Amsterdam
has numerous sparkling contemporary venues. From traditional
clubs and trendy, contemporary, dance clubs to our world-class
concert halls and cathedral venues. There is certainly
something happening for every taste.
The Amsterdam Music Scene
Amsterdam has a well earned reputation of being a party city with lots of night time entertainment and a great nightlife. Like any big tourist city, Amsterdam has a great music scene where all tastes are well catered for. Amsterdam is one of the leading cultural centres with a world renowned orchestra and many excellent bars an clubs which are home to some of the finest music you could ever hope to find. Amsterdam is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for quirky bars with an abundance of live music and dancing. It certainly is a vibrant party city well worth exploring anytime of the year.
Amsterdam`s music scene is probably the most lively in Europe and has been so for some time. Whatever you are looking for from classical to heavy metal, you will find it with ease in Amsterdam. Lovers of classical music will delight in visiting the Concertegbouw which is a huge concert hall in the center of the city and has an excellent international reputation for the quality of its acoustics and classical music performances. If, opera is your thing, you should definitely visit either the Muziektheater (known as the Stopera to locals) at Waterlooplein or the Theatre Carre' to hear some of the finest operatic performers do their thing.
If you are on a budget, the Museumplein is a great place to visit as you can listen to concert rehearsals for free. Many of the bars in Amsterdam have a tradition of holding free late night jamming sessions which are great fun and allow you to discover great new music on a budget.
Any serious music lover should visit the area between Rembrantsplein and Leidsplein where most of the best music clubs and pubs in Amsterdam can be found. There are many famous clubs in Amsterdam including Paradiso and Melkweg (club details below) which play very eclective music from rock and pop to rap and mainstream bands. Most clubs stay open until 4 or 5 am on weekends and with Thursday, Friday and Saturday being the best days to visit. Traditionally, most of the coolest music bars have a dress code which forbids jeansd and trainers, so be careful of this if you travel to Amsterdam. The cheaper bars don`t usually have a dress code, but, there are lots of great bands who play there regularly and the atmosphere is much more relaxed.
Amsterdam`s music scene has a history of being very relaxed and all encompassing, with many different genres being promoted in the city, drawing people in from all over the world. Many famous bands regularly play Amsterdam and often play some of their best gigs in the notoriously relaxed atmosphere.
If Jazz is your thing, you will have a wonderful time in Amsterdam. The city has been adopted as a home by many great jazz musicians who regularly play in many of the towns historic jazz clubs. The most famous jazz bars in Amsterdam are Cafe' Van Leeuwen, Bourbon Street Jazz and Blues Club and The Binhuis in Oude Schans area which is home to the Dutch Jazz Orchestra who play there every Wednesday and with the cheap travel deals available it is definitely worth a visit for all jazz fans.
Our
cultural and entertainment calendar is full, but not
overcrowded. As previously described there's a strong jazz scene, a variety of
good music and dance clubs. English-language shows are
popular at the little cabarets and theaters. Special
concerts along the canals as well as on the canals themselves
are scheduled throughout the spring, summer, and autumn.
In winter, if it's cold enough, can bring out the ice skaters in droves to transform our canals into a network of ice skating playgrounds filled with old and young children of all ages. Live music will appear out of nowhere and brighten the skaters mood.
An
innumerable choice of activities are available in Amsterdam. You can find a list of what's on this week hanging in
widows and posted in most cafés, and in newspapers
published Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
There
is a central Entertainment Information and ticket
reservation service called AUB the acronym for "Amsterdam
Uit (Out) Bureau" on the Leidseplein. (Best place to buy tickets and All the folks speak English very well.)
Their
website: http://www.aub.nl (few
if any English pages ...but still worth a look)
An
English Language guide to the week's events called What's
On is published by the Visitor center folks called
the VVV and
is available at their office's (The main office is in front of CS (Central
Train Station) and available in most hotels.)
A
good basic guide for first time visitors or a refresher
guide is the BOOM CHICAGO GUIDE found in most every coffeeshop
and bar in town.
Shows
Boom Chicago Show in Amsterdam
Everyone's
favorite show in Amsterdam is BOOM
Chicago including
an ever growing number of hip Dutch residents
The
first guide puplication to check out when you get to town is "the
BOOM Chicago news" you can pick up a copy at any
cafe' or fun place in Amsterdam. It has lots of great
information for the new or veteran visitor.
Many people see Boom Chicago in their theater in the heart of Amsterdam, where they perform almost every night. The venue seats 280 people and offers a separate bar/lounge with a terrace on the Leidseplein.
In the theater, guests are seated at long tables and can enjoy a delicious dinner before the show. Head Chef Dave Cahill creates fresh and innovative menus that change with the season and satisfy different budgets.
Don't miss The BOOM!
Looking for an Amsterdam Stag Party with a difference?
Then check out The Stag Company
They offer lots of different activities including go-karting, paintballing, Heineken brewery tours, guided pub crawls and more... |
Dance Clubs & Young Music
Venues
Amsterdam
loves to party and is without a doubt the party capital
of Europe. We have some great live music and dance clubs, a great
mix of Reggae, Drum 'n' bass, Garage, Trance, Techno,
Disco and Hip Hop.
 Lijnbaansgracht 238 Tel. +31 (0)20 626 50 06
A seriousely cool 'night-theater' close to Leidseplein boasts a full music program, DJ's, poetry and performance.
If when you hear the word "club," it conjures unpleasing sounds of mind-numbing, repetitive buzzing of techno, house and electronic music, try Wicked Jazz Sounds.
The high-energy production is the antidote to a typical club. Home to DJs, VJs and live musicians, the Sugar Factory Nachttheater ("night theater") hosts the popular groove session on Sunday nights. For € 9.50 you'll be entertained by as many as 12 musicians, who improv funky grooves while DJs mix in and keep things bumping.
You can't help but dance along with the all-smiles and diverse crowd drawn by the unexpected genres of '70s R&B, Brit-pop, Motown and of course, jazz.
Sugar Factory usually stages two shows nightly, the early show is usually a stage performance, and the late show is music. Relaxed and easy going fun atmosphere, and reasonable drink prices.
Wicked Jazz Sounds Club Night at Sugar Factory http://www.wickedjazzsounds.com/
Visit their neat Website http://www.sugarfactory.nl
Get your freeSugar NEWSLETTER! and do tell
them we sent you!
Open daily except Tuesday - 9 p.m. - 4 a.m. (5 a.m. on Weekends)
|
|
Lijnbaansgracht
234 Close to the Leidseplein
+31 (0)20 531 8181 |
Melkweg
is Dutch for "Milky Way" this former dairy
is one of Amsterdam's most versatile venues. Mainly a live music venue, but during weekends it also hosts a variety of dance events. Some nights the venue is rented out so check the website. Facilities include a Cinema,
Café-Restaurant, lounge, art gallery, and music
dance halls. Nightly entertainment and host of special
Cultural events throughout the year. In contrast to other clubs the Melkweg has a keen eye for 'world music' trends says Amsterdam Hotspots.
A
favorite of young and old. Entrance fee averages € 17.
Euro with the month long entrance card included. Next
time you go during that month will only cost you € 15.
Euro
Open late till 5:00 a.m.
on Friday and Saturday and 4:00 a.m. the other nights and
closed most Mondays
Website: http://www.melkweg.nl
 The
legendary music venue
Weteringschans
6 At The Leidseplein. Tel: +31
(0)20 626 4521
Open
Wednesday through Sunday
Always
popular but can be crowded Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Mixed dress anything goes young crowd pack the place
to party hard with future funk, hip-hop, big-beat, and
classic house.
The
BIG STAR venue in Amsterdam. a former neo-Gothic church
has since the LOVE & PEACE movement headquarters
in the turbulent 1960's and has since been a favorite
performance venue for the worlds greatest talents."The
performers list is a 'Who's Who' of international contempory
music for the last 4 decades"
Great
viewing from the upper balcony that overlooks the stage
... "Wow
what a super spot to see a band play"
in
the heart of Amsterdam at Leidseplein
Website: http://www.paradiso.nl
Finally
an English language version Website: http://www.paradiso.nl/web/English-Agenda.htm
 Trouw
Wibautstraat 131 - Tel: +31 (0)20 463 77 88
Club-cum-restaurant Trouw houses in the former printing works of a major Dutch newspaper, and this shows - the club occupies all of 2000 m2 of pretty bare industrial space. Throw in a large and excellent soundsystem and there you have the Trouw no-frills club approach. Progressive electronic sounds are the main fare here.
 The restaurant serves international streetfood, and is open until 2 a.m. on Saturday nights, wonderful for Amsterdam as late night munchie choices have generally been restricted to fast food ...the food here is much better!
Club Open: = Fri - Sat 10 p.m. - 5 a.m.
Restaurant Open: = Tue - Fri 6:30 p. m. - 11 p.m. -- Sat 6:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Odeon
Singel 460 (close to the flower market)
In 1662 it was a brewery; in the 1950s it became one of the most famous gay clubs in Europe, hosting celebrities like David Bowie, Elton John and Freddie Mercury in the '70s. And after a few other incarnations, today the historic concert hall of this stately canal house serves as a chic club for all types.
Club nights: Friday and Saturday 11 p.m. - 5 a.m.
Website: http://www.odeontheater.nl/
The Power Zone
Daniel Goedkoopstraat 1-3 - Tel: +31 (0)20 681 88 66 (at the subway stop 'Spaklerweg')
 
Amsterdams first true megaclub with a capacity of well over 5000, located out of city center in a industrial zone near Amstel station. The Zone breaks with Amsterdam club tradition in that it does not have a door policy, and doesn't allow tipping. This is happy house territory for a broad audience, with a spacious interior with organic shapes like oval bars and round walls, and a large dance floor. Balcony with comfortable sofa's and chairs. The second floor houses the Comfort Zone, a 'lounge' area.
Open: Fri - Sat 11 p.m. - 5 a.m.
Supperclub
Jonge Roelensteeg 21 (tiny alley just south of Paleisstraat off Dam Square)
Another cure for the common club, the Amsterdam edition of trendy Supperclub is more performance art space than typical dance hall. The creators promise " a free state of sensual experiences," and claim, "Anything can happen at Supperclub." Believe them. In stark contrast to the bright-white restaurant and lounge on upper levels, the basement club is a red-leather lounge -- called La Chambre Obscure --- where you never know what to expect. This is especially true in the toilets, which are divided unorthodoxly into "Hetero" and "Homo."
Open: Daily 8 p.m. - close
Website http://www.supperclub.com/
Studio 80 
Rembrandtplein 17
Tel: +31 (0)20 521 83 33
Smaller club with DJ's and live acts. Nice mellow atmosphere and friendly staff especially considering its Rembrandtplein, Has a really solid sound system. We had agood time..drinks were not to expensive but we thought it was a little stuffy with all the sweating bodies jamed in to a small area...still a good spot to have some fun
Open: Wed - Sun 11 p.m. - 4:30 a.m. (5:45 a.m. on Weekends)
Escape
Rembrandtplein
11 - Tel: +31 (0)20 622 1111
Very
Big
One of the
largest of Amsterdam's
clubs, typically
packed to the roof
with 2000/plus steaming
hot clubbers, enjoying
some of the better
known International
DJ's. The party rarely
lives up to all the
hype they give out.
Door policy makes little
sense and is insulting
as planed. "Just
because it's BIG and
you can't get in, doesn't
mean it's good..
...even
so it's a very popular place.
Go figure..."
Latest: The notoriously selective door policy seems to have relaxed a little
..so we have a chance? ..we will see!.
In
their own words: "Escape
has been a fact in the Dutch
night life since 1987. Exclusive
parties, music, light, decoration:
all faces of a progressive
club venue. For young adults
who see themselves in a multi
media environment, existing
of modern dance music, hi-tech
lighting, eye caressing visuals
and Internet."
Open:
Tue. 8 PM - 1 a.m. Wed-Sun 11
p.m. 4 - 5 a.m. admission € 20. - € 25.
Website: http://www.escape.nl
Club Home 
Wagenstraat 3 Tel: +31 (0)20 620 13 75
Large club, Spread out on three levels, each with its own atmosphere. You enter the club into the 'Living Room', with a fireplace, bookshelves and comfortable seating. On the first floor is the 'Bedroom' which is the lounge area, and downstairs in the basement is the main dance area, with live DJ's most nights. We really loved the look and warm "party at your friends house" feel. Reminded me of parties we had in Alaska years ago in our home in the woods..
Open: Thu - Sun 11 p.m - 4 a.m. (5 a.m. on Weekends)
Jimmy
Woo
 Korteleidsedwarstraat
18 Tel: +31 (0)20 692 3150
A
friend got in the first week the place was open.
I, on the other hand am not in any way trendy.
The "pick you bitches' keep guard on the
entrance with the zeal of Jehovah witness. Black is the dominant color, with a large lounge area with black leather sofa's and a black bar. The dance floor is downstairs, with excellent lighting and sound system. Very cool
website!
Dress code? Yes but you'll have to check out the website to get the details. ...Not dressed correctly ? .. You'll never get in.
Open: Thu - Sun 11 p.m. - 3 a.m. (4 a.m. on Weekends)
Website: http://www.jimmywoo.com/
Dansen Bij Jansen
 Handboogstraat 11 - Tel: +31 (0)20 620 17 79
The city's student club music is disco, pop, house. Below is a small dance floor, with a quieter separate bar on the top floor. 'Students-only' means you need a valid student ID to get in. I showed my Post Grad School card and had no problem. Happy hour every night from 11pm-midnight. No dress code so 501's are cool.
Open: Daily 11 p.m. - 4 a.m. Weekends 5 a.m.
TWSTd 
Weteringschans 157
Tel: +31 (0)20 320 7030
Popular DJ bar just a short walk from Leidseplein. Small but packs a big punch with its sound and popular events.
Open seven days a week so there IS someplace to go on Monday or Tuesday and actually get in!.
TWSTd hosts famous spinners and new talent as well, all in good balance. A Queensday favorite outdoor event provider also..ask at the club for latest info.
Open Daily 6 p.m. - 1 a.m. (4 a.m. on Weekends)
 De Duivel
Reguliersdwarsstraat 87
Tel: +31 (0)20 626 61 84
Amsterdam's only hip-hop club, with rap and hip-hop beats and a crowd to match. Occasional live music during the weekends.
Open: Thu - Sat 8 p.m. - 3 (4 a.m. on Weekends)
Korsakoff
Lijnbaansgracht 161
Tel: +31 (0)20 625 78 54
Korsakoff combines a street level dance floor with a first floor bar. Alternative punk-rock and grunge sounds, and gathering place for Amsterdam's gothic scene. The bar has a balcony with a good view of the dance floor. Live music on Wednesdays.
Open: Daily 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. ( 4 a.m. on Weekends)
FlexBar
Pazzanistraat 1
Tel: +31 (0)20 486 21 23
Alternative club on the 'Westergasfabriek' grounds out of City Center. Flexbar consists of two interconnected spaces, thus able to host two different events at the same time. Moderately priced drinks and snacks.
Open: Thu - Sun 10 p.m. - 4 a.m. Fri & Sat 10 p.m - 5 a.m.
Bitterzoet
Spuistraat 2
Tel: +31 (0)20 623 13 80
Lively spacious bar-theatre-club close to Central Station, with DJ's, live music and the occasional performance. Bitterzoet stages lots of upcoming new talent, and leans towards the jazzy and world sounds. The club has a relaxed atmosphere, low admission fees, and moderately prices drinks, and is definitely worth a visit!
Open: Daily 9 p.m. - 3 a.m. Sat and Sun 11 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Panama
Oostelijke Handelskade 4 (eastern Harbor area)
Looking for an Amsterdam club where you don't feel like the rest of the crowd was in diapers when you were in collage? Try Panama, a café / restaurant / lounge / club fixture out in the eastern harbor area, which is known for more a 30-something than a 20-something crowd. The building itself is a former port authority structure and lends an industrial, Manhattan Meatpacking feel to the experience. Being just outside the tourist center makes for a more local and in-the-know clientèle.
Open: Friday and Saturday,
sometimes Thursday and Sunday (check agenda online) 10 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Website: http://www.panama.nl/home.php
ToNight at Hotel Arena
's-Gracesandestraat 51 ( North West corner of Oosterpark)
This former chapel is used as a conference and events center during the day; but on Friday and Saturday nights, the space transforms into a meeting place for locals and hotel guests to dance the night away to '80s, '90s, classic club or special theme music. The location outside the city center means fewer tourists.
Club nights: Friday and Saturday 11 p.m. - 4 a.m.
Website: http://www.hotelarena.nl/
Mansion
Hobbemastraat 2 (near Rijksmuseum)
Mansion is perfect for the wallflower who might want to see what's happening in a club, but who doesn't really want to partake. Choose from three cocktail bars on the ground level to get geared up for the DJ and Dim Sum basement level. There's plenty of room in the posh space, and the striking décor is worth waiting in line.
Club nights: Friday and Saturday 9 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Website: http://www.the-mansion.nl/
VISIT
The Red light district if you like being flogged to orgasm
in your favorite brothel by a cute boy or that
hot girl in the window... Amsterdam
has it all. Gay
and Straight SEX info: CAUTION ADULTS ONLY CLICK
HERE
|
Lange Leidsewarsstraat 64
Concertgebouw hosts multiple series of classical music concerts with the yearly attendance of more than 800 000 spectators, making it second most popular concert hall in the whole world (after the music complex Parco della Musica in Rome). In total 445 concerts are held each year in the big hall of the philharmonic (Grote Zaal) and 390 in the small hall (Kleine Zaal). Apart from the classical music concerts, jazz and pop shows are held in Concertgebouw, as well as special events - congresses and festive social occasions. 
Classical music concerts at the Concertgebouw are organized in several traditional series. Apart from traditional Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra evening concerts there are also 
The Municipal Theater, in Dutch Stadsschouwburg, dominates the Western side of the 
