Date ideas in Amsterdam
Six ways to visit The Concertgebouw together
There are better date ideas in Amsterdam than a terrace or a bar, and you will find them on Museumplein. At The Concertgebouw you step into a world of breathtaking music, gilded halls and an atmosphere that makes an evening special all by itself. Whether you have loved classical music for years or have never heard an orchestra live: a concert here is one you will not forget. And neither will your date.
Below are six ways to go together, from a short Sunday morning concert to a full evening with dinner beforehand.
1. Short and easy: a Sunday morning concert
It lasts exactly one hour, and you still have the whole day ahead of you. That makes The Sunday Morning Concert one of the easiest date ideas there is: no need to fill an entire evening when you do not know each other well yet, and afterwards you walk straight out onto Museumplein or into the Vondelpark.
2. Up close: chamber music in the Kleine Zaal
In the Kleine Zaal, our Recital Hall, you sit close to the musicians. You hear them breathe and see them glance at each other. For anyone new to classical music this is often a surprisingly direct first encounter, and far more personal than a large orchestra at a distance.
3. Go big: a symphony concert in the Grote Zaal
If you want to impress, this is it. A full orchestra in the Grote Zaal, our Main Hall and one of the finest-sounding concert halls in the world, beneath the names of composers written in gold along the walls. The moment the orchestra starts and the hall falls silent is exactly why people come here for the first time and keep coming back. Browse the concert calendar.
4. After dinner: a short evening concert
Not every concert starts at a quarter past eight. Some begin at 20:15 or 21:00 and last a little over an hour. Ideal if you want a relaxed dinner first and still give the evening a second half, without it turning into a three-hour programme.
5. Dinner first, then music
You do not even have to leave the building. Restaurant LIER serves seasonal dishes made with regional ingredients, with a view over Museumplein, as a two or three-course dinner. Café Viotta is more casual: a light lunch, a good glass of wine or a full dinner, before the concert or afterwards. More about food and drinks.
A small detail that goes down surprisingly well: at concerts without an interval you get a drink on arrival, and it is usually included in the ticket price.
6. Under 35: your date never pays more than you
Are you 35 or younger? Then there is a good reason to join Entrée, the young people's club of The Concertgebouw and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. For €30 a year you get:
- Up to 75% discount on more than 400 concerts per season
- Two free welcome concert tickets when you join, for you and a +1
- Your guest always pays the same price, so your date never pays more than you
Those last two are reason enough on their own. The membership pays for itself on your very first concert night.
Under 30 and feeling spontaneous? From four hours before the start you can book sprint tickets for 18 euros in the Grote Zaal or 11 euros in the Kleine Zaal.
Which concerts make a good date?
From an intimate chamber music concert in the Kleine Zaal to a large symphonic programme in the Grote Zaal, the choice is huge all season long. Below is a selection of accessible concerts that work well as a date. Not sure which one to pick? The Concert matchmaker will help you choose.
Good to know before you book
What does it cost?
Prices vary per concert and are listed in the calendar. The Concertgebouw charges 5 euros in transaction costs per order. Choose e-tickets and nothing else is added; if you would like paper tickets sent to you, that is 1.50 euros extra per order. Under 30? Sprint tickets start at 11 euros.
What time will it finish?
Every concert page lists an estimated end time, so you can plan the rest of your evening around it. The hall doors usually open 40 minutes before the start, which leaves plenty of time for a drink first.
Is there an interval?
This is listed for each concert. At concerts without an interval you get a drink on arrival, usually already included in the ticket price.
What should I wear?
Whatever you like. The Concertgebouw has no dress code, so wear what makes you feel comfortable. If a concert does have a dress code by exception, it is mentioned with that concert.
Where can we eat beforehand?
At Restaurant LIER or Café Viotta, both inside the building. See Food & Drinks.
How do I get there?
The Concertgebouw is on Museumplein, at Concertgebouwplein 10. Tram and metro stop close by, and if you come by car there are discounts at ParkBee, Q-Park and the P+R. See Getting there.
More questions are answered in the FAQ.
An evening to remember
A concert at The Concertgebouw is no ordinary night out. It is the atmosphere as you walk in, the moment the orchestra begins, the silence in the hall before the first note. Bring someone you want to show something special, or let yourself be surprised.