A jenever bar Amsterdam style is a small, old-fashioned tasting house where Dutch gin is served in tulip-shaped glasses filled right to the brim. This guide is for adults who want to try jenever, the juniper-flavoured spirit that came before modern gin, and need to know what to order, how to drink it and where to start. Alcohol is only for visitors of legal drinking age (18 in the Netherlands for most drinks, but check current rules), and please drink responsibly.
What is jenever?
Jenever (also spelled genever) is a traditional Dutch and Belgian spirit made from malt wine and juniper berries. It is the historical ancestor of English gin. There are two broad styles:
- Jonge (young): lighter, smoother and cleaner, with less malt flavour. A good starting point.
- Oude (old): richer, maltier and more full-bodied, often compared with whisky. Despite the name, “oude” refers to the style rather than the age.
You may also see korenwijn, a stronger-tasting version with a higher malt content, usually aged in oak. Fruit-flavoured jenevers are also common, but the plain styles tell you more.
How to drink at a jenever bar Amsterdam style
The traditional serving is called a kopstootje, meaning “little headbutt”. It is a glass of jenever with a small glass of beer next to it. The glass is so full that you are expected to lean down and take the first sip without lifting it, keeping your hands behind your back if you want to follow the old custom. It is part tradition, part friendly show. Nobody will mind if you lift the glass with your hand instead.
Sip slowly. Jenever is usually served cold or at room temperature depending on the style, and it is meant for tasting rather than shooting.
Where to look
The oldest tasting houses are called proeflokalen. Many are in the historic centre and in the area around the Nieuwmarkt and the canals. Some of the best-known ones, such as Wynand Fockink near Dam Square, have been around for centuries. As of 2025/2026, check the venue’s own site for opening hours, tasting menu and any booking requirement before you go, because small places can have limited hours or close for private events.
Other good places to try jenever are traditional brown cafés. These are old pubs named for their nicotine-stained wood interiors. Ask the bartender what they recommend. Most are glad to talk about the difference between young and old styles.
Beginner’s tasting order
- Start with a jonge jenever, ordered plain.
- Move to an oude jenever to feel the difference in malt flavour.
- Try a korenwijn if you like whisky.
- Finish with a fruit or herbal variety if you want something sweeter.
Drink water between rounds and eat something. A snack with salty cheese or bitterballen goes well.
What to eat with it
- Bitterballen: breaded and fried meat ragout balls, served with mustard.
- Old Amsterdam-style or other aged Dutch cheese: cubes with mustard.
- Herring: traditional at street stalls, and a classic partner to jenever.
Etiquette and practical tips
- Bring ID. Staff may ask for it even if you look older.
- Do not expect a huge menu. Many tasting rooms have a short list of house products.
- Some places are small and fill quickly in the early evening. Go earlier on weekdays or book if possible.
- Pace yourself. Jenever is strong, often around 35 percent alcohol or more.
- Do not drive after drinking. Amsterdam’s trams, buses and walking routes make that easy.
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating it like a shot night. Tasting rooms are quiet and a little formal in their way.
- Mixing too many spirit types in one evening.
- Assuming every bar with “jenever” on the sign is a proper tasting house. Look at the menu and see whether they list distillers and styles.
Buying a bottle
If you like it, specialty liquor shops in Amsterdam sell bottles of jenever and korenwijn. Ask which styles suit your taste. Remember that duty-free and airline carry-on liquid rules apply when travelling home, so pack bottles in checked luggage if allowed.
Visitor information about the city, including events and neighbourhood guides, is on I amsterdam. Whether you stop for one glass or make an evening of it, a jenever bar Amsterdam visit is a small, memorable taste of Dutch history in a glass.
Photo: Rijksmuseum, CC0, source.
