Best jazz bars and venues in Amsterdam

Major venues

Bimhuis

Bimhuis is one of Amsterdam’s largest pioneering jazz venues. It regularly welcomes acclaimed artists, international and local, to perform jazz and improvisation. The concert hall is also home to the most prominent Dutch jazz prize, the Boy Edgar Prize. There is much to discover, whether you prefer jazz, blues or a blend of genres. Aside from a vast array of daily performances, you can join the free Tuesday jam sessions happening in the Bimhuis cafe.

The Royal Concertgebouw

The world-renowned Royal Concertgebouw is known for its exceptional classical music offering and highlighting and uplifting jazz musicians. One of the initiatives that the Concertgebouw is involved in is the Dutch Jazz Heritage. This concept revives concerts by jazz legends of the 1950s and 60s performed by the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw in collaboration with the Dutch Jazz Archive. The Concertgebouw has seen iconic performers such as Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong. Now, the new wave of jazz talent is taking to the stage, and it’s the perfect time to become part of this living history.

Jazz festivals

Red Light Jazz

6 - 8 June 2025

Red Light Jazz is an annual jazz festival hosted in various venues throughout the Red Light District, from cafes to restaurants to churches and iconic theatres. It was initiated by local entrepreneurs to highlight Amsterdam’s rich tradition as a jazz city. 

Jazzfest Amsterdam

Jazzfest Amsterdam showcases the best of Amsterdam’s dazzling jazz scene. Jazz musicians from various movements are united together under one roof in Amsterdam Oost for one evening. The JazzFest Amsterdam also organises JazzFest for Kids, the JazzFest Neighbourhood Concerts, JazzFest Talks and JazzFest Minifest, with a small number of performers taking the stage at Bimhuis.

Super-Sonic Jazz Festival

Super-Sonic Jazz Festival is a talent development platform that provides a stage for the new wave of contemporary jazz musicians. They organise concerts throughout the year in various venues, from Paradiso and Bitterzoet to SkateCafé and De Brakke Grond. The Super-Sonic Jazz Festival happens once a year, usually in November. It includes a lot of genre-blending and experimentation with the contemporary nature of jazz and hip-hop, neo-soul, R&B and electronic, truly pushing at the definitions of jazz culture. 

Super-Sonic Showcase Fest: Celebrate Your Locals

2 - 3 July 2025

Since 2025, the Super-Sonic Jazz family has grown with the launch of a new two-day event at Paradiso: the Super-Sonic Showcase Fest. This exciting addition highlights up-and-coming artists who are redefining jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop, with a focus on talent from the Dutch local scene.

Jazz bars and cafés

Café Alto

Live jazz awaits you every night at Jazz Cafe Alto, a jazz cafe on the Korte Leidsedwarsstraat hailing back to 1953. Doors open at 21.00 and the music starts at 22.00 and goes till 02.00 (and till 03.00 during the weekend). Early Monday evenings are reserved for jazz sessions, from 18:00 to 20:00. You can expect a range of artists in jazz and blues, from young up-and-comers to experienced professionals performing in a cosy bohemian setting.

Contra

Located right in the heart of Amsterdam in the building of the Amsterdam Academic Club, Contra is a live music bar and restaurant that does both atmosphere and food well. Split across two floors and soaked in sensual, late-night red lighting, complete with a mini stage, the trick here is to grab a corner table and start with some dinner snacks a la carte and order into the night as performers gradually take to the stage and lull you into the night with seductive jazz tracks. It’s intimate, different and most of all an experience – what else do you want from a night out? 

Café De Engelbewaarder

Café de Engelbewaarder is known for almost 40 years of weekly live jazz sessions. The cafe has hosted legendary musicians such as Woody Shaw, David Murray and Archie Shepp. Nowadays, the sessions go on every Sunday afternoon from 16:30 to 19:00. The permanent backing band consisting of Leo Bouwmeester on piano, Jacko Schoonderwoerd on double bass and Victor de Boo on drums invites a different guest player every week. 

Café van Leeuwen

Every Sunday at 20:00, you can expect a jazz concert at Café van Leeuwen. The café often welcomes artists to share their latest releases, and you’re guaranteed to enjoy energetic jazz, hot vocals and cool grooves. The entrance is free.

Pllek

Stop by Pllek in NDSM every Sunday afternoon to enjoy their Laidback Lives starting at 15:30. The entrance is free, so chill with a drink and enjoy the city views to improvisation sounds, with something different awaiting you every week.

Splendor

Every week, Splendor hosts an array of concerts with regular special jazz programming. The 50 Splendor musicians use the space for their music all year round, but Artists in Residence are also invited to showcase their talents to the public. Step inside this incredible former bathhouse to be inspired by jazz sounds from all over the world. The bar is located in central Amsterdam on the Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 116.

Zaal 100

Zaal 100 is a neighbourhood cultural centre established in 1984 as a squat. Nowadays, they organise everything from art exhibitions to theatre and modern jazz evenings every Tuesday evening. The performers unite into new combinations every time to keep the groups and their improv fresh. The performance starts at 21:00 and is also streamed online.

Maloe Melo

Maloe Melo is the oldest blues cafe in Amsterdam. Based in the heart of the Jordaan, it has live music any day of the week from 21:00 and into the early morning hours. The entrance is always free, and jam sessions take place every week.

House of Jazz

Every Sunday afternoon, TenClub Amsterdam turns into a playground for live jazz accompanied by champagne and oysters for House of Jazz. Hosted by Bas van Lier, House of Jazz presents the best musicians from home and abroad, from Dulfer to Sister Sledge, Michael Varekamp to Benjamin Herman.

Honourable mentions

• Cafe de Pianist - Acoustic live music is played weekly at Cafe de Pianist, starting with its co-owner Rob on the piano. The night continues with jazz, gipsy jazz, singer-songwriter duos and more. Keep an eye out for the lazy Sunday afternoon sessions and the Fun Fridays on the agenda: they will often have jazz, as well, and don’t miss the Jazz night every Thursday from 20:00 to 23:00.
• Studio/K - Every last Wednesday of the month, enjoy jazz at Studio/K for their regular event Jazz in /K. A group of musicians fills the restaurant with some swinging and magical sounds. So, make your dinner or movie night even cosier by watching and listening to the band!
• Zoku - Friday jazz nights at Zoku on Weesperstraat are arguably one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Come by in the evening and enjoy the music on the 6th rooftop floor. Zoku serves gin cocktails for a special rate. No entrance fee is required.