Rosalia’s Menagerie is a cocktail bar and six-room boutique inn at Kloveniersburgwal 20, 1012 CV Amsterdam, on the eastern edge of the medieval city centre near Nieuwmarkt. Established in 2004 inside a 17th-century canal house, it takes its character from the Dutch Golden Age menageries that filled collectors’ homes with objects, stories and far-flung curiosities; travelers come for carefully built cocktails, locally made spirits and an intimate, object-filled setting.
What to Expect at Rosalia’s Menagerie
The bar’s concept draws directly on Amsterdam’s 17th-century collecting culture and the historic Menagerie Blauw Jan. Rather than treating the theme as costume, Rosalia’s Menagerie uses it to frame drinks around travel, unusual ingredients and storytelling. Expect bespoke cocktails that combine local ingredients and Dutch-made spirits with flavors sourced internationally, presented in a compact canal-house environment where collected artwork, furniture and decorative objects are part of the experience.
Arrive with time to settle in: this is better suited to a considered pre-dinner or post-dinner drink than a quick round. The rooms upstairs are part of the same 17th-century building, each individually styled with collected furnishings and art, reinforcing the inn’s personal, residential feel. There is no published fixed cocktail-price list, tasting-menu detail or food menu on the official site, so check directly for current offerings and dietary needs. The bar opens nightly at 6pm and runs until 1am.
- Golden Age menagerie concept: The bar interprets the era when Amsterdam merchants and collectors brought unfamiliar objects and stories into canal houses.
- Bespoke cocktails: Drinks are made with a focus on craftsmanship, local ingredients, Dutch-made spirits and globally sourced flavors.
- 17th-century canal house: The setting is on Kloveniersburgwal, one of Amsterdam’s old canal streets in the historic centre.
- Collected interiors: Artwork, furniture and travel-gathered objects give the small-scale rooms a layered, curiosity-cabinet character.
- InnUpstairs: The building also contains six individually designed guest rooms, making it a distinctive overnight base near Nieuwmarkt.
Rosalia’s Menagerie at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Kloveniersburgwal 20, 1012 CV Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Neighborhood / Area | Historic city centre, between Nieuwmarkt and the canal district |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Sunday, 6pm–1am |
| Admission / Price Range | No admission; cocktails are in the $$ range. Check the current menu directly. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Nieuwmarkt Metro station; paid parking is available at nearby city-centre garages. |
| Official Website & Phone | rosalias.amsterdam · +31 20 330 6242 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For a quieter start, go close to the 6pm opening, particularly if you want to talk through the cocktail list with the team. Later evening is better for a more animated drinking stop, and calling ahead is wise for Friday and Saturday visits or groups. Dress is smart-casual rather than formal. Rosalia’s Menagerie is a drinks-focused address, so plan dinner separately unless the venue confirms a current food offering.
Nieuwmarkt station, served by Metro lines 51, 53 and 54, is the most useful public-transport arrival point and is about a five-minute walk away; use the GVB journey planner for live routing. The surrounding canal-house streets are easiest on foot, while drivers should use a paid city-centre garage rather than expect curbside parking. This is a historic canal house with compact circulation and level changes; contact the bar before visiting to discuss step-free access and suitable seating. Within 5–15 minutes on foot are Nieuwmarkt square and the Waag, the Oude Kerk in the Red Light District, and Dam Square; Zeedijk’s Indonesian, Chinese and Dutch restaurants are also close for a meal before drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Rosalia’s Menagerie’s opening hours, and when is the best time to go?
The cocktail bar is open every day from 6pm until 1am. Arrive near opening for a more relaxed first drink, or come later for an evening stop after dinner in the Nieuwmarkt or Zeedijk area.
Do I need tickets or a reservation for Rosalia’s Menagerie?
There is no admission ticket: guests pay for drinks ordered. Current cocktail prices and reservation arrangements are not published on the official site, so phone ahead for weekend seating, groups or the latest menu information.
How long should I plan to spend at the bar?
Allow one to two hours for one or two cocktails and time to take in the interiors. Build it into a central Amsterdam evening with a nearby dinner, a walk around Nieuwmarkt, or a canal-side stroll.
Is Rosalia’s Menagerie accessible and suitable for families?
The historic canal-house layout can involve tight circulation and changes in level, so visitors using wheelchairs or strollers should contact the venue before arrival for practical access guidance. Its late-night cocktail-bar format is best suited to adults; the inn upstairs has six individually styled rooms for overnight guests.
When planning your Amsterdam travel guide or browsing verified cocktail bar in Amsterdam, pair this stop with standout local spots including Café-Restaurant Amsterdam, Hiding in Plain Sight, Bar Americain Amsterdam, and Het smalle Huisje (nearby).
