Wynand Fockink Proeflokaal and Spirits

"Wynand Fockink’s proeflokaal is great for those new to genever, or for people who just want to sample something else from their collection of bitters, liqueurs, and brandies. The staff will patiently guide you to the right choice no matter how busy it gets in the minuscule space, and you can join the crowd of locals lounging in the alley outside during summer. Grab a bottle in their shop next door to bring home, and pour one the next time you’re hankering for something to pair with your usual brewski." - paolo espanola

"The British may be the most well-known for gin, but the Netherlands is the birthplace of its progenitor, genever, and there’s no better place to try it than a proeflokaal, or tasting room. Wynand Fockink's is great for those new to genever, or for people who just want to sample something else from their collection of bitters, liqueurs, and brandies. The staff will patiently guide you to the right choice no matter how busy it gets in the minuscule space, and you can join the crowd of locals lounging in the alley outside during summer. Grab a bottle in their shop next door to bring home, and pour one the next time you’re hankering for something to pair with your usual brewski." - Paolo Española

"Wynand Fockink founded his namesake distillery on this narrow alleyway off Dam Square in 1724 (and the building is even older, dating to 1679); some 70 varieties of jenever (Dutch gin), fruit brandy, and liqueur are still produced here today. In the small, beautifully preserved tasting tavern you can learn about—and more importantly, sample—both oude (old) and jonge (young) jenevers, as well as classic Dutch liqueurs like Bruidstranen (bride’s tears), an orange-flavored cordial with flakes of silver and 22-karat gold. Let the bartenders guide you on the traditional method: Bend down and slurp from the tulip-shaped glass—no hands allowed! You can also sign up for a one-hour tasting session and tour of the distillery; the cost is €17.50 (about $20)."

"Wynand Fockink first opened back in 1679 as a combination tasting room, shop, and jenever distillery. The bar still maintains that 17th century look with tall windowpanes. Behind the bar, wooden shelves heave under the weight of jenever bottles lining the wall." - Meredith Bethune