Best listening bars in Amsterdam

Corner Store

It doesn’t come much hipper than Corner Store - a vibey record bar and Japanese-European-fusion kitchen where DJs spin vinyl through dinner. Here, it's as much about the exceptional umami flavours, cocktails and flowing natural wine as it is about the music. The interiors were fitted with hand-crafted acoustic panels on the ceilings and walls, along with a vintage HiFi system that gives each record its authentic sound.

Obsidian

This hidden speakeasy location combines a laid-back, jazzy vibe with the audio quality of a Tokyo-style listening bar. Obsidian by Graphite is a newly constructed acoustic space perfectly designed to optimise music appreciation. Inside, you’ll find a stage, a high-spec vinyl DJ setup, comfortable armchair seating, and a bespoke sound system. Start the evening with relaxed fine-dining courtesy of top chef Peter Gast and there’s no doubt you’ll end it on the dancefloor.

H/eart.h

Delicious plant-based dishes and superb sound collide at H/eart.h in Amsterdam Oost, where music is a core component of this vegan cafe-restaurant. The interior space was designed with audio in mind, with quality handcrafted speakers and sound engineering to enhance the experience of their regular listening sessions with local and international DJ talents. Enjoy these stunning immersive sounds over dinner at weekends, and keep an eye on their agenda for more live music including jazz nights and special events. 

Doka

This subterranean listening bar in Amsterdam Oost has a fantastic audio set-up and such good sound insulation you’d never know it was there. At Doka, DJs, artists, live bands and other creatives provide the early evening soundtrack as cocktails are slurped. Later on, the space transforms into an intimate, sweaty club that stays open until the sun comes up. Check the programme for visionary local talent and international guests spinning vinyl.

Radio Radio

This intimate DJ bar and club in Westerpark has a great sound system and plays sets all night long every Thursday to Sunday. At Radio Radio, you can expect a curation of the coolest sounds from all over the world, and they live stream too. Stop by for cocktails on the terrace before heading onto the intimate dancefloor. Much like Doka, this entry is more like a small club, but during their earlier DJ broadcasts, it definitely has more of a sit-down vinyl bar. Check out this round-up of tiny dancefloors for more.

Feed Amsterdam

Feed is the newest space in Amsterdam Oost aiming to simultaneously nourish bellies, ears and hearts. Music-minded people meet here for the great set-up, sound system and broadcasting booth. The agenda is packed with local DJs spinning laid-back vinyl at weekends, midweek music quizzes and Sunday live jazz sessions. The bar and kitchen dishes up a knock-out brunch and dinner menu all washed down with some great cocktails.

Bordello Aperitivo

The glowing Cinzano sign and glitter ball should tell you everything you need to know about the kind of records spun at this Italo-kitsch-inspired cocktail bar on the Zeedijk. Bordello Aperitivo is the first venue dreamed up by the team behind the Bordello a Paragi record label whose cosy record store is located just down the street. On the decks, at the weekend, DJs play all kinds of rare vinyl obscurities - with a heavy emphasis on Italo disco, of course.

murmur

One of the more recent additions to Amsterdam’s music scene, murmur is a listening bar and art space in Amsterdam Noord. Inside, you’ll find a cosy atmosphere and reasonably priced drinks with a curious crowd tuning in to artists that take you on an extended (mostly 6-hour) trip through their dearest and often more experimental edges of their music libraries, on a custom 4-point sound system, which is tailored to their space. It's a true meeting point for artists, collectors, and record labels, with various talks, performances, exhibitions, story-telling nights, and album showcases on the agenda.

Oedipus Taproom

Amsterdam-born Oedipus Brewing has its very own taproom in Amsterdam Noord. At weekends, they broadcast live radio sets with DJs spinning everything from jazz to modern worldly, ambient and tropical sounds at weekends. Thursdays are for the obscure records, Fridays are all about tropical, worldly sets and on Saturdays, it’s time to dance to funky hi-energy disco/Italo tunes.

BR020

Many of this list’s venues blur the boundaries between listening bars, dance restaurants or small clubs. BR020, on the other hand, is a vinyl bar in a purer sense. This cosy cafe on the Marnixstraat at the western edge of the City Centre has walls covered with records, regular live music and vinyl-only listening events, from open mics to metal Tuesdays to samba selections. Grab a cocktail and settle in to listen from early evening until late.

De Nada

Joining the league of vinyl bars popping up in Amsterdam, you'll find De Nada in old-world Rivierenbuurt. Sip on their list of natural wines (and beers for those partial) while tucking into small plates and charcuterie as genre-spanning records play in the background. This is the spot for those seeking atmosphere and ambience.

Black Gold

Serious about caffeine and want to meet like-minded music people? Less of a vinyl bar and more of a music and coffee house, Black Gold is an independent vinyl and speciality coffee shop where you’ll find regular in-store concerts, DJ sessions and art exhibitions. In their own words, the owners are passionate about sourcing excellent quality coffee beans, connecting people and inspiring them through music. Crate-diggers will also find broad genres such as funk, afrobeat, 90s hip hop and electronica. Check out this round-up of the best record stores in Amsterdam for more

Loop 51

Another venue that puts as much focus on daytime events as nighttime is this brunch slash listening bar Loop 51, which is for those of you who like to get into the breakfast groove. During the day, feast on buttermilk fried chicken and waffles, while from 17:00 onwards, selected DJs get their vinyls out to add a little ambience, atmosphere and music for an all-day and night affair.