Hiding in Plain Sight — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Hiding In Plain Sight appears to be a wonderful ”speakeasy” to be honest! It does have more of a crowded undersized bar vibe than a “speakeasy” vibe though- one usually expects a hidden door or something but perhaps that’s a little elementary of me. There is a cozy ambience awaiting though, despite the size, and cocktails that I hear are delightful! Unfortunately, we did not get to try them as they have a policy combined with particular staff that leaves them unable to honor reservations. They state they have a policy that requires reservations to have no more than 4 to 6 people per party. Since there were more of us than listed per policy, we made separate reservations without intention to interact between tables/reservations- there is likely an image of sophistication and class this place aims to maintain which I completely understand. We wanted to use our last night in Amsterdam to celebrate a large accomplishment of a close friend of ours and thought it would be an appropriate place to have a few rounds. After an initially warm greeting by employees, we soon arrived to our table to discover a reservation that was coldly left unhonored as the hostess found our separate tables/reservations coming in together. What if our group of 6 had just met the group of 2 as strangers right before we arrived? This policy seems to be enforced quite rigidly with extreme prejudice. This is despite intentions to keep our reservations to separate tables without inter-table interaction while enjoying the ambience of the establishment and providing excellent business to the “speakeasy”. On their credit, they are quite flexible with arrival times since we arrived nearly 10 minutes late so will definitely give them credit for this unexpected flexibility (for such an “exclusive” locale). The benefit of this experience was that we got a wonderful amount of exercise rushing to our reservation and I was able to close my activity rings on my Apple watch (only to be turned down as stated previously) but then we found a delightful establishment nearby that was able to accommodate and provide us with imbibments and excellent service that one would expect from a restaurant in a developed country. We had wonderful time elsewhere while likely saving money so it was still a great night! But give it a shot- maybe they’ll be more welcoming! And if it’s larger than 4 to 6, just make staggered reservations and pretend not to know the folks from the other reservation- that’ll probably fly. Perhaps I’ll get to hide in plain sight in another lifetime-...

I visited this bar with my friend on Tuesday 3rd December. All the drinks on the menu are very “try hard” so it’s difficult to gauge whether you will like them. I asked the waitress for advice, and decided on a cocktail which when it arrived, discovered it tasted like vomit. I’m not a fussy person, but I couldn’t take a second sip. The rim of the glass was coated in salt rocks, so as you can imagine, a very horrible, harsh, unbalanced taste. I was TOLD by the waitress that I WOULD pay for it, as well as the substitute cocktail, which at €15 per cocktail, I was not happy to do. Me and my friend decided to leave, and the bearded barman slammed our bill on the bar. When I told him I wasn’t paying for that drink, he asked me where I was from. I asked him why this was relevant, and he responded by saying he would like to know if where I’m from, not paying for things we don’t like is ‘a thing’. So I told him that where I’m from, we will exchange something on the menu if you don’t like it and haven’t eaten/drank it. He got angry and started calling us “Ryan air crew”, pointing out the fact that we were tourists. And at one point told me to “f*ck off and get out”, and commented on what I was wearing, which clearly proves this xenophobic man is weak and had no valid argument, and he clearly doesn’t understand that without us tourists - he would be out of a job. If they’d have resolved the issue and exchanged my drink for something more fit for human consumption, maybe I’d have stayed for 3 drinks, and they’d be getting €45 each off me and my friend, rather than €0. But this man clearly had prepared his lines and wanted to put on a show for his little buddies at the bar (small man syndrome got the better of him). Zero customer service skills, and very pretentious people. Positives: the...

My journey with "Hiding in Plain Sight" began back in 2018, a recommendation from a hotel concierge that was validated by slithering online research. From the moment I stepped inside, I knew I had stumbled upon something special. The cocktails were more than just drinks; they were a revelation, each one a perfect balance of flavour and artistry. The service was impeccable, with a bartender who was not only friendly but a true master of their craft. I still remember my surprise and delight when I was served a drink with a pasta straw—a simple yet brilliant detail that spoke volumes about their commitment to innovation and sustainability, long before it became a trend. That first visit was so memorable, I found myself returning in 2023 and 2024. While some things have evolved, the core spirit of the place remains unchanged. It’s still my go-to spot for unique, creative cocktails that push the boundaries of mixology. The atmosphere is just as welcoming, a place where you can easily strike up a conversation and, as I did, make new friends. Hiding in Plain Sight isn’t just a bar; it's an experience—a true Amsterdam gem that consistently delivers on its promise of exceptional drinks, fantastic service, and an unforgettable time. Whether you're a first-timer or a returning fan, this is a place that will leave a...