Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [152]
Shopping | Shops |
Music
The price of CDs in Amsterdam is higher than in Britain – and outrageous compared to the US. Where the city scores points, however, is in its variety: there are lots of small, low-key independent shops specializing in one type of music or another and it’s here you can uncover vintage items unavailable elsewhere. If it’s vinyl you’re after, on the other hand, you’ve come to the wrong city. Some places still sell records, but it’s very much taken for granted that music comes on CD. The main exception is the Waterlooplein flea market, which has stacks of old records – and CDs – on offer.
Back Beat Records Egelantiersstraat 19 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/627 1657, www.backbeat.nl. Small specialist in soul, blues, jazz, funk, etc, with a helpful and enthusiastic owner. Mon–Sat 11am–6pm.
Blue Note Gravenstraat 12 (Old Centre) 020/428 1029. A great selection of jazz records and CDs. Tues–Sat 11am–7pm, Sun noon–5pm.
Broekmans & Van Poppel Van Baerlestraat 92–94 (Museum Quarter and Vondelpark) 020/675 6979, www.broekmans.com. Specialists in classical and opera CDs and sheet music, of which they have perhaps the best selection in the city. Mon 10am–6pm, Tues–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–5pm.
Concerto Utrechtsestraat 54 (Grachtengordel south) 020/623 5228, www.concertomania.nl. New and used records and CDs in all categories; equally good on baroque as on grunge. One of the best all-round selections in the city, with the option to listen before you buy. Mon–Sat 10am–6pm (Thurs till 9pm), Sun noon–6pm.
Discostars Haarlemmerdijk 86 020/626 1777. Brilliantly chaotic CD and vinyl store, with a vast collection of stuff you won’t find anywhere else. Mon 1–6pm, Tues–Sat 10–6pm, Sun 1–6pm.
Distortion Records Westerstraat 244 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/627 0004, www.distortion.nl. Secondhand independent shop with vinyl everywhere. Tues–Fri 11am–6pm (Thurs till 9pm), Sat 10am–6pm.
Fame Kalverstraat 2 (Old Centre) 020/638 2525. The only large music warehouse in town; predictable selection of CDs and tapes. Books and computer games too. Mon & Sun noon–7pm, Tues–Sat 10am–7pm (Thurs till 9pm).
Free Record Shop Kalverstraat 32 & 230 (Old Centre) 020/626 5808. One of the better pop/rock chains. No vinyl. Also at Leidsestraat 24 (Grachtengordel south), Centraal Station and Nieuwendijk 229 (both Old Centre).
Killa Cutz Nieuwe Nieuwstraat 19 (Old Centre) 020/428 4040. Specializes in all the latest techno and electronic music. Daily 10am–6pm, closed on Wed in winter.
Phantasio 2e Tuindwarssatraat 53 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/421 7110. Large shop with a good collection of mainstream alternative music – CDs only – and a “listening table” equipped with headphones. Good for flyers. Mon & Sun noon–6pm, Tues–Fri 11am–7pm (Fri till 8pm), Sat 10am–7pm.
South Miami Plaza Albert Cuypstraat 116 (De Pijp, Outer districts) 020/662 2817. Large store specializing in Portuguese and Surinamese music, but plenty of other styles too, along with posters and DVDs. Mon–Sat 9am–6pm.
Shopping | Shops |
Speciality shops
Perhaps more than any other city in Europe, Amsterdam is a great source of idiosyncratic little shops devoted to one particular product or special interest. What follows is a selection of the city’s more distinctive offerings.
3-D Holograms Grimburgwal 2 (Old Centre) 020/624 7225. All kinds of holographic art, big and small – and erotic too. Mon & Sun 1–5.30pm, Tues–Fri noon–6pm, Sat noon–6pm.
Absolute Danny OZ Achterburgwal 78 (Old Centre) 020/421 0915. A so-called “erotic lifestyle store”, specializing in rubberwear, bondage gear, basques, etc. Mon–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun noon–9pm.
Ajax Fan Shop Arena Boulevard 1–3 (Outer districts) 020/311 1688. Official club shop selling the current strips and sportsgear, as well as the usual hats and duvet covers. There’s also an unofficial outlet at Kalverstraat 86 (Grachtengordel west) if you can’t be bothered to schlep all the way out to the stadium.