOMO is in the same building.
Park Centraal hotel
Bar Claes can be found in Park Centraal. This hotel has 189 rooms, all featuring contemporary design and combining comfort with Dutch influences. To achieve this, the designers used deep colours, rich textures and artworks by local artist Kat Klerks. Park Centraal was therefore nominated for Best Hotel Design 2019, a category at the Entree Awards.
The Hague
Next year, Park Hotel in The Hague will undergo the same restyling and rebranding as the Amsterdam location.
Bar Claes, Stadhouderskade 25 in Amsterdam
Image: Steve Herud
Iris Kranenburg is editor-in-chief of hospitality trade magazine Entree Magazine and chair of the jury for the annual Entree Awards (industry awards for the best new bars, restaurants and hotels in the Netherlands).
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