RECOMMENDED DURATION
2 hours
Timings
13:00–18:30
VISITORS PER YEAR
50000
TICKETS
From $23.22
EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD
30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)
House of Bols is operated by Lucas Bols, the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand, founded in 1575.
The Mirror Bar creates personalized cocktails for each guest, using your own flavor quiz results.
The museum features over 36 different Bols liqueurs and genevers, all available for tasting.
If you’re someone who loves cocktails, flavours, or interactive experiences, the House of Bols in Amsterdam is a must-visit. As the world’s oldest working distillery dedicated to Lucas Bols, it brings centuries of Dutch distilling heritage to life through hands-on exhibits and sensory exploration.
Apart from being the home of the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand, founded in 1575, what makes House of Bols truly exciting is its immersive and interactive liquor experiences. As a multi-sensory attraction, you can sniff, sample, and identify dozens of unique liqueurs and botanicals, learn how the Dutch spirit that inspired modern gin is made, and sip on a personalised cocktail tailored to your taste.
Step back into the Golden Age and discover the story of Lucas Bols, the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand. This space highlights the evolution of Bols since 1575 and explains how genever and liqueurs shaped global cocktail culture.
Explore how flavours are created and balanced with herbs, spices, and botanicals. This multi-sensory zone engages your taste and smell as you learn what goes into perfect cocktail profiles and why certain combinations delight the palate.
Sample and identify dozens of unique Bols liqueurs and ingredients through smell and taste challenges. This playful, interactive area engages all your senses while teaching you about flavour building blocks.
Discover the raw materials behind classic spirits, from botanicals and herbs to fruits and grains. Learn how each ingredient shapes the flavour and aroma of liqueurs, and see how the distillation process transforms these materials into spirits.
Explore the history of Dutch genever, the juniper-flavoured liquor that inspired modern gin. This room showcases the evolution of genever—the “grandfather of gin”—including traditional distillation methods, heritage recipes, and how the spirit was transported and enjoyed.
At the end of your tour, relax in the stylish Mirror Bar where expert bartenders craft a personalised cocktail based on your flavour preferences. It’s the perfect way to savour everything you’ve learned while socialising in a lively setting.
Try your hand at the Flair Bartending Booth, a playful station where you can toss and mix like a pro. It’s a fun, interactive way to engage with cocktail culture and add extra excitement to your House of Bols experience.
For a deeper dive, opt for an optional paid workshop. Step beyond the self-guided tour to learn mixology techniques from professionals, shake and stir classic Bols cocktails, and enjoy a truly immersive experience in the world of liqueurs.
Marvel at 16th- and 17th-century Bols bottles, vintage labels, and historical distilling tools that showcase centuries of Dutch spirit-making traditions.
House of Bols Amsterdam traces the fascinating story of Lucas Bols, the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand, founded in 1575. Lucas Bols began producing genever, the juniper-flavoured Dutch spirit that became the precursor to modern gin, establishing a legacy of innovation in distilling techniques. Over the centuries, the company expanded its repertoire to include a wide range of liqueurs and cocktails, becoming a household name across Europe.
The House of Bols museum was created to showcase this rich heritage and provide a hands-on, immersive experience for visitors. Opened in its current Museumplein location, the attraction combines history with interactive exhibits, aroma challenges, and the Mirror Bar, allowing guests to explore 450 years of Dutch spirits in a fun and educational way. Today, House of Bols is not just a museum but a tribute to centuries of craftsmanship, blending heritage and flavour.
The concept of House of Bols in Amsterdam was based on the distillery created by Lucas Bols, the founder of the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand, established in 1575. Lucas Bols expanded a family distillery into an international spirits company, pioneering genever and liqueur production.
The current House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience, located at Paulus Potterstraat 14, was developed by the modern-day Lucas Bols company. The museum opened in 2007, offering exhibits and cocktail experiences that honour over four centuries of Dutch distilling heritage.
The building itself was designed by architects Ludwig Beier and Jacob van Noppen in 1902, providing a classic Amsterdam façade that has been adapted for modern experiential use.
The building housing House of Bols Amsterdam is a traditional Amsterdam structure located in the Museum Quarter on Paulus Potterstraat, a street famed for its cultural landmarks. The exterior retains classic Amsterdam architectural features, while the interior has been redesigned to accommodate immersive exhibits, tasting rooms, and the Mirror Bar.
Situated opposite Museumplein and near iconic institutions like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, the building blends historical charm with contemporary design. Its layout and interiors support interactive storytelling and modern exhibition technology, allowing visitors to explore the heritage of Dutch spirits and cocktails in a visually engaging, architecturally harmonious environment.
House of Bols is located at Paulus Potterstraat 14 in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter, directly opposite the Van Gogh Museum. It’s within walking distance of Museumplein and other cultural landmarks, making it easy to combine with nearby attractions.
Yes, booking your House of Bols tickets in advance is recommended, especially during peak tourist season, weekends, or holidays.
A standard ticket provides access to the interactive museum, Hall of Taste, Aroma Experience, Genever and Ingredient Rooms, and the Mirror Bar with an audio guide. You also have tickets that include workshops.
Most visitors spend about 60–90 minutes exploring the museum, participating in the Hall of Taste, and enjoying a personalised cocktail at the Mirror Bar. Certain workshops may add 30 minutes or more.
Yes, House of Bols is ideal for friends, corporate events, or celebrations. Group visits can enjoy interactive tasting challenges, the Mirror Bar, and optional cocktail workshops for a lively, engaging experience.
Visitors must be 18 years or older to participate in the spirits tasting and cocktail experiences. Alcohol-free options and mocktails are available for those who prefer not to drink.
Photography is allowed throughout the museum, but visitors should be mindful of others during tasting activities and workshops. Flash photography is discouraged in immersive exhibits to protect displays and aromas.
Yes, the museum is wheelchair accessible, with elevator access to most areas. Some spaces may have limited room, so contacting the museum in advance is recommended for a smooth visit.
Weekdays, particularly Monday to Thursday, are ideal for a relaxed experience with smaller crowds. Weekends and Friday evenings are livelier, offering a social and energetic atmosphere for cocktail enthusiasts.
House of Bols does not have on-site parking, but several nearby paid car parks, including Q-Park Museumplein, provide convenient access. Blue Badge parking is limited and may require advance arrangements.
Bols Cocktail Experience Tickets with Audio Guide
Bols Cocktail Experience Tickets with Craft Workshop
