Amsterdam is a hotspot for live music, from classical to rock, world rhythms to jazz, and the venues for live music in Amsterdam are just as varied. Check out these top picks for the best places to see live music in Amsterdam.
Best Overall: Paradiso
The Paradiso is on the list because it is a classic, a true Amsterdam landmark. The old church near Leidseplein has two spaces for live performances, the grote zaal (“great hall”) and the kleine zaal (“little hall”). The largest space (still with a capacity of about 2,000) attracts big pop / rock bands like Black Crowes and Dave Matthews; Many world music and reggae legends have also played here since its reopening in 1968. Both venues also host local / regional musicians and special club nights.
Best for jazz fans: Bimhuis
Amsterdam has always had a strong jazz scene, so it’s no surprise that it has one of the best venues for live jazz and improv music in Europe, if not the world. The Bimhuis (pronounced “BIM house”) has been around since the 1970s, hosting greats like Charles Mingus and Chet Baker. His 21st century house is a huge black box of a structure that hangs from the side of the Muziekgebouw, almost as if the architect were improvising, how appropriate. Audiences are rewarded not only with musical performances by world-class names and up-and-coming talents, but also with fantastic views of the harbor and its skyline.
Most of the most diverse line-ups: Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ
The training at the Muziekgebouw varies from opera to non-Western, vocal to classical. There is even a “Sound Playground” for children. But the spectrum of unique musical performances is not the only reason why both grandma and a group of girlfriends can enjoy the same show. The building itself is a beautiful piece of modern architecture; the trip to its location in the port of IJ will take visitors out of the comfort zone of old Amsterdam; and the view from the adjacent Star Ferry restaurant, dining room and terrace is spectacular.
Best for Jam-Band addicts: Melkweg
The Melkweg is something like the little sister of the Paradiso. Also a medium-sized place, it had a former life as a dairy (the name means “Milky Way”). It’s now home to Jam in the Dam, a three-day festival that fills the building to the guts with fans of jam bands. On other nights, the schedule could include Latin, hip-hop, reggae, and even theater and dance performances. Previous featured artists include U2, Police, Radiohead, and Coldplay.
Best Blues Venue: Maloe Melo
For a blues lover, there is no better place than Maloe Melo, a cozy music bar known to blues fans around the world. With live music every day, Maloe Melo offers every day of the week, be it blues, jazz or country; Tuesdays and Thursdays are dedicated to live jam sessions. Most of the musicians here go unnoticed, but past artists have included Patti Smith and Joe Cocker.
Best for off-beat acts: De Nieuwe Anita
This squat cultural center is a journey back in time, thanks to a retro interior filled with comfortable hangers. Not just a club with off-beat live music and affordable drinks, De Nieuwe Anita also functions as an ad-hoc cultural center with various events. So enjoy some period musicians (think Prohibition-era jazz or 1960s French chansons), classic cinema, or even learn to knit from the comfort of overstuffed chairs in this space. lounge type in Amsterdam West.
Best for All-Star Performances: Ziggo Dome
Intimate? Not least, with a capacity of 17,000, but this is the place to see the most famous names in modern music, from Madonna to Beyoncé; Radiohead to U2. Love it or hate it, it’s hard enough not to admire its beautiful contemporary architecture, courtesy of Benthem Crouwel, the same names behind the new Stedelijk Museum. Just don’t expect an actual dome, it’s a misnomer.
