Of course, musicians perform on the street regularly – particularly during warm weather. Street performers are a Dutch tradition, especially in the squares. Alto Jazz Café offers a relaxing atmosphere with smooth tunes. Bourbon Street is another relaxed club that offers jazz sounds alongside the blues and live jam sessions reminiscent of New Orleans. Over the years, Bourbon Street has hosted such famous musicians as The Rolling Stones and Sting. Café Casablanca, started in 1945, is one of the most famous and popular of Amsterdam’s many jazz venues.

Maloe Melo is a calm, intimate setting filled with the sounds of the blues, popular among local performers. Mulligan’s Irish Music Bar is home to Irish pop sounds, Celtic guitar solos, traditional Irish songs and even rockabilly. Sunday evenings offer open jam sessions at this popular bar, where patrons can also watch futbol on the television and enjoy a swig of stout Irish whiskey. Akhnaton and Paradiso are both dance-oriented venues. Live music can be heard here some nights, but primarily disc jockeys spinning the latest techno, or “house music,” hits.

Amsterdam is a city of music. Although that may not be the first thing people associate the city with, it is true. From techno to classical music to ethnic sounds to the much-loved jazz, Amsterdam offers it all. In fact, the largest jazz festival in the world takes place in Amsterdam each year, adding yet another reason to visit this beautiful city.