Wynand Fockink Proeflokaal and Spirits

Liquor store · Oudezijde

Wynand Fockink Proeflokaal and Spirits

Liquor store · Oudezijde

Pijlsteeg 31, 1012 HH Amsterdam, Netherlands

Highlights

Historic tasting room with 70+ flavors of jenever & liqueurs

Pijlsteeg 31, 1012 HH Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions

wynand-fockink.nl

@wynand_fockink

@infatuation

The 14 Best Bars In Amsterdam

"Wynand Fockink’s proeflokaal is great for those new to genever, or for people who just want to sample something else from their collection of bitters, liqueurs, and brandies. The staff will patiently guide you to the right choice no matter how busy it gets in the minuscule space, and you can join the crowd of locals lounging in the alley outside during summer. Grab a bottle in their shop next door to bring home, and pour one the next time you’re hankering for something to pair with your usual brewski." - paolo espanola

https://www.theinfatuation.com/amsterdam/guides/best-bars-amsterdam

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@infatuation

Wynand Fockink - Review - Centrum - Amsterdam - The Infatuation

"The British may be the most well-known for gin, but the Netherlands is the birthplace of its progenitor, genever, and there’s no better place to try it than a proeflokaal, or tasting room. Wynand Fockink's is great for those new to genever, or for people who just want to sample something else from their collection of bitters, liqueurs, and brandies. The staff will patiently guide you to the right choice no matter how busy it gets in the minuscule space, and you can join the crowd of locals lounging in the alley outside during summer. Grab a bottle in their shop next door to bring home, and pour one the next time you’re hankering for something to pair with your usual brewski." - Paolo Española

https://www.theinfatuation.com/amsterdam/reviews/wynand-fockink

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@afar

"Wynand Fockink founded his namesake distillery on this narrow alleyway off Dam Square in 1724 (and the building is even older, dating to 1679); some 70 varieties of jenever (Dutch gin), fruit brandy, and liqueur are still produced here today. In the small, beautifully preserved tasting tavern you can learn about—and more importantly, sample—both oude (old) and jonge (young) jenevers, as well as classic Dutch liqueurs like Bruidstranen (bride’s tears), an orange-flavored cordial with flakes of silver and 22-karat gold. Let the bartenders guide you on the traditional method: Bend down and slurp from the tulip-shaped glass—no hands allowed! You can also sign up for a one-hour tasting session and tour of the distillery; the cost is €17.50 (about $20)."

The Best Bars in Amsterdam

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@cntraveler

18 Best Bars in Amsterdam | Condé Nast Traveler

"Wynand Fockink first opened back in 1679 as a combination tasting room, shop, and jenever distillery. The bar still maintains that 17th century look with tall windowpanes. Behind the bar, wooden shelves heave under the weight of jenever bottles lining the wall." - Meredith Bethune

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-bars-in-amsterdam

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SS Y

Google

This is already my fourth time coming to this tavern, and I truly love the atmosphere here. The staff and customers chat and joke with each other as if they were friends, and the friendly vibe creates a wonderful camaraderie among the patrons. If you ever come here to taste their unique drinks, please follow the house rules, and you'll have a very joyful and unforgettable experience.

Anita Karimu

Google

This is a must visit if you are traveling to Amsterdam! Nothing in the menu would be a bad choice! Even if you do not consider yourself a fan of liquor, I believe everyone can find something to sip and enjoy here. The staff was all very fun and helpful!

Andrei

Google

Choose fast, order and please move if you are inside. The place is great but super small. Sometimes you can't even move. I totally recommend to give it a try.

Jennifer Guilbert

Google

Wonderful place, spirits, and vibe! We visited daily and loved every unique libation. A must see when in Amsterdam!

Katie Ward

Google

What a gem of a place. The staff are super friendly and helpful. The range of spirits to taste are amazing. We loved the fruity and herbal liqueurs. All set in a wonderful traditional tasting room

Saurabh Kulkarni

Google

This local tasting shop is a must-visit for exploring craft spirits, and small-batch liquors. The friendly staff and vintage ambiance make it perfect for discovering new flavors, whether you’re a connoisseur or a curious beginner. A memorable experience awaits!

Benitha Mintz

Google

This place was great. Trying all the spirits was definitely fun.

Jay Dee

Google

Wow! If you're ever in Amsterdam and looking for an unforgettable drinks experience, you've got to check out this place. Seriously, it's hands down the best shots experience I've ever had. The variety of liquors and flavors is out of this world. The atmosphere is super chill, just perfect for enjoying some drinks with friends. What really made it special though was the staff. They took the time to walk us through all their drinks, explaining each one and even letting us taste a few before we made our choices. It was such a fun and memorable experience thanks to them!

Katherine G.

Yelp

I would recommend this place to stop by for fun - they mix flavored liquors and jenevers for a fun beverage. I would not go here for more than just a tasting, but for one drink it makes for a fun and unusual experience.

Brad M.

Yelp

This old tavern has been in operation for about 400 years. They specialize in making jenever which is a Dutch style of gin. You can get the "new" or "old" style and they also have a ton of infused you can try. They serve it in little flutes along with ice cold beer. It's an old, historic place. The inside is tiny and they don't allow pictures. I'm sure because they are trying to limit crowds posting to social media. The offerings are vast. Our bartender was Ruby. Super friendly. I asked her what she would recommend for me and my wife. We got one old and one new style and a beer each. Sat outside in the cafe chairs and sipped and visited with friends. It was awesome.

Jekaterina ..

Yelp

Know the staff well, thank you for helpful service have been coming here for two years as a customer. Today I also tried the drink Prinsesje. Loved it. Taste is personal, rule #1.

Lily H.

Yelp

Came to try one of the oldest joints in Amsterdam. There is a bit of a wait as there are only 2 guys serving everyone coming in and everyone needs to try several before they find their one. You sample flavors until you find the one you like to purchase a glass of. There is seating outside to enjoy your beverage.

Rebecca H.

Yelp

This place is AWESOME. It's hidden down a bit of an alley which actually is consistent with the general vibe. It's a really small place and at the time of our visit, the small space was packed with people. We discovered that the reason for this is because they will literally allow you to try any of their gazillion flavors of jenever until you get something you like. It's a pain in the ass to wait but worth it once you get your time in front of the bartender. I was feeling stressed out by the mob of people behind me and didn't want to take too much time but wanted something I knew I couldn't get anywhere else so settled on a chocolate something flavor which was very sweet and went down way too easily. GF went in a similar but slightly different direction and ordered the cherry version. This was TART and sweet but less so than mine. Very good. There is really cute seating outside that is probably usually full. Absolutely worth a visit if you have the time.

Dominic B.

Yelp

Ended up stopping here on a whim after seeing a group of people outside and was glad we did! With fifteen minutes to closing, they were able to accommodate my friend and I without reservations. They have a huge selection of unique liquors and they give a great run down of the history as well. Oldest distillery in Amsterdam! First time trying the genever and even picked up a bottle of Kerry Borrel, a chocolate mandarin liqueur that they had prepared for St Nick's feast day. Will definitely stop by next time I'm in the area to try more!

Laura M.

Yelp

If you're looking for one of the oldest distilleries around (1679) - this is a must-visit. Our server at the burger bar highly recommended it, and we loved every minute of it. Walking down the alley, and stepping inside, is like stepping back in time. As others have noted, it's fairly small inside, and there is often a like. Pack your patience - it's well worth it. Once it's your turn, they will ask what you like to drink normally/flavors, and what you feel like (sweet, very sweet, salty etc). Ruby was wonderful and patient - they want to make sure you get something you are happy with to sip on. They also fill the glasses to the absolute brim - bow down, sip off the top, then pick it up. Also recommend the smaller beers (small pours) or the cider they had was local, dry, and delicious. We sampled the superior genevere (this was my fav, I bought a small bottle of it to take home), the licorice (not sweet, tastes great at first but very salty finish), korenwejn (good but not at good as the 5 year), raspberry apple and vanilla (Bob selected the vanilla to drink). Highly recommend stopping in here!!

Louisa M.

Yelp

Came here on a cold, rainy evening to try some craft-made liqueurs and genevers, because when in Amsterdam... This distillery was started in 1679 and reservations are needed if you want a full-on tour. We just wanted to do a tasting and were cheerfully accommodated at the bar / tavern (opens at 2 pm). The space is super tiny, so try to go at an "off" time if you don't want to be packed elbow to elbow with hordes of other tourists. Genever is a malted grain spirit that's made in Holland. It's sort of like a gin / whiskey and is quite strong. There were tons of different flavors available at the bar (for a fee per glass), so we chose three: Bergamot Brandy, Boswandeling Liqueur, and De Vijf Genever. The Genever was our favorite, and was an excellent way to warm us up on a chilly evening. Their entire portfolio is for sale too, so you can take home giant bottles or tiny ones as a great souvenir of your visit to Amsterdam. You probably should swing by and have a taste if you've never been to Holland before.

Jennifer H.

Yelp

The staff is very helpful here and will recommend and let you try different types based on your taste preferences. I highly recommend it as a unique and fun experience when in Amsterdam.

Neluta G.

Yelp

Great bar for local made liqueurs and strong spirits. If you tell the bar tender what you like, they will make you a shot. It is pretty strong stuff so one or two shots are good enough. You can also get a tour of the stiller and learn how spirits are made and how they add the flavors. Another great place to visit in Amsterdam.

Kristian A.

Yelp

Very reasonably priced. The bartenders were very knowledgeable and took their time with each customer. So might be a line for you to actually be seen or get a drink. They have like a to go/drive thru window which is supposed to be quicker to get ur drinks but they are usually helping customers inside anyways. They let you try different things and explain the history which I won't go into since you can see it on other reviews on here. You have to take the first sip with no hands (bowing). We also got a beer each. They had an ipa on tap which was very good and recommended getting that. You can take your shot and beer outside to drink since it gets kinda crowded inside. Do not throw these shots back! They are ment to be sipped on. Enjoy it. My shot he got from a jar that had like lemon peels in it as shown in the picture. It was like a lemon ginger taste.

Risa L.

Yelp

They are very knowledgeable and helpful to find your favorite flavor. You'll be so tipsy after you had 1 glass lol. I like coming here to buy something nice souvenir.

Ann G.

Yelp

You must have a drink (or 3 or 6) while in Amsterdam. Cozy, great lighting, and even better history. The genever here is the best of the best. If you want to get crazy, ask for a mix of the cranberry, lemon, and ginger. This melted my mind!

Jacky K C.

Yelp

Tip: have a chat with john malkovich. He's very passionate about Dutch jenever and very critical of gin, obviously. The 5 year old jenever is great and cheap at about 4 euros a shot. Taste like light cognac at 30%. Old jenever is basically cross between vodka and gin. Hell, gin is basically vodka with juniper berries. That said, the old style Dutch recipe tasted like vodka and less on the berries. Alcohol percentage also very low at around 30%. The wine we sampled is basically grape juice with hint of alcohol. Great place to sample local spirits but wished I had sampled something stronger.

Michelle M.

Yelp

Review #500! Wynand Fockink is not your typical bar. The original owner, Wynand Fockink, first opened this liqueur distillery in Amsterdam in 1679. The distillery includes a tasting room and a liquor shop to purchase liqueurs and spirits. Three centuries later, Wynand Fockink holds an impressive collection of antique bottles in the premises that is still furnished in the original 17th century style. Wynand Fockink continues to produce liqueurs and jenevers today. The tasting room is open daily from 3pm to 9pm and attracts quite a large crowd in their cozy establishment. We managed to squeeze our way toward the bar and my husband ordered the cherry flavored and the plum flavored jenevers. The liqueur was poured all of the way to the top of the brandy snifter. The bartender then instructed us to not pick up the glass and to instead lean over the bar and slurp the top of our drink so that we could pick up our glass. I felt silly doing this, but everyone else was doing this at the bar so "when in Rome!". I wasn't a big fan of the cherry or plum jenever and thought the sweet taste resembled the flavor of cough syrup. After explaining our drink preferences to the friendly and helpful bartender we selected a wonderful lemon jenever that tasted exactly like a Lemon Drop Martini. We wanted to purchase a bottle to bring back to the states, but sadly they were sold out. Guided tours of the distillery are available so visitors have the opportunity to see how the liqueurs and jenevers are made at Wynand Fockink. An English tour is available every Saturday at 12:30pm. At the end of the 45 minute tour tastings are available. Unfortunately, we were flying back home Saturday so we missed out on this opportunity, but we were so glad we had the chance to stop in and drink with the locals and discover this wonderful distillery!

Marin J.

Yelp

My friend loved it. I can't say I saw the merits of drinking it straight. But it was interesting to see.

Rod S.

Yelp

The best jenever you'll ever drink (and buy) and lots of other great choices. Personally, the Rye base jenever (Rogge) is the highlight for me. However, there are lots of other excellent choices. It's a little hard to find, but once you do and realize how close it is to Dam square, you'll be able to get back easily. We found the people behind the counter really friendly and willing to take plenty of time for us to taste through anything we were interested in. My wife is not a jenever fan and was expecting to find nothing. They honed in on what she liked and we did not go away empty handed.

Carlinhos G.

Yelp

I go to Amsterdam twice a year and cannot leave without seeing my friends at Wynand. It's an unique experience for someone that never been there and the Jenever and the Liquors are the best in the world in my opinion. You can also book a tour with tasting included if you like....totally worth it also.

Mel T.

Yelp

I first found out about jenever (pronounce ya-nay-ver) from Anthony Bourdain. He had a layover in Amsterdam and a proeflokaal (tasting room) was one of his stops. It seemed very unique to Amsterdam (especially how you drink it - you take a sip while it's still on the bar, before you even lift the glass) so I definitely wanted to try it on my trip. While I wasn't a huge fan of the liquor, the bartenders were very friendly, helpful, and they really know all of their products. They probably talk to tourists all day about jenever until they're blue in the face, but they never let that show once. They ask you what kind of drinks you like and pick one based on that. They even let you try before you buy. You're supposed to pair the jenever they have with this beer (I can't remember the name). But the best part is that the drinks here are really cheap. I think we got four jenevers and one beer and the total was less than 20 euros. There's also a liquor store next door. My boyfriend bought a bottle because he thought he liked it. When we tried it at home, we realized it was only good because of the beer they served. Without the beer, the jenever tasted a little funky. Tip - the bar only has standing room but I saw lots of people hanging around outside with their drinks.

Leah K.

Yelp

This tasting room is key to to feeling like you're a part of Amsterdam's history, before you get blitzed elsewhere on gin and tonics (or is that just me?). Filled with jenever, a million kinds of brandy, and beers, there's something for everyone. But - try something new! Open since 1679 (holy moly), this place has historical good vibes. As I chatted with the person next to me, he suggested a couple brandy concoctions for me to try. One of them - now I don't remember the name - had orange, pineapple, Campari (or similar) and was delicious and tropical. I also went for the local favorite, drop (salted licorice). If you like licorice, yum, if no...I don't suggest it. The staff is unique and friendly and are used to the place brimming with patrons.

Thomas W.

Yelp

This has got to be the coolest little bar that's tucked off in a corner. Hans is my absolute favorite bartender. He's so in tune with how to relate to people and I go to Amsterdam pretty frequently so I always start my site-seeing off in the Red Light District at this place. I just found it interesting all of the flavors of liqueurs and the fact that they don't allow use of cellphones. They have truly preserved the old feel of going to a bar and talking to the people around you. They also pour the sips to the point of having to bow to the bartender for the 1st sip in order not to spill it. (You never want to be wasteful with alcohol!) Feel free to ask for tastes to find what you like. They have all sorts of flavors!

Katy W.

Yelp

The staff was so helpful and entertaining! Helped us find something we would all love to sip on! Great drinks and beer.

Stephanie Z.

Yelp

They don't pressure you to purchase they just want you to be happy with your selection. Make sure you stop through early in the day because they do get crowded for a taste. "You will find the Wynand Fockink Proeflokaal (Dutch for tasting tavern) and liquor store in the Pijlsteeg, an alley behind the National Monument on the Dam square in Amsterdam. In around 1679 Wynand Fockink started a liqueur distillery. Soon a tasting tavern was added, where customers could taste and buy the products."

Anne S.

Yelp

Must-do in Amsterdam! Here you get to taste a huge variety of different jenevers, liquors and spirits all produced by Wynand Fokink for several hundred years. The atmosphere is unbeatable: very old shop, wooden bar... Fantastic! When you have picked a spirit, glasses are filled to the maximum so you have to bow for the first sip. Then you can take your drink outside to enjoy or have the next straight away. The shop to buy a bottle of spirits is right next to the bar.

Nik L.

Yelp

Do NOT come here planning to get wasted. (Yeah I know, that eliminates about 90% of the US and Brit tourists.) This place is for tasting some amazing things you've never had before and won't get anywhere else. An adult bar, in other words. Seriously, I personally witnessed the proprietor kick an entire group out, saying "Time for you to leave. This is not a place to get wasted!" Don't pretend to know your genever here unless you really, really do. I suggest making your way to the bar and simply asking the bartender (owner? manager?) what he recommends. He'll ask you some questions and off you'll go on a flavor adventure. You won't be disappointed. And you won't find a more unique bar experience in all of Amsterdam.

Lauren B.

Yelp

Best bar experience we had in Amsterdam....absolutely unique in every way. Standing by the bar (as there are no seats here) we sampled various fruit-infused homemade liquors as well as some mixed concoctions made with jenever (Dutch gin); all served in small tasting glasses. My advice to you...stand back awhile and watch the friendly bar-man mix up some concoctions for other folks; if you're curious about any of them, ask what it was and try it! As another reviewer mentioned, here's the etiquette: once the bartender is finished making your drink, do not raise the overflowing glass to your lips. Rather, you MUST bow down and slurp the first sip before you can lift it. So fun!

Christina W.

Yelp

A must do while you're in Amsterdam! It's a cute little bar with tons of choices for Jenever, which they make themselves. Our bartender was wonderful in explaining the different types. She let us sample several before making a selection for purchase. Love how they pour to the very top of the glass so you have to bend over a slurp it out for our first sip. There isn't any seating but there are a few tables outside to stand and finish your pour. Excellent!

Gus K.

Yelp

The oldest bar in Amsterdam serves up an infinite selection of flavoured gins. Once you shuffle your way up to counter, the server will take their time to accommodate your choices. Follow the tradition by leaning over and taking a sip from the perfect pour without using your hands. Located in the heart of the city, I highly recommend stopping into Wynand Fockink for the experience.

Pete P.

Yelp

The smallest bar in the world. Must visit in Amsterdam. They serve the traditional dutch drink Genevre. Have patience and you will be rewarded. They only pour different flavors of of drink and fill tulip shaped glass to the rim. You have to bendo down to take the first sip. A cultural experience with friendly and awesome staff. Dont miss it.

Kristin L.

Yelp

I'd truly like to believe that if I live a mostly honest and moral life I will end up in this illustrious place called Heaven. If I do end up there, I imagine it will be something like Wynand Fockink. It's not only the genever that won me over, but the employees and general atmosphere. When I first stepped in, I was surprised by how small it was. But by my second visit I realized that not much more space is really needed. This is a place to prop yourself up at the bar and take casual sips off of your genever or beer (or both). It's a place to hang out with friends that you brought along or make new ones. It's not a place to get rowdy or sit and get wasted all night and I love that. The bartenders are more than happy to pour samples of anything behind the bar that interests you. You're in for the biggest treat if you request any of the bottles with the Dutch names. Not only are they creative and delicious blends of different liqueurs, but they also have stories associated with them. There's a bottle for every occasion- birth, death, celebration, loss of a job...everything you can think of and even those you would never think of. Once you've fallen in love with at least 5 different selections, you can then go into the adjacent bottle shop and buy a few to take home with you. Overall, visiting was a truly unique and wonderful experience!

Maiko K.

Yelp

Always have great experience here. So many different liquor. If you don't know what you want, tell the bartender what you like and they will make liquor cocktail. I had Passion fruit this time and I bought a bottle to take home! I'm excited to try it with sparkling water. All the liquor is 3.25 Euro each.

Ainsley A.

Yelp

I love this place for three reasons: 1. You can have ANY flavor of Liqueur imaginable for only $3 euros 2. You can buy a whole bottle of said Liqueur for an insanely cheap price 3. The bartender is the most beautiful human I have ever seen... thats all. bye.

Jennifer T.

Yelp

This little gem is amazing. While visiting Amsterdam, we wanted to try Jenever and this place came recommended to us. I'm so glad we went. The bartenders were awesome. They told us all about Jenever and they types and helped us pick out what flavors we would like. I really enjoyed it. If you're in Amsterdam, visit. You won't be disappointed.

Busra E.

Yelp

Earlier this evening, this place was racist to me, my family and my colleagues. We went there shortly after 8 PM, and the tasting room already had a few customers. We were asked where we were from and answered, saying we are from Turkey. We were six people, so started trying the liquor in twos. After two people drank their drink as a shot (we weren't given any explanation as to how the drink should be "tasted" as you would expect in a tasting experience), one of the two people behind the counter, a bald guy with glasses started going off about how they were not "barbarians" there, their liquor was craft and the establishment rejected serving to customers who did shots. We smiled thinking he was joking, and he said he "was not laughing" and asked us to leave immediately, which we did after paying, in shock. An old woman behind the counter kept giving us bad looks as we explained what was going on to the rest of our party. Again, they never said anything as to how they expect the customers to drink while they were serving us. Actually, they barely talked to us from the get go. So I guess this place is nice to people if they are white and culturally Christian, a good thing to keep in mind if you are not. I'd sue them if I lived in the Netherlands.

Sandy M.

Yelp

This is a must do while in Amsterdam! MUST DO!!! This place was really cool! I can't remember the exact age of the building but I want to say it 600+ years old. The shelves bow with the liquor on them! There is just so much history here! Oh and don't forget the jenevier! It's like gin...only smoother! It's quite delicious! If you are a gin fan, you will love this! Go in and tell them you have never been there and they will give you a history lesson and allow you to try the liquids and help you find the perfect drink for yourself! Did I say say you MUST GO! Oh and go early when they open! This place gets packed!

Halina M.

Yelp

Do not miss this place! Yes, there are lots of nice cocktail bars in Amsterdam, but this place should be your first stop because they serve genever, which is the local liquor. I read reviews about how pleasant the bartenders are, and they're all true! They don't just give you the flavor you ask for - they are very interested in making sure that they serve you exactly what you wanted. For example, I asked for apricot-flavored stuff that was on the board. At any other bar they would've just served me that. Here I was offered two liquers to pick from. Thankfully, after my taste test, I went with the other one. This happened again and again. :) My favorite was when I asked for something stronger, and what I tried was too strong. So, the bartender made me a mixed shot, and it was amazing.

Avani K.

Yelp

Absolutely loved this place. There is a personal touch to the drinks they make for you, based on your liking. When in Amsterdam, I definitely recommend this page. It is a little crowded, but yeah worth the wait.

Madeline M.

Yelp

This place was so cool! I actually didn't want to go here at first, but my family brought me along, and I'm SO glad that they did! This place is one of the oldest bars in Amsterdam, and our bartender gave us a great background & history of the bar. The liquors are so good, and they have so many flavors. I tried a little of each of my groups drinks, and they were all amazing. This place is small, so just be prepared that there's not a ton of space, I don't think that there were seats/tables.

Deisy L.

Yelp

This place is a complete experience! If you're in Amsterdam, do yourself a favor and meet Hans for a little history on the proper way to experience Jenever! His customer service alone is a reason to visit, but the getting a little tipsy helps too!

Lynn H.

Yelp

Best part of our Amsterdam trip. The "bar tenders" (hate to call them that because they're really Jenever connoisseurs) were delightful, experienced, and made this place an overall blast. They spend a significant amount of time with each person (which could be frustrating when you're waiting, but you appreciate it when it's your turn at the bar). My friend and I went back twice but we wish we could have visited everyday. They have a variety of Jenevers/likeurs/brandewijns to taste from aged, to sweet, to sour, to traditional. It was our first Jenever experience and we loved it to much we took a bottle home. They really made us feel at home in the heart of Amsterdam.

Lissette H.

Yelp

The liquors were amaizing, I have the apple and the chocolate one and they were really sweet and so good! I really like the atmosphere of the place

Aleta D.

Yelp

This is one of my favorite places in Amsterdam. It's a tasting room for a distillery that's been around since the 1600's that hasn't changed much in that time. The shelves behind the bar look like they could be the original shelves, sagging from the weight of all the liquor bottles that have rested there over the years. There are many interesting sweet liqueurs to try, and you can also combine flavors to get a new interesting drink. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable, feel free to ask them for advice of a combination to try based on your preferences. The liqueurs are served in small tasting glasses, which are just the right size to enjoy a few sips of your drink and then get a different one to try. When served, the bartender pours it until it's almost overflowing, and you *must* follow the tradition to lean over and take your first sip without picking up the glass. It's a smart tradition, as you're otherwise likely to spill it as you pick it up and end up with sticky fingers. As it gets quite crowded inside, often people will go outside to the small alley-like street to enjoy their drinks in fresh air. If you need a break from sweet drinks, you can order a beer at a little window that faces the street! Pro tip: Get there early (right before they open at 15:00) to avoid crowds, as the space is small and it's very popular amongst tourists and locals alike.

Tanya V.

Yelp

Truly one of the best Amsterdam experiences you can have. This cramped, old proeflokaal (bar) has all the character and genuinely delicious liquers a person could possibly want. They have a full menu of jenevers and tasty mixed shots to try - my personal favorite is the one with vanilla and citrus. I've had it twice but I can never remember what it's called - go figure! Just steps away from Dam Square, the small interior space does get QUITE packed with tourists and non-tourists alike - especially during "weekend" hours. While my parents are visiting in a few weeks, I plan to get them here in the early afternoon on Monday or Tuesday for some vacation treats and fun - I hope that better timing will mean better service and comfort. Regardless, it's guaranteed to be a very memorable experience. LOVE IT!

Dennis M.

Yelp

I'm not sure what more to say about this place then that Wynand Fockink can fock me ANYtime from any angle in any orifice!! I live around the corner and there are some weeks where I'm here three times after work sipping on some booze and beer with friends. Why Dennis, you alcoholic you! Yes, that may be true; however, I choose this place for their awesome drinks, crazy people that come in, and an even crazier wait staff who will tell you more than everything you want to know! If you are going for the first time, for tell them it's your first time and you want to try some jenever (Yah-nay-fer). I love to watch people for the first time; especially when they try to pick up the jenever glass just after it has been poured. Don't know what I'm talking about? Come check it out yourself! Since I do like to consider myself a seasoned veteran in the arts of alcohol consumption, I would like to bestow upon Yelpers out there, my choice of drink here that focks my kink every time. AND it's something they don't offer during the tasting. I call it the BBCombi! Bierblomen - the best jenever you will EVER have and so different than the others De Ryck bier - this beer is made from the same grain as bierblomen Take a sip of some BB, then chase it down with some Ryck. Then and only then, you will see how focking awesome this flavor combi-dash is! Just remember, these guys close at 21.00 SHARP! Try to come in after and you will get some focking attitude! I love you WF and can't wait for our next BB session!!

Dave T.

Yelp

This place was heavily suggested to me by my friend who is a local and friends that are tourists. If you are in search for Jenever 'dutch whiskey' this is the only place I think where you can get it. The people here are so pleasant and friendly they let us try multiple samples of their liquors and liqueurs that I felt pretty tipsy after haha. They also have craft or local brews available. Very cool place. will visit again soon when I come back in a month!

Lee P.

Yelp

My local customer surprised me with this gem of a place. They were going to meet me later at the Hotel Krasnapolski, where I was staying and take me to dinner, but they suggested we first go for a little 'wyand fockink'. Well just imagine how that sounded in English!! Since the hotel is just a couple blocks from the infamous red light district, I really thought they were saying something quite different. I was panicking about how to gracefully bow out without offending my customers. When they arrived to pick me up, I really didn't know what to do. We exited the hotel through the side alley doorway, walking in the direction of sin central and right there, in the alley of the hotel, there it was. Definitely NOT a brothel. Whew! The joke was on me and my hosts say they do it to everyone. I called my wife and decided to try the same joke on her by telling her the name of where I went that night - Epic bad idea. Let's just say it took quite a bit to convince her it was only a historic gin joint. What a totally cool place, built in the 1600's. No electric lighting. All the wood flooring worn from centuries of footsteps. This little hole in the wall (literally) distills its own genever (Dutch gin), infused with varieties of herbs. What a trip back in time. The bartender was so cool and welcoming. He gave me the whole rundown on what was available, the local protocol for imbibing, etc. It's a very reasonable drink to boot! I've been back quite a few times since my virginal experience and it's a great place on a hot, humid summer day to sit outside in the alley on the cool granite and order through the little pass through window (not available in winter) to get a short beer and a shot. I've met many travelers and locals alike at Wyand Fockink and recommend it to anyone visiting Amsterdam.

Melissa F.

Yelp

what a treat. A true local brought me here on my short trip in Amsterdam and it was probably one of the best experiences I had in Amsterdam. Down an alley that you wouldn't necessarily look twice at if you weren't trying to go here- there is a wonderful bar at the end of the row. The most CHARMING bartender that will serve you a specialty liqueur. It looked like you were in an alchemy shop- all the different bottles and flavours written in Dutch makes for a fascinating process of figuring out which drink you want to order. Take your time to make sure what you want and when be decisive when you order. The bartenders are fickle and may give you sarcastic service if you aren't firm or waste their time. For the BEST decision and service while visiting this place- just tell them you want them to choose something for you. They will ask you a couple questions on flavour type and degree of sweetness and serve you up something delicious. You want to go here. I'm not a liqueur fan. I didn't even love the drink I had- but the EXPERIENCE is more than well worth the money and time.

Peter L.

Yelp

Definitely a unique place for tasting genever and liqueurs and highly recommended. The selection is truly amazing, and I tried an outstanding strawberry liqueur and a solid oude generver. But in at all costs, do not spill any from the glass (slurp first - yeah it looks funny but everyone does it.) and do not get wasted. I spilled a bit, and the proprietor must have taken pity on me as an obvious tourist. But as a fast learner, I was slurping like a pro for my next one. The cost of each glass averages 2-3 euros, and it's an inexpensive and fun way to experience Dutch specialities and drinking culture from a distllery that's been around for hundreds of years.

Nola G.

Yelp

Jenever is a traditional juniper-flavored liquor from the Netherlands and Belgium also known as "Dutch Gin" which evolved to gin. Wynand Fickink Proeflokaal (Dutch for tasting tavern) is an old intimate liquor shop and distillery located behind the National Monument on Dam Square which was first founded in 1679. There are over seventy different flavored liquors and genevers. It is Dutch tradition to bend over the tulip-shaped glass and slurp the first sip without lifting the glass. You can ask for a sample if you can't decide on a flavor. The shop to purchase a bottle to take home is a short hallway away. The tavern is tiny and the line can move slowly. The associate was very helpful. Opens at 15:00. www.wynand-fockink.nl

@infatuation

SS Y

Google

Anita Karimu

Google

Andrei

Google

Choose fast, order and please move if you are inside. The place is great but super small. Sometimes you can't even move. I totally recommend to give it a try.

Jennifer Guilbert

Google

Wonderful place, spirits, and vibe! We visited daily and loved every unique libation. A must see when in Amsterdam!

Katie Ward

Google

What a gem of a place. The staff are super friendly and helpful. The range of spirits to taste are amazing. We loved the fruity and herbal liqueurs. All set in a wonderful traditional tasting room

Saurabh Kulkarni

Google

Benitha Mintz

Google

This place was great. Trying all the spirits was definitely fun.

Jay Dee

Google

Katherine G.

Yelp

Brad M.

Yelp

Jekaterina ..

Yelp

Know the staff well, thank you for helpful service have been coming here for two years as a customer. Today I also tried the drink Prinsesje. Loved it. Taste is personal, rule #1.

Lily H.

Yelp

Rebecca H.

Yelp

Dominic B.

Yelp

Laura M.

Yelp

Louisa M.

Yelp

Jennifer H.

Yelp

The staff is very helpful here and will recommend and let you try different types based on your taste preferences. I highly recommend it as a unique and fun experience when in Amsterdam.

Neluta G.

Yelp

Kristian A.

Yelp

Risa L.

Yelp

They are very knowledgeable and helpful to find your favorite flavor. You'll be so tipsy after you had 1 glass lol. I like coming here to buy something nice souvenir.

Ann G.

Yelp

Jacky K C.

Yelp

Michelle M.

Yelp

Marin J.

Yelp

My friend loved it. I can't say I saw the merits of drinking it straight. But it was interesting to see.

Rod S.

Yelp

Carlinhos G.

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Mel T.

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Leah K.

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Thomas W.

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Katy W.

Yelp

The staff was so helpful and entertaining! Helped us find something we would all love to sip on! Great drinks and beer.

Stephanie Z.

Yelp

Anne S.

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Nik L.

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Lauren B.

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Christina W.

Yelp

Gus K.

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Pete P.

Yelp

Kristin L.

Yelp

Maiko K.

Yelp

Ainsley A.

Yelp

Jennifer T.

Yelp

Busra E.

Yelp

Sandy M.

Yelp

Halina M.

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Avani K.

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Madeline M.

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Deisy L.

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Lynn H.

Yelp

Lissette H.

Yelp

The liquors were amaizing, I have the apple and the chocolate one and they were really sweet and so good! I really like the atmosphere of the place

Aleta D.

Yelp

Tanya V.

Yelp

Dennis M.

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Dave T.

Yelp

Lee P.

Yelp

Melissa F.

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Peter L.

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Nola G.

Yelp

Wynand Fockink Proeflokaal and Spirits

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The 14 Best Bars In Amsterdam

Wynand Fockink - Review - Centrum - Amsterdam - The Infatuation

18 Best Bars in Amsterdam | Condé Nast Traveler

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The 14 Best Bars In Amsterdam

Wynand Fockink - Review - Centrum - Amsterdam - The Infatuation

18 Best Bars in Amsterdam | Condé Nast Traveler