Amsterdam, a city renowned for its artistic spirit and vibrant nightlife, is experiencing a resurgence in hi-fi listening bars. These unique venues cater to audiophiles and music lovers alike, offering a haven to immerse yourself in the pure, unadulterated sounds of your favourite music.
Whether you're a musician, DJ or simply have a discerning ear for quality audio, these new spots are sure to inspire your auditory senses. Let's delve into these places that are redefining the listening experience.
murmur
Immerse yourself in the ambient soundscapes at Murmur. This bar takes a unique approach to listening experiences, focusing on experimental and electronic music. Murmur features a carefully designed soundsystem by Kantarion Sound that prioritizes spatial audio, creating an immersive environment that surrounds you with the music. A favourite amongst the art school kids, you’ll always meet interesting people here.
cornerstore
Seasonal menus, natural wine, and vinyls, what’s not to love about cornerstore. A local favorite, it’s rare to find a place that consistently delivers such a good vibe for an evening out. The guys behind Cafe Binnenvisser put this noord hotspot on the map featuring beautiful custom lighting by artist Nikki Hock, and wines supplied by Troppo Giovane. If you’re looking for your waiter, he’s probably run over behind the decks to select the next record. Don’t worry, he’ll be right back.
Bar Theo
A cosy bar in the Jordaan, Bar Theo dances somewhere between a casual drink spot and a micro club depending on the night. Kitted out with custom Kikuno speakers, your ears are in for a treat whether it’s one of the resident djs or special guests the likes of Wata Igarashi behind the decks. Keep an eye of their IG for programming, and head over for one of their chef pop ups, record label parties, or regular old bar nights. You don’t have to look hard to find it, because you’ll always find their bar nights spilling over onto the street corner of the Rozengracht.
Borisov
A cafe by day, club by night, Borisov has to be one of the most diverse use of space from the list. Opening in the pandemic, Borisov kept night life culture alive in Amsterdam by allowing a host of different parties and labels to host club nights here. The flexibility of the space ranges from summer bbq’s on the big terrace, to mind blowing raves late into the night. A hotspot for music lovers of all types, check their program and don’t miss your chance to see some of the finest djs and producers in an intimate setting. It’s always worth the bike ride.
Other notable locations:
Denada
Multipla
Bordello Aperitivo
Benelux Bar
Pamela Amsterdam