The "Mirror Bar" at House of Bols in Amsterdam

Wilton and I, sitting across from one another, were talking about world politics, love, spirits, the benefits of living in LA and best of all, Amsterdam. I casually mentioned "Bols" and Wilton exclaimed "yes, House of Bols, cool place". We agreed on another topic of discussion.

The Place

The "House of Bols" is an exotic, hands on museum, bar, social club and purveyor of all that is Bols' liquers and spirits.

Lucas Bols created the liquer company dating back to 1575 and manufacturer of 38 different liquers, plus genever (think gin) and numerous other liquors. Bols group includes Galiano, and other brands. The genever, according to my sources, the British took and made into their own English gin. At one time, genever was one of the worlds leading liquors albeit some many, many years ago.

The House of Bols is special for many as it is -
     a. a great way point, midway between the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum
     b. a cool place to stop and enjoy two free drinks
     c. a social gathering place especially for brides to be, family gatherings and groups from one of the many river cruises
     d. a way to better understand (and taste) the variety of Bols' products

Who to See

As you climb the stairs from the street entrance you will be greeted by a lovely, tall blond (aren't all the Dutch girls like that?) you'll come to the check-in where you will pay 14.5 Euros for entrance. Ask for Frank, the manager, and tell him Constantine of Spiritsnob.blogspot.com sent you. He may bestow a professional courtesy discount.

In the Well

In the  "Mirror Room", well its quite a star studded, bright and glowing bar as you will ever find. With the "well"  literally consisting of 100s of bottle of Bols in front of the mirrored back wall of the bar. Up front, the bartenders have a "well" equal to the back bar. Quite a new experience.

The Cocktail.   

This is  a real experience - as Wilton would say "No! Really." After you leave the historical and olfactory hands on experience, you enter into a more contemporary section of the bar experience. At which time you will be invited to address a computer module where you' select your drink and receive coupons for your drink and cordial. Then proceeding to the Mirror  bar one of the cocktail maestros will make your drink for you. Later you return for your cordial of one of the Bols brands you select.

Tunes



The "Mirror Bar" is a lively and loud place. A veritable gathering of souls. You will enjoy standing in the mirrored room, taking in all those at that are gathered. Quite a thing it will be - a throng of lasses celebrating the upcoming marriage of the princess; or the lady Captain of nautical ladies. Likely you'll come across a gathering of souls celebrating a family reunion, or a couple or two preparing for their Viking River cruise embarking from Amsterdam. In any event it will be a fun visit - so take advantage of the it by introducing yourself to the person sitting next to you.

         

Dank U Frank _____________________

Cocktail

Orient Express

Bols barrel aged genever*  1 1/4 oz 

Bols Coconut  1 oz

fresh lime juice 1/2 oz

sugar syrup  1/4 oz 
shake all with ice and fine strain into a pre-chilled glass

Garnish with coriander leaves  - 4 to 5; half piece of Passion fruit and a 1/2 cm of Red Pepper

* while technically not accurate, you could substitute gin or Korean shoju or Japanese shochu

My favorite date and I had a great experience, so many thanks to Frank, our host at House of Bols  --  for more information consult the website -

House of Bols  http://www.houseofbols.com/

"Tot Ziens"