The ultimate tasting
Academy FAQ
The best way to become a skilled bartender is to gain hands-on experience in a good bar while applying the knowledge and techniques you’ve learned during your training. Practical experience and consistency are key to building confidence and mastering the craft. Our courses at the Bols Cocktail Academy provide a solid foundation, but growth comes with time, effort, and dedication.
While a certificate isn’t always required to become a bartender, it can help you to get started in the industry and to demonstrate your skills to potential employers. Employers tempt to favor applicants that have a bartending certificate. At the Bols Cocktail Academy, we emphasize practical learning because we believe experience is the ultimate teacher. Our courses are designed to give you the knowledge, hands-on training, and confidence to kickstart your career as a bartender and are officially certified by the SVH (https://www.svh.nl/).
Aperol Spritz, Moscow Mule, Gin & Tonic, Tequila Sunrise... Cocktails are undeniably tempting when you’re surrounded by them. However, as an educational program, we prioritize responsible drinking and professionalism when conducting tastings and working with alcoholic products. While some establishments may allow drinking, most professional bartenders focus on creating excellent drinks rather than consuming them.
Bartender salaries vary depending on the country, location, and type of establishment. Factors influencing your job opportunities and income include:
- Bar vacancies and hiring needs.
- Your application, interview performance, and relevant experience.
- Local regulations (e.g., minimum age, work permits, and certifications like Sociaal Hygiëne in the Netherlands).
- Your personality, professionalism, and adaptability.
At the Bols Cocktail Academy, we prepare you with the knowledge and skills required to excel as a bartender. While we can’t guarantee a job or salary, our training gives you a competitive edge in the industry. If you remain committed and continue to improve, you’ll find yourself well on the way to your dream bartending role.
Mixology is the art and science of crafting cocktails. It involves combining ingredients with precision, mastering techniques, and focusing on presentation to create balanced and memorable drinks.
Booking a course at the Bols Cocktail Academy is simple! Visit our website, browse our available courses, and choose the one that fits your schedule and goals. Once you’ve selected a course, follow the prompts to register and complete your payment. If you’re unsure which course to choose, feel free to contact us, we’re happy to help guide you based on your experience and aspirations.
If you find difficulties when booking, please email: training@lucasbols.com
Our courses are designed to accommodate all skill levels. No prior experience or qualifications are needed to join most of our courses. Beginners can start with foundational classes to learn bartending essentials, while experienced professionals can dive into advanced techniques and mixology. Each course provides hands-on training to ensure every participant gains valuable experience. Just bring your enthusiasm, and we’ll do the rest!
Yes, up until one week prior to the start of your course you can reschedule your Bols Academy Course. Please send an email to trainig@lucasbols.com
Sadly, we are unable to give any refunds. Not even in case of circumstances beyond your control, such as public transport problems or personal circumstances. Still, we will do our best to help you. If possible, we will try our best to rebook your course for another date. For questions regarding your course, please send an email to
The ultimate tasting
experience FAQ
You’ll start with our self-guided tour through Bols Cocktail Experience. During this tour, you will learn all there is to know about our heritage, the distilling process, cocktails and much more. The tour ends in the Mirror Bar, where you can enjoy a perfectly served cocktail.
You may be asked to show a valid ID (Identity Document).
Children and minors are not allowed in the Bols Cocktail Experience.
In line with our responsibly commitment, the Bols Cocktail Experience does not allow guests who are under the Legal Purchase and/or Drinking Age (LPDA) inside, or under the age of 18, into the Experience. Minors accompanied by an adult are also not allowed inside the Bols Cocktail Experience.
We urge you to come within the time limit for the timeslot you’ve booked your ticket for (1 hour) . This is important, as it helps us always regulate the amount of people in the building.
You can take all the time you need for your visit. Only your starting time (booked timeslot) is set. On average, the self-guided tour takes about 2 hours.
Yes, as long as our Bols Cocktail Ambassadors are treated with respect, photography is allowed. Photographs, videos and films may only be used for private, non-commercial purposes.
Also, we'd love to see your photos on Facebook and Instagram! Please use our hashtag #bolscocktailexperience, so we can find them easily.
If you would like to film or take photographs for professional and commercial purposes, please contact
This is subject to availability and the size of your group. For the opportunities for guided tours, please send an email to events@lucasbols.com
Unfortunately, you must leave your furry friends at home. Pets are never permitted in the Bols Cocktail Experience, except for service dogs.
We are open year-round. We would love you to visit us during our opening hours:
- Monday: 13:00 to 18:30 (last entry 17:30)
- Tuesday: 13:00 to 18:30 (last entry 17:30)
- Wednesday: 13:00 to 18:30 (last entry 17:30)
- Thursday: 13:00 to 18:30 (last entry 17:30)
- Friday: 13:00 to 21:00 (last entry 20:00)
- Saturday: 10:30 to 21:00 (last entry 20:00)
- Sunday: 13:00 to 18:30 (last entry 17:30)
Yes, we do! All our tours are in English, but we also offer audio-tours. These are available English, Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese.
Yes, up until an hour prior to the start of your visit you can do this via this link
https://tickets.houseofbols.com/en/self-service/date.
You can reschedule your Bols Cocktail Experience tickets purchased on the Bols Experience website by entering your ticket number (starting with 77) and your corresponding email address. After sending your request, you will receive an email with a link to choose a new date/time.
Sadly, we are unable to give any refunds. Not even in case of circumstances beyond your control, such as public transport problems or personal circumstances. Still, we will do our best to help you. If possible, we will try our best to rebook your ticket(s) to another date. For questions regarding your ticket, please send an email to
Yes, you can. The tickets are not personal.
Yes, but... the Experience building is a historical building and unfortunately, this makes it difficult to make it wheelchair accessible. If you let us know you want to visit by wheelchair, we can make the necessary preparations for you to experience the tour with the least amount of trouble. We recommend booking a tour during weekdays before 16:00 CET to avoid the crowds as much as possible.
The store can be visited without a ticket to one of our tours. The opening hours are the same as for the Cocktail Experience.
Yes! We are selling our products online. Our products are available in the Netherlands, UK, Germany, Belgium and Austria. They can be purchased using one of the following links:
Unfortunately, we do not offer student discount.
Book your tickets now via https://tickets.houseofbols.com/en/tickets
We organize all types of events. From meetings to exhibitions, product launches to dinners. And let’s not forget we create cocktails so we know how to organize a party!
The Bols Experience, in the heart of Amsterdam, brings the feeling of the brand alive. Our venue has multiple spaces, varying in sizes, for groups between 5 and 100 people. Our staff is friendly, helpful and knows everything there is to know about Heritage, Cocktails and Amsterdam. And they would love to share it with you and your guests in an interesting way! All our spaces are equipped with various AV facilities to bring your event to a success.
You can send us an e-mail at events@lucasbols.com
