Best Rooftop Bars in Amsterdam for Sunset Drinks

Amsterdam skyline at sunset from a rooftop bar.

Amsterdam is flat. Anything higher than four storeys gives you a meaningful view of the city, and rooftop bars know it. The best ones make good use of the elevation; the worst are just a bar with expensive drinks and a view of other rooftops. Here's how to tell the difference.

What to Look For

A good rooftop bar in Amsterdam needs three things: a proper canal view or skyline view (not just a courtyard or car park), reasonable prices for the city, and enough outdoor space to stand outside comfortably. Several popular spots technically count as rooftop bars but fail on one or two of these.

The Best Options

WET Deck at W Amsterdam (Spuistraat): Sits on top of one of Amsterdam's design hotels with a pool deck and a view of the Old Centre. One of the highest publicly accessible points in central Amsterdam. Expensive, but the view is genuine. Reservations recommended in summer.

Monkey Bar at Hotel V Nesplein: Lower-key than the W, but the rooftop terrace has a good canal-facing aspect and the drinks are better priced. A good option for a crowd-free evening.

Brouwerij 't IJ terrace: Not technically a rooftop, but the exterior terrace beside a working windmill in east Amsterdam has a view and atmosphere that most city-centre rooftops can't match. Better in daylight hours. The beers are brewed on site and worth having.

SkyLounge at DoubleTree by Hilton (near Centraal Station): Gives you a panoramic view over the IJ waterway and north Amsterdam. The view is excellent; the atmosphere skews tourist. Still worth it for the perspective it gives on the city's layout.

Timing

Sunset in Amsterdam in summer falls between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM. This means sunset drinks happen late. Most rooftop bars get busiest around 8:00–9:00 PM in July and August — arrive by 7:30 PM if you want a seat before the crowd builds.

In May and June, sunset is around 9:00 PM and the rooftops are slightly less packed. Good light from around 7:30 PM.

In September and October, the light changes earlier (8:00–9:00 PM) and the rooftop season starts to wind down. Some terraces have outdoor heaters, but evenings cool fast after sunset.

What to Avoid

Bars that charge a cover or minimum spend just to access the roof are rarely worth it. A weekday queue for a rooftop bar usually means it's too small for its own popularity.

If you want to visit several Amsterdam rooftop and bar spots in one evening, an Airbnb Experiences bar tour can take you to a combination of rooftop venues and canal-side spots with a local who knows which crowds to avoid.

Our Amsterdam guide covers the best viewpoints in the city — rooftop and otherwise — including how to time a sunset walk on the Canal Belt to make the most of the evening light without paying hotel prices.