Kashmir lounge

Kashmir Lounge sits in the Old West of Amsterdam, on Jan Pieter Heijestraat, in a part of the city that is less touristy than the centre. René Wouda opened it on 6 December 1997, at a time when, by the venue's own account, the neighbourhood badly needed a place to relax with a beer or a smoke and some good music. It started as a DJ café and coffeeshop, and it counts among the first venues in the Netherlands to combine the two. The adjacent Kashmir Café handles the coffeeshop side, which keeps the lounge itself focused on music and hanging out.

The programme revolves around DJs. Every night brings a different line up, playing an eclectic mix rather than a single genre, and the venue has long documented its sets through its own online radio and mix archive under the name Radio Kashmir Lounge Amsterdam. Over the years the lounge has also added live music, often from local acts, along with themed events. During the day the mood is quieter, with laid back tunes, tea or coffee, and an outdoor terrace where people sit and watch the street.

The room works as a neighbourhood gathering place as much as a nightlife address, drawing residents alongside visitors who make their way out west. Comfortable seating and a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere are what reviewers mention most. In 2012 the venue was named number one DJ café in Amsterdam by DJ Mag, a title it still claims. For anyone looking for DJ nights or small scale live shows in a casual setting outside the busiest parts of town, it is one of the longer established options in Amsterdam.