Amsterdam: Bols Cocktail Workshop & Mirror Bar Tasting

Summary

Mix cocktails in Amsterdam’s Mirror Bar then shake your own with genever

You’ll step right into Amsterdam’s cocktail world—smelling spices, tasting Dutch genever in the Mirror Bar, then shaking up two cocktails yourself during a hands-on workshop. Expect laughter, local stories from your guide, and maybe even a new favorite drink to remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“Don’t worry if you spill a bit — it means you’re having fun,” our workshop host grinned, sliding a shaker my way. I’d barely stepped into the Bols Cocktail Experience and already felt like I was in someone’s living room, not some museum. The air smelled faintly of orange peel and something herbal I couldn’t quite name. There were a few of us — travelers from Spain, a couple from Utrecht, me — all fumbling with bar tools while our guide told stories about how genever used to be the drink of sailors and poets here in Amsterdam.

The first part was more like wandering through an interactive story than a tour. Bottles glowed behind glass, old advertisements flickered on screens, and somewhere above us, music thumped softly (I think it was jazz?). Our guide pointed out the original copper stills — “That one’s older than your grandmother,” she joked — and let us sniff tiny vials of different liqueurs. I tried to guess which was cinnamon but got it wrong. It’s weird how much you can learn just by smelling things side by side.

Then came the Mirror Bar. The bartender made me something with genever that tasted both sharp and round at once — honestly, I still think about that first sip. Light bounced off every surface; it felt almost theatrical but not in a bad way. After that we dove into the cocktail workshop itself: two rounds of shaking, muddling, tasting, laughing when someone’s garnish flopped sideways (mine did). Li laughed when I tried to say ‘proost’ with the right accent — probably butchered it. We swapped tips and stories until time ran out faster than expected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bols Cocktail Experience and Workshop

• Tour Bols Cocktail Experience
• Enjoy cocktail at Mirror bar
• Attend 30-minute cocktail workshop
• Make two different cocktails

Top questions

How long does the Bols Cocktail Experience take?

The full experience including tour and cocktail workshop lasts about 1.5 hours.

Is there an age limit for this cocktail workshop?

The minimum age for entrance is 18 years.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

Your ticket includes one cocktail at the Mirror Bar plus two cocktails you make during the workshop.

Is the Bols Cocktail Experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas are wheelchair accessible including restrooms and entrances.

Where is the Bols Cocktail Experience located in Amsterdam?

It’s located centrally in Amsterdam; public transportation options are nearby.

Do I need to book a timeslot for the experience?

Yes, you’ll select from available timeslots such as 13:00–14:30 or 15:00–16:30 when booking.

Can service animals enter the venue?

Yes, service animals are allowed inside all areas of the experience.

What’s included

Your visit includes entry to the Bols Cocktail Experience in Amsterdam with one expertly made cocktail at the Mirror Bar plus a guided cocktail workshop where you’ll mix two more drinks yourself before heading back out into the city.