Café Alto, Amsterdam

Café Alto is a small brown-café style place hidden away in the touristy restaurant area just off Leidseplein. Each night, a mix of regulars and tourists come here to ease back with a whiskey or well-mixed cocktail, and listen to the rhythms provided by top jazz musicians.

Since many years back, this intimate, dark and dusty little venue has attracted jazz enthusiasts from all over the world to Amsterdam. Many of the big names in jazz have entered the small stage over the years, and you can be sure to be regaled talented local groups and settings any day of the week.

Jazz and free-jazz dominates the musical agenda although blues bands have gigs from time to time. Much appreciated Dutch saxophonist Hans Dulfer performs here every Wednesday, sometimes accompanied by his equally talented daughter, Candy Dulfer.

Café Alto remains the only walk-in bar to offer live jazz every night of the week in Amsterdam and is definitely an unavoidable jazz venue. Be sure to get there early, and you might have a chance to score a table close to the stage.

Doors open at 9 pm all nights of the week. Music starts at 10 pm and plays the whole night through, to 3 am on weekdays and 4 am on weekends. When finding your way there, look for a large saxophone high upon the façade. Don’t miss out on this little piece of heaven!

For route description and info check out their webpage www.jazz-cafe-alto.nl.

Open:
Weekdays: 9pm – 3am
Weekends: 9pm – 4am
Admission: Free

Address:
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115
1017 PX Amsterdam
Phone: (+31) (20) 6263249