Twenty Third Bar is the champagne and cocktail bar on the 23rd floor of Hotel Okura Amsterdam, at Ferdinand Bolstraat 333 on the southern edge of De Pijp. You don’t need to be a hotel guest to go up. It has a smart-casual dress code and opens at 17:00 Sunday to Wednesday and 18:00 Thursday to Saturday. Go for the view and a well-made drink. The bar serves small bites from the kitchen of Ciel Bleu, the hotel’s two-Michelin-star restaurant, but it isn’t a place for dinner.
Twenty Third Bar at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | 23rd floor, Hotel Okura Amsterdam, Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, 1072 LH Amsterdam (De Pijp) |
| Opening hours | Sunday–Wednesday 17:00–00:00; Thursday–Saturday 18:00–01:00 |
| Dress code | Smart casual: no shorts, sportswear, flip-flops, ripped jeans, caps, hats or hoodies |
| Who can visit | Hotel guests and outside visitors |
| Drinks | Classic cocktails, signature cocktails and a large champagne list |
| Food | Small gourmet bites from the Ciel Bleu kitchen, not full meals |
| Size | Small: Okura lists about 40 seats |
| Parking | Paid on-site parking, €7 per hour |
| Phone | +31 20 678 7111 (general), +31 20 678 8300 (reservations team) |
Hours, dress code and parking checked against Hotel Okura’s official pages in September 2026. Some third-party listings still show older closing times of 01:00 and 02:00.
What the bar is like
I stopped in during a trip around the city, and the view is what I still remember. Step out of the lift on the 23rd floor and floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the city. Most of Amsterdam is low-rise, so seeing it from this height is a very different experience from the canal-level views most visitors get.
The room is sleek and modern, with plush velvet seating, soft lighting and a long marble counter. It feels polished without being stiff. You don’t need to whisper, but it’s a place for conversation, not a loud night out.
It’s also a small bar. With only about 40 seats listed, the window tables fill up fast, and that affects when you should go (see below).
Cocktails, champagne and bar bites
Bar manager Markus Vennemann runs a menu of classic cocktails, signature drinks and fine champagnes. Check the current menu on Hotel Okura’s website before you go, because signature drinks change.
When I visited, some drinks came with a bit of theatre, such as edible flowers or a smoke-filled dome. One came with a small pipette of extra flavouring that you add yourself. It was a clever touch, and it worked. The presentation changes with the menu, so don’t expect those exact drinks.
If you’d rather order a classic, the bartenders make those well too. A balanced Negroni or a crisp Martini is an easy order here, and the staff were happy to recommend something or adjust a drink to my taste.
The bites come from the kitchen of Ciel Bleu, the two-Michelin-star restaurant on the same floor. They’re light and made to go with a drink. If you want a full dinner, book Ciel Bleu or another restaurant separately and come up to the bar afterwards.
Who it suits and who should skip it
- Good for: date nights, special occasions, showing visiting friends the city from above, and a pre- or post-dinner drink in De Pijp or the Zuid area.
- Good for: champagne drinkers and anyone who likes carefully made cocktails over cheap rounds.
- Skip it if: you want a full meal, a party atmosphere or an outdoor rooftop terrace. The views are through the windows.
- Skip it if: you’re on a tight budget. Expect five-star hotel bar prices.
- Skip it if: you’re in shorts, sportswear or a hoodie. The dress code applies.
Best time to visit
My top pick is sunset. Watching the sun go down behind the skyline with a good cocktail in hand is hard to beat. But because the bar doesn’t open until late afternoon, you can only catch sunset for part of the year. From November to January, the sun sets before the doors open.
Can you catch sunset from the bar?
| Month | Approx. sunset (mid-month) | Sunset at the bar? |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16:55 | No, it sets before opening |
| February | 17:50 | Just, Sunday–Wednesday only |
| March | 18:45 | Yes; later still after the clocks change |
| April | 20:35 | Yes |
| May | 21:25 | Yes |
| June | 22:05 | Yes, with the longest evenings |
| July | 21:55 | Yes |
| August | 21:05 | Yes |
| September | 19:55 | Yes |
| October | 18:45 | Yes, until the clocks change late in the month |
| November | 16:50 | No, it sets before opening |
| December | 16:25 | No, it sets before opening |
Sunset times are approximate, calculated for Amsterdam in local time. Opening is 17:00 Sunday–Wednesday and 18:00 Thursday–Saturday.
In winter, you get the city lights instead. Come from opening time for the lights, with a cosy room and a warm drink while it’s cold and dark outside.
Weeknights vs weekends
- Weeknights: quieter, easier to get a window seat, and more time to talk with the bartenders.
- Friday and Saturday: the busiest and liveliest nights. Contact the hotel ahead if your timing is fixed.
- Late evening: the room feels more intimate. Last call comes sooner than many online listings suggest: the bar closes at midnight Sunday–Wednesday and 01:00 Thursday–Saturday.
- Rainy evenings: storm clouds moving over the city can make the view more dramatic, and the warm interior makes a welcome contrast.
You can ask for a window table, but Hotel Okura says it can’t guarantee one. If a window seat matters to you, arrive at opening time.
Dress code and reservations
The dress code is smart casual. Hotel Okura specifically rules out shorts, sportswear, flip-flops, ripped jeans, caps or hats, and hoodies. If you’re coming straight from a day of cycling or sightseeing, bring a change of clothes.
For bookings and questions, contact the hotel’s reservations team on +31 20 678 8300. Groups larger than seven should book through the restaurant reservation department on +31 20 678 7450 or [email protected].
How to get to Twenty Third Bar
Head for Hotel Okura Amsterdam at Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, 1072 LH Amsterdam. The 23-storey tower stands at the southern end of Ferdinand Bolstraat by the Noorder Amstelkanaal, so it’s easy to spot as you get close.
- Metro: take the North–South line (metro 52) to De Pijp station. It takes about 10 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal, followed by roughly a 10-minute walk south along Ferdinand Bolstraat.
- Tram: tram 12 stops at Scheldestraat and Van Hilligaertstraat, each a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. Check 9292 for live times.
- From Schiphol: take the train to Amsterdam Zuid, then metro 52 to De Pijp. By car, the hotel estimates around 15 minutes.
- Taxi: there’s a taxi rank right outside the hotel, which is handy late at night or if you’re dressed up.
- Bike: Hotel Okura rents bikes through its concierge for €18.50 per 24 hours. Leave the bike parked if you’ve had a few cocktails.
- On foot: from the Albert Cuyp Market, walk straight down Ferdinand Bolstraat to the hotel. It’s an easy way to fit in some of De Pijp’s cafés and shops before a drink.
Inside the hotel, take the lift to the 23rd floor. If you’re unsure which lift to use, ask at the front desk. For step-free access or other accessibility needs, call the hotel before you go.
Driving? On-site parking costs €7 per hour. If you plan to drink, leave the car at home.
Pair it with nearby spots
- Before: start with craft beer at De Prael Proeflokaal de Pijp near the Albert Cuyp Market.
- After: if you’re still hungry after the bar closes, Calle Ocho on Albert Cuypstraat serves street food late into the night.
- Want an open-air view instead? On the Roof in Amsterdam-Noord is a summer-only rooftop venue over the water.
- Staying nearby? See our guide to where to stay in Amsterdam, including De Pijp.
Frequently asked questions
Is Twenty Third Bar the same as Ciel Bleu?
No. Both are on the 23rd floor of Hotel Okura Amsterdam, but Ciel Bleu is the hotel’s two-Michelin-star restaurant and needs its own reservation. Twenty Third Bar is the cocktail and champagne bar, and its small bites come from the Ciel Bleu kitchen.
Can I bring a large group to Twenty Third Bar?
Hotel Okura asks groups larger than seven to book through its restaurant reservation department on +31 20 678 7450 or [email protected]. The bar is small, so contact them before turning up with a big group.
Which payment methods does Twenty Third Bar accept?
Hotel Okura accepts American Express, China UnionPay, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Maestro, Mastercard and Visa in the hotel and its restaurants. Apple Pay is also accepted in the hotel.
Is there a minimum age at Twenty Third Bar?
You must be 18 to buy or drink alcohol in the Netherlands, and Hotel Okura applies that rule. Carry ID in case staff ask for it.
