Tucked away behind Leidseplein amidst the tourist trap food establishments is Bourbon Street and the name says it all: New Orleans revisited, with blues and soulful jazz aplenty. Bourbon Street serves up jam sessions with live bands and performers on most nights. Musicians are welcome as are the crowds. It’s open late and stays open allowing you to while away long nights as things really get swinging.
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Casablanca is a restaurant / bar / cabaret / jazz music establishment situated on Zeedijk, on the border of the red light district and China Town. Zeedijk now cleaned up, bares no resemblance to its former self as a rather sleazy street, instead offering a range of Chinese and Indonesian restaurants, pubs and gay bars.
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Pata Negra is a real Spanish Cafe and tapas bar on the incredibly trendy and sophisticated Utrechtsestraat just a short walk from the more touristy Rembrandtplein. It’s wel worth a walk, or hop on Tram 4 to get there. Pata Negra is chic and stylish and very very busy on weekends with a mix of successful, well heeled locals and tourists.
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