Rosalia's Menagerie — Restaurant in Amsterdam

I see only positive review,s and this could've been another one. Up until now i had only very positive experiences with Rosalia's Menagerie, but after this last week, they fully deserve a one star review.

I had made a reservation for two, but after new covid regulations i wasn't sure if it was able to go through, so i decided to inquire. I called a few days in advance of the date I reserved, but was told they couldn't say anything yet, but would of course keep me up to date. I called again a day later, after the press conference that would announced the new rules, and was then simply told in very broken english to: ''email the boss. He will answer immediately.'' Which i thought was strange, but I complied. No response for days. I never was kept up to date like promised, nothing had been cancelled from their side, and it was now less than 8 hours before my reservation, for a very special birthday. I had to, in the end, call five times and send two emails, over three days, to get any information at all, just to finally be told that ''Obviously it's not happening. And you should cancel online.'' When i told him I would have liked to be kept up to date, like promised, he said ''he had tried that''. But i had no missed calls or emails and when i mentioned that he got annoyed.. I then tried to cancel online only to find out i would not get a refund. I called again and said i had to try seven times now and now and that i couldn't even get a refund, he started to literally shout at me and said ''Did I tell you you can't get a refund??? Did I tell you you can't get your money back??? If you keep it up I indeed won't give you a refund at all. I'm so done wity you!' I said that the fact that he was shouting at me was very unprofessional in and of itself. He then finally shouted, in Dutch, he'd send the money back and reiterated he was 'done' with me and hung up.

Like i said I have visited this place several times before, and have always had great expriences, the atmosphere, service and the cocktails themselves are really good, and this is why i was willing to now spend 75 euros per person to book the '''Lockdown cocktails for two''. But to be treated like this, has cast a shadow over all previous encounters, and i don't think I will ever return, if only for the fact I might run into this explosive and rude person, whether it was an employee or the boss I don't know, and have my evening ruined by the mere memory of this encounter. I understand Covid is stressful, and they probably had a difficult time, but to take it out on the customer like this is absolutely unacceptable, and lifted the thin veil of politeness covering their...

If you're looking for a cocktail bar in Amsterdam that goes beyond the ordinary, stop searching. Rosalia's Menagerie isn't just a place for drinks; it's an entire, intimate experience that completely captures your heart.

Tucked away in a cozy, spotlessly clean space, this "menagerie" perfectly balances vintage charm with modern mixology.

The Drinks: Creative Excellence Forget the basic menu. Their cocktail selection is a work of art—truly creative and unique, offering interesting twists that make every sip an adventure. You'll be spoiled for choice with their great selection, which clearly highlights a passion for innovative drinks.

The atmosphere is set by an absolutely fantastic playlist. It's the kind of music that makes you want to settle in for the night. And yes, you can actually take the good times home, follow their playlist on Spotify!

The team here is the lifeblood of the bar. The staff are genuinely friendly and enthusiastic, making you feel welcome from the moment you step inside. They contribute so much to the warm, engaging energy of the place. Sure, the space is small, but that only adds to its charm and intimacy. It's the perfect size for a night out with friends, turning a casual evening into a special memory.

Bottom line: Rosalia's Menagerie is a must-visit. It's a clean, creative, and endlessly cool spot that deserves a top-shelf...

Lovely hidden cocktail bar. You just need to know where it is, ring the bell and wait till they open. Inside is cozy but really nice, not too dark as other places and also, the time I've been there, people were quiet which was nice. Most of the cocktails are revisited classics, so classic ideas but very different execution. I noticed a lot of attention to the glass and the ice, which I particularly appreciated. My favourite of the evening was the Sicilian Sour #2. Luca, the bartender, was both friendly and focussed on the job. I also tried his special drink for an ongoing competition (Walking in the forest) and it was a really nice drink. Way more complex taste than other classics.

Personal negative points I noticed and would like to remark are only two. First and most important, there were no snacks / peanuts served next to the cocktails. I think that for such places, having a couple of small things to eat while drinking for a few hours would be a must. Another thing to consider is that the place itself is also the hall of a small guesthouse/hotel. They only have a few rooms upstairs, but being Amsterdam next to the red district I believe sometimes some customers might be louder than others, which for such a nice cocktail bar would be a shame. We did not have any problem with this, but you never know.

Next time I will be in Amsterdam I need to visit...