Door 74, Amsterdam’s hidden gem?

I’ll be the first to admit it, I’m a horrible bartender when it comes to my knowledge of other bars. I’d love to claim it’s bar loyalty—like cheating on your barber—but truthfully, I just haven’t given myself the chance to explore. Amsterdam is an expensive city, and working in a bar gives you the perk of staff discounts, cheap beers, and cheap shots, as well as being surrounded by your friends all the time. That sounds pretty good, right? As a man on a budget, it’s the easy solution.

But, as the new year started, I promised myself that I would delve deeper into the bar scene of Amsterdam and what it has to offer. I can’t effectively write a guide on food and bars in the city if I haven’t gone there myself to give it a test drive. I think I started pretty strong with this one: Door 74, the hidden bar of the city.

Behind the Black Door

‘‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’’, that’s what they always say, right? We often make up our opinions of things based on what we see at first glance. If you’d judge Door 74 by its cover, you wouldn’t get too far, I’m afraid. I had to walk around for a couple of minutes before realizing that the blacked-out windows and overgrown door made out the entrance to the bar. A simple yet sketchy-looking doorbell was the only clue alluding to the idea that there might be something behind those doors that was worth seeing.

I rang the bell, and a few moments later, the mysterious door opened. The bar was the opposite of what the entrance might suggest (AKA the cover). Warm colors on the walls, dimmed lights, interesting artwork, and velvet chairs to get comfy in by the bar. The bar itself was inviting, the bartenders looked friendly, and coming from a cold winter day in the Netherlands, I couldn’t wait to warm up. I’d heard a lot about this bar, and I was pleasantly surprised that it exceeded my expectations.

Sipping Stories

If you’re coming to a cocktail bar, you aren’t looking for a cheap fix. No, you want a cocktail with character, a bit of history, and flavors that’ll make you take a second sip (and a third). You might taste flavors you’d never think would work together, or learn that you’re really into whiskey. You want an experience, plain and simple. Door 74 was an experience for me.

As someone who loves to learn more about bartending and drinks, finding flavors in 74’s menu that I had never seen before made it all the better. My first cocktail? Holy Water, inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica, with Tanqueray gin, butter-washed Campari, red fruit vermouth, and Sage. This cocktail was exactly what I needed. The butter-washed Campari added a silky smoothness that complemented the sage and gin perfectly (Butter-washing, by the way, is a way of fat-washing spirits—adding richness without turning the drink greasy). That hit of the vermouth just lifts the flavors with that red fruit, and it all came together in a coup glass. Even after months of trying it, I can still remember the moment I had the cocktail like it was yesterday. This is just one of many, but if my first cocktail already made such an impact, I can only imagine what the rest of the menu will be like.

The Final sip

Door 74 is the perfect place to end your night, to take an old friend for a long overdue catch-up, or for that first date you’ve been nervous about for the last couple of days. If you’re anything like me—reluctant to spend €18 on a mystery cocktail—you’ll appreciate how Door 74 earns every cent with its craft. Even though the bar might feel fancy at first glance, the casual vibe and smooth jazz in the background will make you feel right at home. If you like to try new things, enjoy a good drink that you can sip on, with or without company, Door 74 is worth putting on your list.