If you are trying to learn about the local music scene in Amsterdam you have come to the right place. The best musical instrument stores in your area including some different sections for where to buy guitars and the best drum shops in town seem like the logical place for us to begin.
While there is plenty of crossover between some lists we think we got the right spots in the right sections for you. Up next we will get into quality instrument repair shops near you because some reading this may need a piano tuned, a guitar repaired, or work done on other band instruments and there is somebody out there that can assist.
Contents
Then it will be time to pivot to the best music lessons for kids or adults. Following that we will give a shout out to the top stores for music lovers that sell vintage CD’s and records here.
We also think many of you will want to know about the best concert halls and live music venues while some others may prefer to visit bars and restaurants that have free live music around the city.
And we will get you out of here with the best festivals on the Amsterdam music calendar. Stay with us til the end where you will find a map with the wide variety of stores and venues we are discussing pointed out.
Everyone reading this is welcome to look through more of our European music guides right there if interested.
Amsterdam Musical Instrument Stores
Some of the best musical instrument stores near you would be:
- Dijkman Music at Rozengracht 115
- Key Music at Atlantisplein 1
- Soundplaza at Amstelveenseweg 162-A
- Charlie’s Music at Hoofdweg 228h
- Uke Boutique at Lijnbaansgracht 191
- Terpstra Muziek Drumland at Melbournestraat 2
- Bax Music at James Wattstraat 71
Dijkman Music has been open for over six decades and today they sell more than 100 keyboards, 900 guitars, 100 effects, processors, sound cards, and other music related instruments in your area.
Guitars, drums, bass, and other instruments are available at Key Music.
You can find some of the best guitars, bass, amplifiers, effects, keys, drums, and accessories at Sound Plaza.
Charlie’s Music has a carefully curated collection of vintage alto and tenor saxophones from brands like Selmer, Conn, Buescher, The Martin, and more.
Uke Boutique is your one stop shop for all things ukuleles which also has a growing community of players and learners.
Terpstra Muziek Drumland is a good local shop selling musical instruments, studio and DJ gear, stage equipment, and lighting.
You can operate DJ controllers, test studio headphones, test light effects, and even play electric guitars in one of Bax Music’s soundproof rehearsal rooms.
Where To Buy Guitars
For all the guitars and accessories you need check out:
- The String Guitar Shop at Van der Helstplein 11
- Diamond Guitars at Nieuwe Keizersgracht 58
- Prinz Guitars at Prinsengracht 326A
- The Plug at Ruysdaelkade 105
There are lots of top quality handmade guitars and parts at The String Guitar which also offers repairs and set ups.
Diamond Guitars sells, buys, and trades high end acoustic guitars near you and offers players, collectors, and musicians from all over the world with a broad collection of fine instruments and accessories.
New, used, vintage, electric, acoustic, classical, and Spanish guitars are available at Prinz as well as repairs and set ups.
De Plug specializes in vintage and old guitars and amplifiers.
Of course most of the places in our Amsterdam music stores list are also solid options for guitars.
Drum Shops Near You
And then there are these drum shops too:
- Lidah Drums at Erasmusgracht 267
- Classic Drums & Cymbals at Aalsmeerderweg 243K
Lidah Drums offers steel tongue drums and handpans as well as an extensive collection of wind instruments, classical percussions, and more.
Classic and vintage purple chords, drums, cymbals, and other instruments are available at Classic Drums and Cymbals.
Plenty of other shops on this page sell drums in your area and somewhere like Terpstra Muziek Drumland shouldn’t be overlooked.
Instrument Repairs
Instrument repairs in Amsterdam are available at:
- Saxomania at Van Boetzelaerstraat 37
- Hampe & Berkel Music at Spui 11
Saxomania offers adjustments, set ups, and other local services for your saxophones.
All kinds of instruments, sheet music, strings, and other accessories as well as repair services are available at Hampe and Berkel Musichas.
The String Guitar and Prinz we mentioned earlier are also good places to find instrument repairs near you.
Music Lessons
Level up by taking lessons at a music school in your area:
- Tyler Jones Music at Oude Looiersstraat 22H
- DJ School Amsterdam at Atlantisplein 1
- Music For Life at Charlotte de Bourbonstraat 2
- Muziekpakhuis at Alberdingk Thijmstraat 19
- Abbey Road Institute at Atlantisplein 1
Tyler Jones Music features trained instructors from Berklee College of Music and offers programs in different styles like blues and jazz.
Online professional DJ courses and music production are the specialties of DJ School Amsterdam.
Muziekpakhuis provides a range of local instrument lessons and workshops and creates an environment for students to feely express themselves.
Professional and advanced courses as well as music production and sound engineering are all offered at Abbey Road Institute.
CD & Record Stores
Check out all kinds of vintage CD’s and records at these local stores for music lovers:
- Velvet Music at Rozengracht 40
- Record Mania at Ferdinand Bolstraat 30
- Discostars Recordstore at Haarlemmerdijk 86
- Amstel Antiques Records at Amstel 110
- Fame Megastore at Oosterdokskade 67
- Waxwell Records at Gasthuismolensteeg 8
- Record Palace at Weteringschans 33-A
Record Mania is an art deco shop selling plenty of collectibles, used vinyl records, LP’s, singles, and CD’s from genres like funk, soul, jazz, rock, hip hop, reggae, pop, classical, and world music.
Some of the genres offered at Discostars include pop, rock, soul, world music, reggae, Dutch, classical, country, folk, jazz, blues, new age, hip hop, rap, and more.
A fine assortment of more than 25,000 LP records and CD’s near you covering genres like pop, rock, hard rock, metal, punk, rock and roll, new wave, jazz, soul, blues, folk, reggae, country, Latin, world music, and classical can be found at Amstel Antiques Records.
New and used vinyl for DJ’s, record collectors, and music enthusiasts featuring soul, hip hop, funk, jazz, blues, disco, classic rock, reggae, and pop are available at Waxwell Records.
Record Palace One is also a good place to buy jazz, blues, rock and roll, punk, pop, new wave, metal, soil, reggae, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s vinyl records.
Amsterdam Live Music Venues
Seeing a concert at Amsterdam live music venues is always a good time:
- Bimhuis at Piet Heinkade 3
- The Waterhole at Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 49
- Bourbon Street at Leidsekruisstraat 6-8
- Melkweg at Lijnbaansgracht 234A
- Paradiso at Weteringschans 6-8
- Pianobar Maxim at Leidsekruisstraat 33
The Bimhuis is one of the go to spots for good food, fine wines, and amazing live jazz music concerts.
Live rock bands and a line up of all popular music genres are featured along with billiard tables and snacks at The Waterhole.
Bourbon Street is one of the best live music venues in Amsterdam hosting jazz, blues, soul, and nearly any genre.
Paradiso is a pop stage, nightclub, and cultural place that has been hosting live performances for over 50 years.
Fun Restaurants With Entertainment
You can take a date or a group of friends to these restaurants with live music:
- Akbar Indian Restaurant at Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 15
- Bar Restaurant Pompstation at Zeeburgerdijk 52
- Elsa’s Café at Middenweg 73
- Rhythms Bar + Kitchen at De Passage 90
- Digters at Stationsplein 39E
Rhythms Bar + Kitchen Jaz brings together locals and visitors and offers a mash up of music, art, and culinary.
Bars With Live Music
There are also some bars that play live music around town:
- Mulligans Irish Music Bar at Amstel 100
- De Nieuwe Anita at Frederik Hendrikstraat 111
- Café Soundgarden at Marnixstraat 164-166
- Bar Oldenhof at Elandsgracht 84
- Skyy Bar at Hendrikje Stoffelsstraat
Mulligan is a lively riverside bar with graffiti’d terrace that features Guinness on tap, Irish sports, and regular live music in your area.
Touring musicians and comedians are hosted at De Nieuwe Anita which also offers try outs, film screenings, and literary nights and architecture.
Since 1993 The Soundgarten has been holding DJ nights and live acoustic sessions and features a waterside terrace.
You’ll love the panoramic views at Skyy Bar as well as their surprising cocktails, culinary bites, and live local music.
Music Festivals In Your Area
Have as much fun as you can at one of these music festivals near you:
- London Calling in May
- Awakenings Techno Music Festival in July
- Dekmantel in August
- Lowlands Festival in August
- Mysteryland Music Festival in August
- Dance Valley Festival in August
- Melody Garden in August
- Amsterdam Music Festival in October
- Mystic Garden Festival in October
Dekmantel is an electronic music festival in Amsterdam that you won’t want to miss.
Some of the world’s biggest DJ’s, special B2B sets, soaring beats, surreal stage production, and more can be found at the Amsterdam Music Festival.
You can read more of our posts on other cities like:
Enjoy The Amsterdam Local Music Scene
We tried to cover everything as quickly and as well as possible for you on this page. After reading about the best musical instrument stores, drum and guitar shops, instrument repair services, classes and lessons, vintage CD and record stores, concert halls and other live music venues near you like bars and restaurants, and the best festivals in the region you should have a much better understanding of what is available.
And anyone that made it this far might just know a little bit about the local music scene themself and if so feel free to tell us what we got wrong in the comments or share your own thoughts. Now it is time for you to go enjoy the music in Amsterdam.
