Slijter

Slijter is a Dutch term for a retailer specializing in alcoholic beverages, typically a shop that sells spirits, liqueurs, wines, and beers for take-away consumption. In the Netherlands and the Flemish part of Belgium, the shop is known as a slijterij, and the person who runs it is a slijter. Slijters operate mainly as retail outlets, distinct from bars, cafés, or hotels, although some stores host tastings or demonstrations. The product range commonly includes distilled spirits such as vodka, gin, whiskey, rum; liqueurs; wines; beers; and mixers, along with glassware, gift items, and sometimes tobacco or snacks.

Slijters may be independent family-owned businesses or part of regional or national chains and often source stock from wholesalers. They focus on knowledge and customer service, offering product recommendations, tasting notes, and gift packaging. In many cases they also provide home delivery or online sales where permitted.

The sale of alcohol is regulated by national and local laws in the Netherlands and Belgium. Slijters must comply with licensing requirements, age-verification rules, and advertising and operating-hour restrictions. They typically sell for off-premise consumption, while on-premise consumption is the domain of horeca establishments. In practice, slijters serve both casual buyers and enthusiasts, including customers seeking regional specialties such as Dutch genever or Belgian jenever and distinctive beers.