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Plan your visit to the House of Bols in Amsterdam

Visiting House of Bols Amsterdam feels less like walking through a museum and more like stepping into the world of cocktails and flavour. The experience is compact, self-guided, and easygoing, letting you explore at your own pace through interactive rooms filled with aromas, tastings, and hands-on displays. While it’s not a huge attraction, knowing what to focus on helps you fully enjoy the sensory elements and avoid rushing.

Navigating your way

Enter via Paulus Potterstraat

👉 Start your visit at the single main entrance opposite the Van Gogh Museum. From here, the self-guided experience begins and unfolds in a clear, logical order.

Follow the one-way route

👉 You’ll be guided through themed rooms dedicated to history, ingredients, flavour, and tasting. Clear signage keeps everything intuitive, so you never have to second-guess where to go.

Linger in the sensory rooms

👉 Take your time in areas like the Hall of Taste, where smelling, tasting, and hands-on interaction are the real highlights.

End at the Mirror Bar

👉 Your visit wraps up at the Mirror Bar with your included cocktail. If you’ve booked a workshop, it takes place separately after the main experience.

Want to get hands-on with your drink?

Dive deeper into the story of Lucas Bols, explore the botanicals behind authentic Dutch genever, and join a hands-on workshop where you create two unique cocktails yourself, guided by expert bartenders. It’s an immersive way to experience House of Bols beyond the exhibits.

Bartender mixing a cocktail at House of Bols in Amsterdam.

How to make the most of your time?

Visit typeDurationRouteWhat you get

Quick visit

1–1.5 hrs

Entrance → History Room → Hall of Taste → Mirror Bar

Experience the essence of House of Bols in a short time—taste the key liqueurs, discover the history, and enjoy a signature cocktail.

Balanced visit

2–3 hrs

Entrance → History Room → Art of Flavour → Hall of Taste → Ingredient Room → Genever Room → Mirror Bar → Workshop

Dive into history and sensory exploration, pausing to smell, taste, and interact. You can also enjoy a hands-on workshop to craft your own cocktails.

Handy tips

  • Reserve ahead: Book your tickets a week or two in advance so you don’t miss your preferred slot, especially on weekends and during summer.
  • Pick calmer windows: Arrive between 1 pm and 2 pm on weekdays for the quietest rooms. Crowds usually build after 3 pm on weekends.
  • Try the workshop: Cocktail workshops sell out fast. Reserve at least two weeks ahead if you want a hands-on mixology session.
  • Follow the flow: Stick to the one-way route from History to Flavour to Tasting to the Mirror Bar to avoid backtracking.
  • Taste strategically: Save your Mirror Bar cocktail for the end so your palate stays sharp for the Hall of Taste.

Explore the House of Bols

History room (Golden Age)

Explore the Golden Age of Amsterdam through the story of Lucas Bols and how a small Dutch distillery grew alongside global commerce. Here, you can discover how genever travelled the world, shaping drinking culture far beyond the Netherlands.

What to look out for:

  • The origins of the Bols brand
  • Early global trade and spirit export routes

Genever Room

This space dives into the history of genever, the juniper-based spirit that came before modern gin. See how genever was made, transported, and enjoyed over centuries, and how it influenced the development of modern spirits.

What to look out for:

  • Traditional genever styles
  • Early distillation techniques

Ingredient Room

Before spirits reach the bottle, they start with raw ingredients. In this room, you’ll get close to the botanicals, fruits, and grains that define Bols genever. Learn how ingredients affect aroma and texture and how distillation transforms them.

What to look out for:

  • Key botanicals and herbs (e.g., juniper, citrus peel)
  • Base ingredients used in distilling

Art of Flavour

The Art of Flavour room explores how tastes are built, balanced, and layered using scent and contrast. Explore why certain combinations work, how aromas influence taste, and what makes a cocktail feel balanced rather than overpowering.

What to look out for:

  • Flavour pairing concepts
  • Interactive multi-sensory elements demonstrating taste, smell, and colour

Hall of Taste

In the Hall of Taste, your senses take centre stage. You’ll smell and taste a wide range of flavours, learn how to recognise individual notes, and understand how they come together in cocktails.

What to look out for:

  • Signature Bols liqueur profiles
  • Sensory tasting challenges

Flair Bartending Booth

Hop into the Flair Bartending Booth and try your hand at tossing and mixing cocktails like a pro. You can even record a fun video to take home, a perfect keepsake and reminder of cocktail culture in a city famous for its drinks.

What to look out for:

  • Interactive flair bartending station
  • Hands-on mixing and shaking under bartender's guidance

Mirror Bar

Wrap up your liqueur experience in the Mirror Bar, a space where everything you’ve learned comes together. Bartenders craft a personalized cocktail based on your flavor preferences, and if you’re up for it, you can even try your hand at the DIY section yourself.

What to look out for:

  • Personalised cocktail experience
  • Stylish bar environment with reflections and displays of Bols products

Before you get there

About

Get a clear overview of what the House of Bols covers and what kind of visit to expect before you step inside.

Timings

Check opening hours, last entry times, seasonal changes, and the best time windows to avoid peak crowds.

Directions

Find the easiest ways to reach the House of Bols by tube, bus, or on foot, plus which entrance makes the most sense for your visit.

Know before booking your House of Bols tickets

  • Decision factors: Choosing the right House of Bols ticket depends on the kind of experience you want and your passion for liqueurs.
  • Audio guide: If you want to learn about the history of Lucas Bols, the art of mixology, and the secrets behind the world’s oldest spirit brand, the audio guide ticket is for you. You can explore the museum’s zones at your own pace and finish your visit with a signature cocktail at the Mirror Bar.
  • Craft Workshop Ticket: If you want a hands-on experience and the chance to experiment with flavours, the Craft Workshop ticket is the better choice. You get to create two cocktails under expert guidance, enjoy a signature serve at the Mirror Bar, and learn mixology techniques more interactively.
  • Age requirements: This experience is only for guests 18 and above. A valid ID is required for entry.
  • Accessibility considerations: The House of Bols includes stairs and interactive stations. While most areas are accessible, visitors with mobility limitations should plan accordingly.

Your House of Bols tickets explained

Ticket typeWhat’s includedBest forPrice range

Audio Guide Ticket

Entry to the Bols cocktail experience, multilingual audio guide, one signature cocktail at Mirror Bar

Self-paced exploration and tasting

€19.50

Craft Workshop Ticket

Entry to the Bols cocktail experience, multilingual audio guide, one signature cocktail at Mirror Bar and a chance to create 2 serves during the workshop with expert guidance

Hands-on mixology and flavour experimentation

€34.50

House of Bols timings

DayTimings

Sunday – Thursday

1 pm to 6:30 pm

Friday – Saturday

1 pm to 9 pm

Note: Bar service continues for about 1 hour after ticket sales.

Best time to visit

Weekday vs Weekend

  • Weekday: Weekdays, especially Monday to Thursday afternoons after 1 pm opening, tend to be less crowded at House of Bols. Early afternoon visits let you enjoy the exhibits and bar with more space before weekend traffic builds. 
  • Weekend: Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest times for this experience, particularly in the late afternoon and evening when guests often combine it with nearby museums or dinner plans. Sundays are slightly calmer than Saturdays but still busier than midweek.

Peak Season vs Low Season

  • Peak season: Amsterdam’s peak tourist season runs from April to September, with spring and summer drawing the most visitors for city attractions and nightlife. 
  • Low season: November through February (excluding holiday weekends) sees fewer tourists in Amsterdam overall. Crowd levels at the House of Bols are lower, giving you more relaxed access to exhibits and the cocktail bar without the busier summer vibe.

Where is House of Bols located?

Address: Paulus Potterstraat 14, 1071 CZ Amsterdam, Netherlands

House of Bols Amsterdam sits in the heart of the city’s Museum Quarter, right across from Museumplein. It’s surrounded by some of Amsterdam’s most celebrated cultural institutions, including the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, both just a short walk away.

Getting to the House of Bols

Getting there

  • Best for: Fast and scenic travel across the city
  • Nearest stop: Van Baerlestraat

Take tram lines 2, 3, 5, or 12 and get off at Van Baerlestraat. From the stop, House of Bols is just a 2-minute walk away. Walk along Paulus Potterstraat, keeping the Van Gogh Museum on your right. The entrance to House of Bols is directly opposite the museum.

  • Best for: Budget-friendly travel and surface-level sightseeing
  • Nearest stop: Museumplein

Several city buses, including 347, 357, and 397, stop at Museumplein. From there, continue along Van Baerlestraat toward Paulus Potterstraat.

  • Best for: Quick and direct underground travel
  • Nearest station: Vijzelgracht

Take Metro Line 52 (North–South Line) to Vijzelgracht. From the station, walk through the Museum Quarter to reach House of Bols.

  • Best for: Visitors arriving from nearby cities or suburbs
  • Nearest station: Amsterdam Zuid

From Amsterdam Centraal, take an NS Intercity or Sprinter to Amsterdam Zuid. From there, transfer to tram 5 or 12 toward Museumplein and walk a short distance to House of Bols.

Facilities 

  • Audio guides: Audio guides are available in multiple languages to explore the exhibition at your own pace.
  • Mirror Bar cocktail: The tour ends with a professionally prepared cocktail served at the Mirror Bar.
  • Cocktail workshops: Hands-on cocktail workshops are available as a bookable add-on.
  • Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are available within the premises.
  • Gift shop: House of Bols has a gift shop selling a variety of liquors and souvenirs.

Accessibility 

  • Wheelchair accessibility: The venue is accessible for visitors using wheelchairs.
  • Service animal access: Service animals are allowed within the venue.
  • Accessible paths: The exhibition features step-free routes and areas suitable for wheelchair use.

Visiting with family

  • Strollers can be brought into the venue, and pathways are fully accessible.
  • Family rest areas are available throughout the exhibition for short breaks.
  • The Mirror Bar offers kid-friendly drink options for younger visitors.
  • The on-site gift shop includes items suitable for children.

Rules and restrictions

  • Entry is allowed only with a valid ticket and entry time. Late arrivals may be admitted within a limited window.
  • Alcoholic drinks are served only to those aged 18 and above with a valid photo ID.
  • Large bags and outside food or drinks are not permitted inside.
  • Photography for personal use is generally allowed unless staff indicate otherwise.
  • Smoking, including e‑cigarettes, is prohibited inside the venue.

Where to eat

Blushing

Blushing is a nearby restaurant offering contemporary European dishes in a bright, casual setting just a short walk from House of Bols.

  • Highlights: European cuisine, casual dining, kid-friendly options, short walk from the museum.

Café Loetje Museumplein

Café Loetje Museumplein is a classic Dutch café-restaurant serving lunch, coffee, and local fare in a relaxed atmosphere near the museums.

  • Highlights: Dutch specialties, relaxed atmosphere, sandwiches and hot meals, family-friendly.

Cafecito

Cafecito is a small coffee shop offering espresso, pastries, and light snacks close to Museumplein, ideal for a quick stop between galleries.

  • Highlights: Coffee, pastries, light bites, and a quick stop between galleries and attractions.

Where to shop

House of Bols Gift Shop

The gift shop at House of Bols sells a range of Bols liqueurs, branded bottles, and cocktail-themed souvenirs for visitors to take home.

  • Highlights: Liqueurs, cocktail accessories, branded souvenirs, keepsakes.

Amsterdam Souvenir Stand

This shop near Museumplein offers a variety of Amsterdam-themed gifts and memorabilia for tourists and collectors.

  • Highlights: Souvenirs, postcards, small gifts, tourist-friendly items.

Souvenirs 33

Souvenirs 33 is a boutique gift shop with unique Amsterdam-themed items and collector pieces for adults and children alike.

  • Highlights: Gifts, homeware, prints, and collectibles.

Where to stay

Conservatorium Hotel (5–10 min walk)

The Conservatorium Hotel is a luxury 5★ property offering upscale rooms and a central location close to Museumplein and surrounding attractions.

The Alfred Hotel (8–10 min walk)

This is a boutique mid-range hotel with stylish interiors that is easy to reach museums and shops.

Hotel JL No76 (10 min walk)

If comfort is a priority, Hotel JL No76 is a good option, offering comfortable mid-range accommodation in a historic townhouse near Museumplein.

Frequently asked questions about visiting House of Bols

The self-guided experience usually takes 60 minutes. Adding a cocktail workshop can extend the visit to 1.5–2 hours.