Wynand Fockink

20s / 40s / After Work / Casual / Conversational / Drinking Activity / Friendly / Historic / Historic Bar / Late 30s / Locals / Regulars / Shots / Specialty Cocktails / Tour / Tourists
Wynand Fockink An old-fashioned Dutch liqueur distillery and tasting house in business since 1679, Wynand Fockink is an entertaining place where patrons can still take part in a unique Dutch drinking tradition. Amsterdam Holland 52.372311 4.895329
4.34 7
Wynand Fockink - Drinking Activity | Historic Bar | Tour in Amsterdam.
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3 User Reviews
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Ratings:
Lucas
Adriana
Jonah
Emma

Party Earth Review An old-fashioned Dutch liqueur distillery and tasting house in business since 1679, Wynand Fockink is an entertaining place where patrons can still take part in a unique Dutch drinking tradition. Snazzy shot glasses of... ... read full review

  • Hours:

    Daily 3–9pm

  • Recommended as:

    • Day Spot
    • Night Spot

Party Earth Wynand Fockink Review

The Scene

An old-fashioned Dutch liqueur distillery and tasting house in business since 1679, Wynand Fockink is an entertaining place where patrons can still take part in a unique Dutch drinking tradition.

Dam Square, Amsterdam –

An old-fashioned Dutch liqueur distillery and tasting house in business since 1679, Wynand Fockink is an entertaining place where patrons can still take part in a unique Dutch drinking tradition.

Snazzy shot glasses of sweet, bitter, strong, and/or fruity liqueurs are filled to the rim and lined up on the bar – and the trick is to lean over and drink the shots from where they sit rather than to lift them up.

There’s never any music and no place to sit except for the benches outside, but the bartenders are extremely friendly and love to introduce visitors to this aspect of Dutch culture.

Dusty wooden shelves behind the bar are weighed down by bottles of jeweltoned liqueurs, and descriptive menus explain the aromas customers can expect with each order as well as the history behind the humorous names of the shots.

The crowd of liqueur-loving regulars is usually infiltrated by a good number of young locals and curious travelers, all of whom engage in light-hearted banter in this small and cozy setting.

Wynand Fockink is an experience and a bar unlike any other in Europe – plus, patrons can buy one of those fancy shot glasses to practice the drinking tradition at home.

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Tip from Jonah:

Ask the bartender for advice on which drink to choose, and then bring your mouth to the glass as it sits on the bar. Sip it, do not shoot it. This bar is a great place to experience some culture and do some drinking at the same time, but it’s not worth going if you’re not willing to drink like a Dutchman.

  • Crowd

    Older crowd of liqueur connoisseurs, late 30s and up, though the place also draws some young locals and travelers.

  • Entertainment / Music

    Interacting with other patrons and partaking in the bar’s drinking traditions.

  • Food / Miscellaneous

    Guided tours of the distillery available by reservation during shop hours (M–F 9am–5pm, Sa 1pm–6pm). The distiller is well informed and provides an interactive program about the preparation of Dutch liqueurs.

  • Prices

    Beer and wine €2.20+, shots €2.20–€5.

  • What to Wear / Dress Code

    Casual.

  • Hot Nights / When to Go

    The tasting room is open for only six hours every day. Patrons usually arrive after work around 6pm.

Tags:
20s40sAfter WorkCasualConversationalFriendlyHistoricLate 30sLocalsRegularsShotsSpecialty CocktailsTourists

Wynand Fockink User Reviews

Average rating:
Bendover and slurp, baby!
Amster M.
Amster M. Dec 12, 2012
So the last time I came to update this review, one of the people behind the bar told me that they didn't want me to update the review. They actually wanted me to ask my editor if we could remove the review, because they were having too many tourists come in there. I said that my review had nothing to do with a massive up in tourist traffic because the place is RIGHT NEXT to Dam Square. That's the most touristy spot in the city, as is the Red Light District. And they're RIGHT next to that as well. Other than that the guys that actually RUN the place are just awesome, fun, funny, and carry a Dutch character that I admire a lot. So I come here still, with a group of visitors, and enjoy the experience to the fullest. Be patient when ordering, they only have two hands!
Local genever experience
Stéphanie T.
Stéphanie T. Dec 3, 2012
I really like this place, hidden in between two of the most touristy places in Amsterdam - Dam Square and the Red Light District. Yet not so easy to spot at first, this local gem is a must. Those who enjoy discovering a culture while drinking local beverages will be delighted in this genever distillery. Everything is produced on location, so many flavors can be tasted! The staff is very friendly and is always thrilled to explain tourists how everything is done. Because, yes, to get the first sip of your genever, you need to respect the etiquette! The place itself is stuck in time, the wooden beams and the bar make Wynand Focking a lovely place to get a tasty buzz.
Dutch liqueurs and
Craig B.
Craig B. Nov 15, 2012
This is probably one of my favorite places in all of Amsterdam. Located just behind the National Monument, Wynand Fockink is like a hidden treasure in the chaos of Dam Square. It can definitely get crowded in the tasting room, but don't push and shove. The attendant knows his stuff and he will get to you. And when he does, the experience is personal, exquisite, and fun. Also, make sure you slurp the drink straight off the bar without using your hands to begin, as is the Dutch tradition. The drinks are delicious and often come with a story or history lesson (but not a boring one), and it's easy to make friends because you are all but forced to take your tiny glass outside to mingle in the alleyway with all the other patrons. I would also highly recommend taking the tour. Not only is it informative and interesting, it is often funny. And you get to try upwards of six different liqueurs and genevers! Not to mention, the variety is incredible, so if you're not sure you're up for the most throat-burning genever you've ever encounter, don't be shy about pouring it down the drain and asking about the lilac-flavored one.
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