Best Rooftop Bars in Amsterdam for Views, Drinks and Sunset
Six rooftop bars where the IJ spreads below, sunset hits between 19:45 and 20:00, and a cocktail costs between €6 and €25.
Amsterdam's rooftops claim the city as their footstool. The bars that sit on them divide into two tribes: the hotel lounges near Dam Square charging €17–€25 a drink with a reservation list that fills by Thursday, and the neighbourhood spots in Oost and East that serve €13–€16 cocktails and let you walk in on a Tuesday. The difference is not in the skyline—you get that anywhere 85 metres up—but in what you trade to see it. September is the month to visit. The equinox arrives on the 23rd, which means sunset stays late enough for an early dinner and a long golden hour that starts around 19:16. By early October it collapses to 18:45. The entries below are ordered by booking difficulty, because that friction defines the whole evening: where you can plan three weeks ahead sits next to where you show up after 17:00 on a Tuesday and take what the terrace holds. Most upscale rooftop bars require smart casual—no sportswear, flip-flops or beach attire—though the casual-dress spots are relaxed enough to let trainers and jeans pass.
LuminAir
Oosterdoksstraat 4, Central Station · Cocktail bar · €49 afternoon tea, cocktails from €17; 18+ after 22:00; book ahead
LuminAir sits on the 11th floor of DoubleTree by Hilton beside Centraal Station, its glass-walled terrace looking over the IJ waterfront and city centre. Best at sunset, when the harbour light is at its best; arrive early for a terrace seat. Dress code is smart casual; offensive wear or beach attire is not allowed. It's an 18+ venue after 22:00. Afternoon tea in the clouds costs €49 per person.
W Lounge
Spuistraat 175, Dam Square · Cocktail bar with pool deck · €17–€25 cocktails; May–September pool terrace; book ahead
W Lounge occupies the 6th floor of W Amsterdam near Dam Square; entry is free and non-guests are welcome, but the rooftop pool terrace (open seasonally May to September) has a reservation list that fills by Thursday for the weekend. Expect cocktails at €17–€25 and a smart-casual door policy; the adjacent Mr Porter steakhouse shares the roof terrace with an unobstructed view over the Royal Palace. Best for a warm afternoon by the pool, or a late drink with the centre below.
Floor 17
Rembrandtplein, Rembrandt Park · Restaurant and cocktail bar · Cocktails ~€17; smart casual; year-round
Floor 17 sits on the roof of Leonardo Hotel at 85 metres above the ground—the highest bar in Amsterdam. You can watch sunsets with a cocktail in modern lounge furniture; cocktails cost around €17. Dress code is smart casual. It's best to make a reservation in advance so you don't miss out on the view. In winter, expect an indoor area with glass walls; in summer, an open-air terrace awaits at 85 metres high.
Canvas
Wibautstraat 150, East Amsterdam · Restaurant and bar · €13–€16 cocktails; casual dress; walk-ins welcome
Canvas at Volkshotel converts a 1960s newspaper office into a 7th-floor terrace that looks north over the Amstel into the centre; cocktails sit at €13–€16, below most hotel bars. Weekends bring club programming until 04:00 in the downstairs venue, so arrive for sunset drinks on the roof and stay for a DJ set. Canvas is more relaxed about clothing than upscale rooftop bars. Weekday afternoons stay quiet; Friday nights fill up by 19:00.
GAPP
Eerste Ringdijkstraat 4, Oost · Beer garden with terrace · €6–€8 per pint; casual dress; walk-ins or 10+ reservation
GAPP tops Hotel Casa in Oost on the 8th floor; the garden keeps a rotating list of more than 30 Dutch craft beers (€6–€8 a pint) and a honest kitchen of bitterballen, flatbreads and vegan bowls. It's the budget winner of the list and the most relaxed on dress code—trainers and jeans are fine. Reservations are possible for groups over 10 people on weekdays, otherwise it works on a first come, first served basis. GAPP's rooftop terrace is one of the finest rooftops on the Amstel; from here you look out over the city while traffic continues as usual below.
Blue Amsterdam
Singel 457, City Centre · Café and restaurant · Cocktails from €-; casual dress; walk-in year-round
Blue Amsterdam is mainly a walk-in venue; just take the glass elevator up for a nice lunch with a view, a break during shopping, or some chill sunset drinks. You can visit all year round. The colourful rooftop menu features all day breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, salads and soups, as well as creative cocktails and home-made drinks. Dress code is casual. It's a rooftop café and restaurant with 360° view.
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