Live music in Amsterdam: our 5 favourite places for cool sounds

After an eventful day in our beautiful canal city, which you may have spent with a tour or two, a bit of strolling and delicious food, it’s now time to secure the evening programme. What could be better than listening to some live music?

Amsterdam is not only the most beautiful city, but also the most musical in the Netherlands (if you ask us Amsterdammers 😉). Culturally, Amsterdam has an incredible variety to offer – from jazz to rock and indie to punk and all kinds of subgenres. The electronic music scene has also made a name for itself worldwide and attracts numerous visitors, not only during the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE). If you are interested in these and the city’s clubs, you are welcome to take a look at our guide to nightlife in Amsterdam.

We’ll tell you about live music bars, a few special event locations and even an insider tip where you’re guaranteed not to find live music in Amsterdam!

The 5 best places for live music in Amsterdam

1) Jazz: Bourboun Street

Bourboun Street is THE address for live music in Amsterdam. A true institution, you could say, as Bourbon Street has been around since 1990, making it one of the most historic live music bars in the entire city. Here you can listen to the finest jazz, funk and soul every day from 22:00 and enjoy the reasonably priced drinks.

By the way: If you are interested in history and culture, why not take a look at our cultural city centre tour – for the sporty ones, we are also happy to take you up on your bike!

Location: Leidseplein, Leidsekruisstraat 6-8

2) Rock/Indie/Punk: Soundgarden

Located to the west of the city centre and just a stone’s throw from the Jordaan district, you will find Soundgarden. Just like Bourbon Street, it is an established venue for great live music in Amsterdam. Soundgarden is particularly recommended in summer, because the name says it all: the bar has a beer garden that borders directly on the canal next to it. So enjoy a cold drink in the sunshine first and then join the rest of the music lovers inside later.

At Soundgarden you will find everything from rock and acoustic to indie and punk. The events usually take place on Thursdays or Fridays, so it’s worth taking a look at the website beforehand and checking out the programme.

Location: West of the Jordaan, Marnixstraat 164-166

3) Pop/rock/indie/everything: Paradiso Noord / Tolhuistuin

Paradiso is to Amsterdam what Berghain is to Berlin. Less dark and disreputable, but just as popular, one part of the club is located – who would have thought it – on Leidseplein. However, the main club is a club and event location, which is why we want to introduce you to its lesser-known twin, Paradiso Noord.

Just a 5-minute ferry ride away is the smaller Paradiso Noord venue in the Tolhuistuin, right next to the Amsterdam Lookout Tower and This is Holland. Here you will mainly find smaller, more intimate concerts, but also the odd more personal live music event.

Tolhuistuin is one thing above all: versatile. You will find numerous other events there that are well worth a visit. There are always panels, workshops or club nights taking place where the city’s latest musical talents can prove themselves.

If you want to find out what else makes the north of the city special, then the Noord bike tour is just right for you!

The opening hours vary and are also more event-based, so check online beforehand.

Location: Noord, Ijpromenade 2

4) Pop & Rock: Waterhole

If you’re looking for rock & pop, the Waterhole is the place for you. Also located on the Leidseplein music hotspot, you can watch the best live performances there every day from 8.30pm – 1.30am (often longer). The focus here is still on the essentials: good music, inclusivity and affordable drinks. So don’t expect a 5-star atmosphere. The Waterhole has a more family feel and also has open mic nights, so you can even join in if you feel like it!

Special tip: The Waterhole also has the longest happy hour in Amsterdam! Between 12:00 – 21:00 in fact. So it’s a great address for those looking to save money…

Location: Leidseplein, Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 49

5) Insider tip: Van Gogh Museum

What, there’s live music at the Van Gogh Museum? Yes! But not every day, only once a month during the museum’s special event: Vincent op Vrijdag. On the last Friday evening of every month, the museum is transformed into its very own event location with art, special exhibitions and 1A (live) music.

The visit can be perfectly combined with a Van Gogh museum tour, or gives you a unique Van Gogh experience if you weren’t able to get hold of tickets. Attention! This event is more popular with the people of Amsterdam than almost anything else. So here too, it’s important to plan your visit in advance and get tickets.

Take your time to view Van Gogh’s most important works in the evening hours, listen to the background music and savour the delicious cocktails, which are of course also available!

Location: Museumplein, Museumplein 6