Choose your location
Mon / Mar 8
Party Earth Review Dimly illuminated by rustic lanterns, candles, and strings of soft lights, Jazz Café Alto is a quaint, smoky bar just off of Leidseplein that offers fantastic live jazz every night of the week. Over fifty years old, Alto... ... read full review
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115
1017 Amsterdam
020 6263249
M–Th, Su 9pm–3am, F–Sa 9pm–4am
Leidseplein, Amsterdam –
Dimly illuminated by rustic lanterns, candles, and strings of soft lights, Jazz Café Alto is a quaint, smoky bar just off of Leidseplein that offers fantastic live jazz every night of the week.
Over fifty years old, Alto’s has played host to three generations of regulars. Wood floors and walls covered in photographs of local and legendary jazz cats create a cozy tavern vibe where patrons sip whiskey and wine as the musicians perform their magic on the tiny stage.
The whistlin’-hot music has been known to lure in celebrities like Chet Baker, Bill Clinton, Liza Minnelli, and Rosa King. And judging by the musicians’ smooth compositions and fiery solos, the in-house joke about the out-of-tune piano is clearly not to be taken seriously.
Alto’s is a place for true jazz lovers who want to escape the swanky, avant-garde style of mainstream swing, so patrons should just kick back, relax and listen to the sweet soul-inspiring sounds.
If live jazz music in a small, smoky tavern is your idea of heaven, then don’t miss this place. The band starts up around 10pm, and the €5 cover charge on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays includes a free beer at the bar. Though the cover charge helps keep pickpockets away, keep an eye out for them on busy nights.
Relaxed but well-dressed, late 20s and up.
Live jazz nightly, from blues to salsa to hot licks.
None.
Cover charge €5/W, Sa. Beer €2.50, wine €3.50, mixed drinks €7.50.
Smart casual.
A great option any night, but on Wednesdays it’s possible to catch the lively local saxophonist Hans Dulfer. The place overflows with jazz enthusiasts on the weekends.
Rookies (Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 145-147) is a large and open coffeeshop with a nice-sized smoking lounge and a thirst-quenching menu of juices and hot drinks. Across from Rookies is the Whiskycafé L&B with over 1200 whiskeys to sample.
Jazz Café Alto User Reviews