SMWS PARTNER BAR
Amsterdam’s dramsters
Dive into the world of Café ZILT, Amsterdam’s premier whisky bar, where passion and tradition converge. Discover how owner Michael Bruynse transitioned from a global hospitality journey to crafting a whisky lover’s paradise in the heart of the Netherlands
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ZILT. WORDS: MHAIRI MITCHELL
Tucked away in the vibrant streets of Amsterdam, Café ZILT is much more than your average bar – it’s the product of an adventurous spirit, a love for hospitality, and an ever-growing passion for whisky. What started as an impulsive venture has, over the last 21 years, blossomed into a beloved destination for whisky connoisseurs.
Behind it all is a story of bold decisions and a lifelong journey that mirrors the richness of the whiskies served within its walls.
The story of Café ZILT’s owner begins far from Amsterdam, in Toronto, Canada, where Michael Bruynse was born to Dutch immigrant parents. His childhood blended cultures rooted in both the Netherlands and Canada. The adventurous spirit of his parents took them back and forth between these two countries, setting up businesses along the way – from a resort on a beautiful island in British Columbia to a hotel in Amsterdam.
Having worked with his parents in their various ventures on both sides of the Atlantic, he was exposed to the intricacies of hospitality from a young age. However, it wasn’t until his parents sold their hotel in Amsterdam that he found himself at a crossroads. With no clear plan for his future and a desire to carve out his path, he turned to a familiar space – the hospitality industry, where he had always felt most at home.
ABOVE: Michael Bruynse and his partner Diana behind the bar at Café ZILT, an SMWS partner bar in Amsterdam
PICTURED: Café ZILT started out as a small venture but has now become a beloved establishment with a loyal local following, serving over 325 whiskies.
Sometimes, opportunity comes knocking when least expected. For Michael and his partner, Diana, that moment came when a little-known, somewhat seedy bar they frequented late at night went up for sale. It wasn’t an ideal start – Diana had sworn never to work behind a bar again, but Michael’s persistence paid off. The price was right, and soon they found themselves the proud owners of a bar that over time would become Café ZILT.
Fast-forward 21 years, and Café ZILT has transformed into a renowned whisky bar and beer café in Amsterdam. What started as a small venture has become a beloved establishment with a loyal local following, serving over 325 whiskies.
Café ZILT’s whisky collection is more than just a feature; it’s a passion. For the owner, it all began with a bottle of 12-year-old sherry cask-matured Macallan, released in 1988. That first taste sparked a love affair with whisky that has only deepened over the years. Today, Café ZILT serves an impressive range of Scotch whiskies, including single malts and distillery bottlings, along with a selection of bottlings from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. The bar also has whiskies from across the globe, such as a recent favourite – a Blackadder St Kilian, a German cask strength single malt matured in a chestnut cask, offering unique flavours that are new to even the most seasoned whisky drinkers.
