🍸 THE JENEVER LEDGER — COCKTAIL BAR REVIEW
Breaking Down Bars & Drinks and Stirring Up Opinions.
5/8/20243 min read
Five Points — The Hague
Date of visit: 23‑07‑2026
Time: Evening
Crowd level: Medium
Cocktail price range: €14–€15
Number of cocktails reviewed: 2
1.First impression:
A neat but somewhat characterless bar where the atmosphere doesn’t fully match the visual identity. The first thing that stands out is an unexpected smell that doesn’t belong in a cocktail bar. The vibe feels more like a hangout for the staff than a place where guest experience is the priority.
2. THE COCKTAILS — 30 POINTS
COCKTAIL 1 — Bastille (€15)
Style/type: Spirit‑forward
Base spirit: Armagnac
Ingredients: Armagnac, DOM Benedictine, vermouth, walnut bitter
Glassware: Incorrect
Garnish: None
2.A. Balance — 3/5
The cocktail is reasonably balanced but lacks finesse. The bitters and Benedictine overshadow the Armagnac.
2.B. Flavor & complexity — 3/5
Decent depth but little development. The finish is shorter than expected.
2.C. Ingredient quality — 4/5
Good base ingredients, though the combination doesn’t fully shine.
2.D. Temperature — 3/5
Slightly too warm due to slow working behind the bar.
2. E. Dilution — 3/5
A bit over‑diluted from melting ice while waiting.
3. F. Texture & mouthfeel — 3/5
Thinner than ideal for a spirit‑forward drink.
COCKTAIL SCORE (Bastille): 19/30
3.Presentation
Glassware: Incorrect
Garnish: None
Care: 4/10
Final verdict (max. 3 sentences)
A cocktail that sounds strong on paper but doesn’t fully deliver in execution. The foundation is solid, yet the technique dulls the edges.
Order again? Maybe
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## COCKTAIL 2 — Pisco Nova (€14)
Style/type: Citrus sour
Base spirit: Pisco
Ingredients: Pisco, Déjà Vu Oriental, yuzu, aguafaba, lime
Glassware: Questionable
Garnish: None
### A. Balance — 2/5
Clearly out of balance; sour and bitter dominate.
### B. Flavor & complexity — 1/5
Flat, unpleasant, and disjointed. The finish is sharp and harsh.
### C. Ingredient quality — 2/5
Yuzu and lime are fine, but the aguafaba smells and tastes off.
### D. Temperature — 2/5
Not cold enough due to slow preparation and melting ice.
### E. Dilution — 2/5
Over‑diluted and weak.
### F. Texture & mouthfeel — 1/5
Technically failed: unstable foam, unpleasant aroma.
### COCKTAIL SCORE (Pisco Nova): 10/30
### Presentation
Glassware: Questionable
Garnish: None
Care: 3/10
### Final verdict (max. 3 sentences)
A cocktail that unfortunately is not drinkable. Technical errors stack up, and the flavor is outright unpleasant.
Order again? No
# 3. BARTENDING & TECHNIQUE — 20 POINTS
### Technical execution — 2/5
Shaking and timing are subpar; ice melts due to slow pace.
### Speed & organization — 1/5
Uninterested, slow, and unfocused.
### Product knowledge — 2/5
No clear guidance or explanation; little engagement.
### Mise‑en‑place & hygiene — 2/5
Workstation messy; staff eating behind the bar affects the smell.
**Bartending & technique total:** 7/20
# 4. HOSPITALITY — 15 POINTS
### Greeting — 2/3
### Attention — 1/3
### Guidance — 1/3
### Service — 2/3
### Personal approach — 1/3
**Hospitality total:** 7/15
# 5. BAR & ATMOSPHERE — 15 POINTS
### Interior & appearance — 2/3
### Comfort — 2/3
### Lighting — 2/3
### Music — 1/3 - Emo punk pop — fun, but completely mismatched with the bar.
### Cleanliness — 1/3
### Smell & climate — 1/3 - The bar smells like hot dogs due to staff eating behind the bar.
**Bar & atmosphere total:** 9/15
# 6. MENU & IDENTITY — 10 POINTS
### Range — 1/2
### Originality — 1/2
### Clarity — 2/2
### Coherence — 1/2
### Identity — 1/2
### Core question: does it succeed?
Not really. The bar aims to be a modern cocktail spot, but the execution and atmosphere don’t support that ambition.
**Menu & identity total:** 6/10
# 7. PRICE & VALUE — 10 POINTS
### Price vs quality — 1/3
### Ingredients vs price — 2/3
### Overall experience vs price — 1/4
Would we pay the same amount again? No
Why? The quality of the cocktails and the overall experience do not justify the price.
**Price & value total:** 4/10
# 8. JENEVER LEDGER SCORECARD
Cocktails: 29/60
Bartending & technique: 7/20
Hospitality: 7/15
Bar & atmosphere: 9/15
Menu & identity: 6/10
Price & value: 4/10
# TOTAL SCORE: 62/100
# 9. JENEVER LEDGER VERDICT
### 🥃 Best drink
Bastille
The only cocktail that holds up technically.
### 💀 Biggest miss
The Pisco Nova — failed technically, aromatically, and in execution.
### 🎯 What would we return for?
A quick, simple drink if you’re nearby — but not for a serious cocktail experience.
### 💶 Worth the bill?
No
The quality does not match the price.
### 🚪 Would we return?
Maybe
Only if the bar shows clear improvement.
### 📍 Final verdict (max. 50 words)
Five Points has potential but loses it entirely in execution. The cocktails are inconsistent, the technique is weak, and the atmosphere is overshadowed by mismatched music and staff eating behind the bar. A bar that can do better, but didn’t show it on this visit.
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# 10. FIELD NOTES
Arrival: Neat venue, smell noticeable immediately.
Ordering: Little interest from staff.
Behind the bar: Slow, unfocused, staff eating.
Other guests: Mixed crowd, low interaction.
Positive moments: Water was offered.
Negative moments: Off‑smelling aguafaba; hot‑dog aroma.
Quotes: None.
Other observations: Music completely mismatched.