The Bols Cocktail Experience is an interactive museum and tasting venue located in the Museum Quarter of Amsterdam, dedicated to the history of Lucas Bols, the world’s oldest distilled spirit brand. This 2026 visitor guide provides practical information regarding opening hours, ticket prices, transport options, accessibility, and visitor requirements for planning a visit to this adult-only attraction.
To skip the explanation and just book your tickets, head here. The experience is also covered by the Go City Amsterdam Pass, which can save you a lot of money if visiting several Amsterdam attractions.
Current Status: This guide was updated in February 2026 to reflect the current standard adult entry price of €19.50 and the strictly enforced minimum age requirement of 18 years for all participants.
Quick facts for planning your visit
| Category | Details |
| Opening hours | Sun–Thu: 13:00 – 18:30 | Fri–Sat: 13:00 – 21:00 |
| Ticket prices | Standard (18+ only): €19.50 |
| Address | Paulus Potterstraat 14, 1071 CZ Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Nearest transport | Tram 2, 5, or 12 (Van Baerlestraat or Museumplein stops) |
| Typical time needed | 60 minutes |
Bols Cocktail Experience opening hours
The Bols Cocktail Experience operates with different hours depending on the day of the week. From Sunday to Thursday, the venue is open from 13:00 to 18:30, while on Friday and Saturday, it remains open later until 21:00.
Please note that the final ticket sale occurs one hour before the building closes, and the on-site Mirror Bar ceases service 60 minutes after the last ticket is sold. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
Bols Cocktail Experience ticket prices
A standard ticket for the Bols Cocktail Experience costs €19.50. This fee includes a self-guided interactive tour and one “Perfect Serve” cocktail or mocktail in the Mirror Bar at the end of the visit. Due to the service of alcohol, entry is strictly restricted to visitors aged 18 and older, and valid photographic identification is required at the entrance.
This attraction is included in the Go City: Amsterdam Pass, though cardholders still need to reserve a specific time slot in advance. These passes also provide entry to several other nearby attractions, including:
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
Why book the Go City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass?
- 🏢 Access 30+ Top Attractions: Enjoy entry to Amsterdam’s most popular sites, including the Heineken Experience, Rijksmuseum, Moco Museum, and This is Holland.
- 🚤 Iconic Canal Cruise: Includes a quintessential 1-hour cruise through the historic UNESCO-listed canal belt, the best way to see the city’s unique architecture.
- 💰 Substantial Savings: Save up to 50% on admission prices compared to purchasing individual tickets at each attraction.
- 📱 100% Digital & Easy: No need for physical tickets; simply download the pass to your smartphone and scan it for instant entry at every stop.
- ⏱️ Flexible Scheduling: Choose a pass for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days, allowing you to explore the Dutch capital at a pace that perfectly suits your itinerary.
How to get to the Bols Cocktail Experience
The Bols Cocktail Experience is situated directly opposite the Van Gogh Museum in the Museumplein area. From Amsterdam Centraal Station, visitors can take Tram 2 or 12 to the Van Baerlestraat stop or Tram 5 to the Museumplein stop, both of which are within a three-minute walk of the entrance.
For those travelling from other parts of the city, several bus lines also serve the Museumplein hub. The venue is easily identifiable by its location on the Paulus Potterstraat, a major thoroughfare in the Oud-Zuid district.
Parking at Bols Cocktail Experience
The most convenient parking facility is the Q-Park Museumplein, located underneath the Museum Square. The entrance is situated at Van Baerlestraat 33B, and the car park is open 24 hours a day.
Alternative parking can be found at the ParkBee Overtoom, though this requires a 10-minute walk to reach the venue. Because of high hourly rates and limited street parking in the Museum Quarter, public transport is the recommended travel method.
5 great Amsterdam experiences to book
- 🌷 Zaanse Schans day tour: Combine windmills, cheese and clog factories on a day tour to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken.
- 🚤 Amsterdam canal cruise: Take a cruise along the canals with unlimited beer and wine.
- 📖 Anne Frank and Jewish Quarter tour: Follow in Anne Frank’s footsteps on a WWII walking tour of Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter.
- 🔴 Red Light District tour: Let a knowledgeable guide explain Amsterdam’s red light district and ‘coffee’ shops.
- 🧀 Amsterdam food tour: Taste Amsterdam’s local specialities on a food and culture tour.
How long to spend at the Bols Cocktail Experience
A standard visit to the Bols Cocktail Experience typically lasts 60 minutes. This timeframe includes the self-guided audio tour and time to consume the included cocktail in the Mirror Bar.
Visitors interested in the Bols Shop or those attending a specific Cocktail Workshop (which requires a separate ticket) should allow for an additional 30 to 90 minutes.
Accessibility at the Bols Cocktail Experience
The Bols Cocktail Experience is partially accessible to visitors with limited mobility. The building is equipped with a lift that provides access to the various floors of the tour and the tasting bar.
However, the historic nature of the structure means some areas have narrow walkways. Visitors using large motorised wheelchairs are advised to contact the venue in advance to confirm specific requirements. Accessible toilets are located on-site.
Inside the Bols Cocktail Experience
The experience begins with an interactive, self-guided tour that focuses on the sensory aspects of distillation. Visitors pass through the Hall of Genever, which details the history of this traditional Dutch spirit, and the Extraction Room, which explains the process of distilling botanicals and fruits into liqueurs.
A central feature is the Scent and Flavour Test, where guests can engage with various aromatic displays to identify different ingredients used in Bols products. This section is designed to educate the palate before the tasting portion of the visit.
The tour concludes in the Mirror Bar, a modern lounge where bartenders prepare cocktails using the brand’s liqueurs and genevers. Guests use a digital interface to select a drink based on their flavour preferences established during the tour.
The Bols Shop is located at the exit and stocks the full range of Bols liqueurs, genevers, and professional bartending equipment. Entry to the shop is permitted without a museum ticket.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Recommendation |
| Identification | Carry a physical ID card or passport as digital copies are often not accepted for age verification. |
| Booking | Book tickets online in advance to secure a specific entry time, as weekend slots frequently sell out. |
| Arrival | Arrive within 15 minutes of your reserved time; late arrivals beyond 60 minutes may lose their slot. |
| Group Size | Note that groups larger than 10 people must contact the venue via email for a group reservation. |
Frequently asked questions about the Bols Cocktail Experience
| Question | Answer |
| Is Bols Cocktail Experience suitable for children? | No, the attraction is strictly for adults aged 18 and over. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Bols Cocktail Experience? | While walk-ins are allowed, online booking is recommended to guarantee entry during peak times. |
| Is Bols Cocktail Experience open on Sundays? | Yes, it is open every Sunday from 13:00 to 18:30. |
| Are non-alcoholic options available at Bols Cocktail Experience? | Yes, visitors can choose a professional mocktail as their included drink in the Mirror Bar. |
Things to do near Bols Cocktail Experience
The following attractions are located within a five-minute walk of the venue:
- Van Gogh Museum: A museum housing the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh.
- Rijksmuseum: The national museum of the Netherlands, located at the opposite end of Museumplein.
- Moco Museum: An independent museum featuring modern and contemporary art by artists such as Banksy.
More Netherlands travel
Other Netherlands travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Is it worth doing a day trip on the Amsterdam to Antwerp train?
- How to get into the Van Gogh Museum when tickets have sold out.
- Discover the history of smoking and tobacco culture at the Amsterdam Pipe Museum.
- Three Dutch cities worth visiting beyond Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
- What to expect at the Kijk-Kubus Museum House in Rotterdam.
