Tales & Spirits
Spuistraat Noord, Amsterdam
Bar in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Book with PearlThe Read
Narrative-Driven Cocktail Bar
Why go
Tales & Spirits is the Amsterdam pick for a cocktail-led night with some occasion value, especially for first-timers who want a central bar rather than a casual beer stop. Its World's 50 Best Bars #35 recognition from 2017 gives it a credible signal, but the better decision is format-based: choose it for cocktails, not for a loose large-group crawl.
About Tales & Spirits
Tales & Spirits is an Amsterdam venue with a smart-casual dress code and a World's 50 Best Bars recognition: #35 in 2017. For specific details about its menu, service style, seating, pricing, hours, or booking policy, it's best to check directly with the venue.
Use Tales & Spirits as a considered Amsterdam stop when you want a venue with international bar recognition. If your plans depend on exact opening times, current offerings, accessibility, outdoor seating, or group arrangements, confirm those details directly with the venue before you go.
Pick this for a smart-casual Amsterdam bar plan
Tales & Spirits' 2017 World's 50 Best Bars #35 recognition is a strong reason to keep it on your shortlist. Another practical point to know is the smart-casual dress code, which makes it better suited to a polished evening than an entirely casual stop.
Food, drink specifics, service format are not detailed here. For a full dinner plan, use our full Amsterdam restaurants guide first, then consider Tales & Spirits after checking current details. For a broader drinking itinerary, our full Amsterdam bars guide is the better starting point.
First-timers should compare it with the kind of night they want
For first-time visitors, the useful question is whether Tales & Spirits fits the evening you are planning. Its recognition gives it a clear reason to consider, while the smart-casual dress code suggests a more intentional stop than a completely informal plan. If the trip includes more than bars, pair this decision with our full Amsterdam hotels guide, our full Amsterdam experiences guide, our full Amsterdam wineries guide.
Cross-shopping still matters. If you are comparing different Amsterdam bar styles, consider Tales & Spirits alongside Cafe Belgique, Great Room and Bar, JD William's whisky bar, Proeflokaal Arendsnest, Super Lyan. The best choice depends on the kind of evening you want, so check the latest details directly before committing.
The verdict: keep Tales & Spirits on the Amsterdam shortlist when you want a smart-casual venue with a World's 50 Best Bars #35 ranking from 2017. Choose another option if your decision depends on specifics such as exact menu format, seating, outdoor space, prices, or current opening hours.
Planning details
- Location
- Lijnbaanssteeg 5-7, 1012 TE Amsterdam
- Website
- talesandspirits.com
- Phone
- +31 6 55356467
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Tales & Spirits is a deliberately curated cocktail bar that trades on an earned reputation rather than passing foot traffic. It lives in a narrow passage off Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam's old city, the kind of address you reach because someone told you to. The bar leans into the older tradition of storytelling bars, pairing crafted cocktails with ingredient sourcing that nods to local gin and jenever. Its sustained presence on the World's 50 Best Bars list signals a consistent, programme-driven focus: refined, narrative-led service in an intimate, tucked-away setting for guests who seek a thoughtful drinking experience.
Best For
This is a destination for cocktail-minded evenings and people who seek out carefully programmed bars. The text positions Tales & Spirits in Amsterdam’s top tier of cocktail venues, making it well suited to guests who appreciate ingredient provenance, layered menus and bartenders who curate memorable serves. Because the bar occupies a discreet passage and rewards repeat visits, it works well for solo patrons, couples and small groups who are intentionally seeking a serious cocktail experience rather than a high-volume, tourist-facing night out.
Ordering Tips
Approach ordering with curiosity: the bar emphasizes narrative programmes and ingredient sourcing that reference local gin and jenever traditions, so ask the bartenders about the story behind a drink or the provenance of key ingredients. Given the venue’s focus on programme and service formats that reward return visits, consider asking for staff recommendations or a curated sequence rather than defaulting to a familiar cocktail. The description implies an attentive, narrative-led service style—lean on the bartenders’ guidance to get the fullest sense of the bar’s approach.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy and charming with dim lighting, artistic decor, high ceilings, big windows, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Cocktail Bar
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
Signature Pours
- What If…
- No Siesta No Fiesta
- El Tango
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
If cocktails are still the goal, cross-shop Super Lyan. If the group is split or wants something more casual, Proeflokaal Arendsnest or Cafe Belgique will usually make more sense.
For a category switch, choose JD William's whisky bar for whisky or Great Room and Bar for a hotel-bar plan.
Bar context
How Tales & Spirits compares in Amsterdam
Choose Tales & Spirits over Proeflokaal Arendsnest and Cafe Belgique when cocktails are the point of the night. Those two make more sense for beer-focused drinking and a lower-ceremony evening; Tales & Spirits is the stronger call when the plan needs a more composed cocktail-bar feel.
Super Lyan is the closest cross-shop for a cocktail-first visitor. Pick Super Lyan if the group wants a more contemporary hotel-adjacent feel; pick Tales & Spirits if the priority is a central Amsterdam cocktail address with past international bar recognition. For whisky, JD William's whisky bar is the more focused choice.
Great Room and Bar is better for readers who want the ease of a hotel-bar setting. Tales & Spirits is the better fit when the bar itself is the destination. For value, beer-led venues will usually feel easier on a casual night; for quality of cocktail experience and date-night energy, Tales & Spirits is the more compelling booking.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Tales & Spirits guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Tales & Spirits
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Tales & Spirits | Amsterdam | 2018 World's 50 Best Bars · #312017 World's 50 Best Bars · #352016 World's 50 Best Bars · #182015 World's 50 Best Bars · #302014 World's 50 Best Bars · #44 |
| Proeflokaal Arendsnest | Amsterdam | No published awards |
| Cafe Belgique | Amsterdam | No published awards |
| Super Lyan | Amsterdam | No published awards |
| JD William's whisky bar | Amsterdam | No published awards |
| Great Room and Bar | Amsterdam | No published awards |
How Tales & Spirits Amsterdam compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the crowd like at Tales & Spirits?
Information about the crowd profile is not available. Tales & Spirits is in Amsterdam, has a smart-casual dress code, was ranked #35 in the World's 50 Best Bars in 2017.
Do I need a reservation at Tales & Spirits?
Is Tales & Spirits good for a date?
It may suit a smart-casual Amsterdam outing, but the best fit depends on your plans. It is located in Amsterdam, has a smart-casual dress code, was ranked #35 in the World's 50 Best Bars in 2017.
