10 Best Places to See Live Music in Amsterdam
Where to See a Concert in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is known for its nightlife, and one of the best aspects of that scene is the music. You’ll find quite a few different venues offering incredible experiences that you won’t find anywhere else, and you can see all sorts of different genres performed live.
Many of the venues around town have some historical value and add a bit more variety to your experience. Whether you’re visiting a local treasure or a brand new venue, you’re sure to find unique experiences that can make your night in Amsterdam just as lively as the day.
1. Royal Concertgebouw
A grand and historic concert hall
Good for: History, Nightlife
The Royal Concertgebouw, literally translated as “Royal Concert Building”, is a historic venue in town that showcases orchestral performances in a hall that dates back more than a century. The building was originally constructed in 1888 as a concert hall and has served the same purpose ever since, although it did undergo massive renovations in the 1980s.
One of the most impressive features of this concert hall is the organ, which dates back to 1890, making it nearly as old as the venue itself, although similar to the venue, it was renovated in the late 20th century. Read more
Location: Concertgebouwplein 10, 1071 BB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Hours vary by event
Phone: +31 (0)20 671 8345
Royal Concertgebouw
2. Melkweg
Music and dancing in a former dairy
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
The Melkweg, which translates as “Milky Way”, is a popular late-night music venue that also doubles as a cultural center featuring various genres of music. The venue is run by a nonprofit organisation, so every event held here is in the express interest of displaying the artistic value of the music rather than to make money.
Within the venue, you’ll find a total of 4 halls where musical performances are held. This is largely because the building itself used to be a dairy, so there are many distinct spaces within. You may even want to visit for experiences other than live music, such as art exhibitions and movie theater showings. Read more
Location: Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 1017 PH Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Friday–Tuesday from 10 am to 5 am, Wednesday–Thursday from 10 am to midnight
Phone: +31 (0)20 531 8181
Melkweg
3. Maloe Melo
A trendy blues and rock cafe
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Maloe Melo is a popular blues and rock cafe in town where you’ll not only find the best live bands around but also delicious food and satisfying beverages. When you visit this relatively small and intimate venue, you can hear some of the best blues music in the city.
This bar and live music venue is located in a residential area of Amsterdam, off the beaten path, so it offers a more exclusive atmosphere than you might expect. Additionally, their live music performances occur daily, so it’s easy to fit a great night out into your schedule.
Location: Lijnbaansgracht 163, 1016 VX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Wednesday–Saturday from 9 pm to midnight (closed Sunday–Tuesday)
Phone: +31 (0)20 420 4592
Maloe Melo
4. Bimhuis
Jazz and improv at this modern concert hall
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Bimhuis is known primarily for its jazz performances and shows of improvised music, with an impressive average of 150 performances a year. Situated in a futuristic-looking, modern building, they’ve been featuring live jazz performances ever since the 1970s, and their shows only get more impressive each year.
When you visit this venue, you’ll also find quite a few conveniences to enjoy. There’s easy access and seating available for guests with mobility issues, and you can have your ticket scanned directly from your smartphone. There’s also a restaurant onsite exclusively for concert-goers. Read more
Location: Piet Heinkade 3, 1019 GM Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Wednesday–Monday from 6.30 pm to 1 am, Tuesday from 9 pm to 1 am
Phone: +31 (0)20 788 2150
Bimhuis
5. Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ
The home of contemporary classical music
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ is a trendy concert hall that focuses on classical music performances composed in the modern-day by international touring artists. Even the architectural style of the building is modernist, further emphasizing its commitment to contemporary classical music.
One of the most iconic features of this venue is its organ. This impressive device is a microtonal 31-TET Fokker organ that the famed Adriaan Fokker originally designed. The organ is used quite often for regular concerts, so chances are you’ll be able to see it in action when you visit.
Location: Piet Heinkade 1, 1019 BR Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Hours vary by event
Phone: +31 (0)20 788 2000
Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ
6. Chicago Social Club
A laid-back bar and dance club
Good for: Nightlife, Photo
The Chicago Social Club is a great destination for visitors looking for a more intimate nightclub experience that’s as relaxing as it is fun. This popular venue specifically aims to give you a “gezellig” (cozy) experience, so there’s lots of comfy furniture to lounge around on.
You’ll find 2 levels within this club, along with DJs performing a live mix of techno and hip-hop music. The dance floor is always a popular spot, but you’ll find plenty of other areas to just relax and take it all in. Just keep in mind that you need to be at least 21 years of age to enter.
Location: Leidseplein 12, 1017 PT Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 8 pm to 4 am, Friday–Saturday from 8 pm to 5 am
Phone: +31 (0)20 760 1171
Chicago Social Club
7. Paradiso
Incredible live music in a converted church
Good for: History, Nightlife
The Paradiso is a truly unique live music venue and cultural center housed within a former church. There is impressive architecture all around to give your night a special atmosphere and the venue hosts a wide variety of musical genres. Some of the most legendary artists in history have played here, including David Bowie, The Killers, Public Enemy, Bad Brains, and many more.
One of the major reasons this venue is known for showcasing such a diversity of musical styles is thanks to its fascinating history. Hippie counterculture was prevalent in the area decades ago, leading to numerous punk and new wave artists performing here. These days, however, you’ll find those genres alongside modern rock, rap, and even classical music. Read more
Location: Weteringschans 6-8, 1017 SG Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Hours vary by event
Phone: +31 (0)20 626 4521
Paradiso
8. Ziggo Dome
A vast indoor arena for monumental music
Good for: Nightlife, Unusual
The Ziggo Dome is an absolutely enormous venue that hosts performances by artists who tour the world and draw in massive crowds. It’s one of the busiest concert venues in the world, hosting a huge variety of acts that pack its 17,000 capacity stands with adoring fans regularly.
One of the best features of this venue is its unique shape, which was designed specifically to amplify and enhance musical performances. Despite the name of Ziggo Dome, this venue doesn’t actually implement any round shapes in its design.
Location: De Passage 100, 1101 AX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Hours vary by event
Phone: +31 900 235 3663
Ziggo Dome
9. The Waterhole
Fun for all ages at this welcoming venue
Good for: Families, Nightlife
The Waterhole is a funky tavern with daily live music that also features food, beverages, and games to enjoy. For the most part, the music here tends to be local artists covering popular blues, rock, and funk songs.
Visitors of all ages are welcome here as the music tends to be appropriate for wide audiences. If you’re looking for a more adult-oriented experience, however, you can visit after happy hour. Just keep in mind that there’s an 18-year-old age requirement to enter after 9 pm.
Location: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 49, 1017 PW Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Sunday–Thursday from noon to 3 am, Friday–Saturday from 12.30 pm to 4 am
Phone: +31 (0)20 620 8904
The Waterhole
10. AFAS Live
See a show at the black box
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
AFAS Live, also known as “the black box”, is a massive concert venue specifically designed for amplified music, making concerts sound better than ever before. This venue has a capacity of 6,000 seats, so you can expect a much more exclusive kind of experience that features big artist performances.
Quite a few different kinds of artists play here. Essentially, anything that draws large crowds may be able to book a show here, whether it’s rock, rap, electronic, or virtually anything else you can imagine. Some of the most popular acts that have graced this stage include Daft Punk, Twenty One Pilots, and Bob Dylan.
Location: Johan Cruijff Boulevard 590, 1101 DS Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Hours vary by event
Phone: +31 900 687 4242
AFAS Live
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