Tucked beneath the streets of Amsterdam, Zum Barbarossa is a bar with a story — one of hidden doors, moody ambiance, and immersive experience. Its owners, who also run The Seafood Bar, transformed an old cellar space into an intimate, theatrical cocktail lounge. As you approach Voetboogstraat 1, you’ll find a mosaic giving a hint of history — “Zum Barbarossa” references that mosaic and the old cellar beneath. Entry feels deliberate: ring or seek a hidden door, and descend into a world of deep red lighting, plush seating, mirror-lined walls, art-nouveau flourishes, and flickers of shadow. The drink menu blends classics with daring touches. Reviewers mention a Penicillin served in rosemary-smoked glass, an Old Fashioned married to an oyster & brine, and visually striking cocktails like a Porn Star Martini topped with brûléed passion fruit. For seafood lovers, the bar pairs cocktails with oysters and small plates; its connection to The Seafood Bar ensures quality bites alongside the drinks. The music leans late and lively. On Fridays and Saturdays there’s a DJ into the night (to ~2 am or later). The setting is tight — though the space can welcome ~120 people (standing) including a special bar table and a hidden “Pearl” room for small groups. Patrons often praise the service, cocktail technique, ambiance, and the sense that Zum Barbarossa feels like discovering something underground and exclusive. plekkies With its layered narrative and musical energy, it’s a bar that claims the night.
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