Benjamin Stanford (aka Dub FX) on Jazz Café Alto, Amsterdam

I was wandering around aimlessly – and high, like most tourists here – when I found Jazz Café Alto. I heard a muted trumpet coming from inside a small dark bar and, to my surprise, the place was packed with locals. At the end of the narrow room, a swinging four-piece ensemble was playing an awesome jazz version of the Flintstones theme. I’m very picky about jazz bars but this place has never failed me. I’ve been six times and there’s always been a full house, and live music playing until 4am. Anyone with a passion for live improvisational music would enjoy it.

In 2011, I brought a group of friends here: the place was packed but there were incredible samba rhythms coming from the back of the room. The music is loud enough for dancing but never so loud that you can’t talk to the person next to you. We must have been there drinking cocktails and dancing for hours.