There are bistros and there are vinyl bistros. Overtone Bistro on the Overtoom falls into the second category, and that is immediately the first thing you notice when you enter: there is always music playing. During the week, it's the record player that sets the pace. On weekends it goes a step further with live music or a DJ set. Eat and listen, that's the idea here.
The menu has Hungarian roots. Lángos is on it: fried bread, a classic of Hungarian cuisine, served here as part of a series of tasting plates. It's not your average bistro offering. The dishes are smaller, meant for sharing and tasting, and pair well with the cocktails Overtone makes itself. The signature cocktail is aptly named ‘Overtones. There is a full cocktail menu, available via the website. The Sunday Brunch, featuring live music by guest artist Kirilski, has become a weekend fixture.
The space does more than provide tables. The walls of Overtone act as an exhibition space, with changing work by photographers. Currently hanging there is photography by Mario Matra, who is known for his nightlife and documentary photography. Matra is also closely involved in the concept itself, which gives the collaboration between the bistro and the photography world more depth than a loose art loan. The whole thing feels like a place where creative disciplines come together without feeling forced.
Vinyl runs continuously during the week, live music or a DJ on weekends: it's really that simple.
Overtone is open Wednesday through Sunday, five days a week. On weekdays, you can go there from three in the afternoon. The same is true on Fridays, but until an hour later. On weekends, doors open as early as noon, which is convenient for Sunday brunch. The Overtoom is easily accessible from the Baarsjes and Oud-West, and the restaurant sits in the middle of a street that has been growing in recent years. Vinyl runs continuously during the week, live music or a DJ on weekends: it's really that simple. And that's exactly why it works.