Live music in Amsterdam
Famous international bands and artists enjoy playing in Amsterdam whenever they visit the Netherlands, and they often choose to play in music venues such as Paradiso and the Melkweg.
Music fans will be happy with the ample choice of events. Be it huge concerts at the Amsterdam ArenA or Heineken Music Hall, regional bands in many cafés, folk music in Irish pubs or classical music at the Muziekgebouw aan het IJ.
You can enjoy all kinds of different live music at the following venues:
Badcuyp
This music centre has two concert halls and a pub. The music is often a surprising combination of different instruments and musicians. Enjoy the salsa nights, African dance and folk music.
Eerste Sweelinckstraat 10
1073 CM Amsterdam
www.badcuyp.nl (Dutch)
Bitterzoet
Bitterzoet (meaning bittersweet) offers new and upcoming bands, DJ's and theatre groups a chance to perform. The music style varies from hiphop to funk and electro.
Spuistraat 2
1012 TS Amsterdam
www.bitterzoet.com (Dutch)
Bluescafé Maloe Melo
Maloe Melo offers live blues music every night. Jam sessions also take place here.
Lijnbaansgracht 163
1016 VX Amsterdam
www.maloemelo.nl
Brix Food 'n' Drinx
Brix serves small portions of food, referring to them as 'starters'. Whilst enjoying a bite to eat you can listen to jazz music. Live music performances are held three times a week and a DJ often plays sets comprising mainly of funky, jazzy beats. Young singers just starting out can also display their skills during the Vocal Jazz Sessions.
Wolvenstraat 16
1016 EP Amsterdam
www.cafebrix.nl
Cafe Bollejan
The career of the famous Dutch singer Rene Froger began here. The café is owned by his father, who is nicknamed bolle Jan (chubby John). Typical Dutch folk music is played here and live music is performed almost every night.
Reguliersdwarsstraat 3
1017 BH Amsterdam
www.cafebollejan.nl (Dutch)
Café de Kluis
If you want to dance all night then pay a visit to café Kluis, where mostly Latin and Brazilian music is performed. Every Friday is Salsa Night and Saturday is Brazilian Night.
Prins Hendrikkade 194
1011 TD Amsterdam
De Heeren van Aemstel
Enjoy the music whilst having a drink. There is something for everyone, with music styles ranging from soul to pop, from disco to rock.
Thorbeckeplein 5
1017 CS Amsterdam
www.deheerenvanaemstel.nl (Dutch)
Melkweg
The Melkweg (Milky Way) is a well known stage in the Netherlands and abroad. Many bands who visit the Netherlands perform at the Melkweg. There are also five types of art here: music, media-art, theatre/dance, film and photography.
Lijnbaansgracht 234/A
1017 PH Amsterdam
www.melkweg.nl
Mulligans Irish Music Bar
There are five reasons to visit this Irish music bar. The nice location, the Guinness, the people, the music and the food.
Singer/songwriters often perform here. The live music is mostly Irish.
Amstel 100
1017 AC Amsterdam
www.mulligans.nl
Muziekgebouw aan het IJ
This modern music venue is an asset for Amsterdam. The building contains a large concert hall with excellent acoustics. This venue primarily focuses on new developments in classical and modern music. The building is surrounded by a terrace with a beautiful view across the river IJ.
Piet Heinkade 1
1019 BR Amsterdam
www.muziekgebouw.nl
Paradiso
Paradiso, originally founded as a youth centre, has developed into a 'temple for pop music'. Dutch and international artists play here regularly. Every week an alternative dance night is organised under the name Emergency Landing. Paradiso is only a short walk from the Leidseplein party area.
Weteringschans 6-8
1017 SG Amsterdam
www.paradiso.nl
Pianobar Maxim
Whilst drinking cocktails, you can also enjoy Dutch as well as foreign artists playing the piano in bar Maxim.
Leidsekruisstraat 35
1017 RG Amsterdam
www.kroegenweb.nl
