The noise level measured at the neighbours was 39.9 dB(A), which was 4.9 dB(A) above the city standard. FYI, we've provided references from the Dutch central government: 30 dB(A) is whisper, and 40 dB(A) is background noise in a normal living room.

Sign our petition and help us change the mind of the municipality of Amsterdam. Thank you in advance for your help! Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for more information.

We, the customers, employees, musicians, local residents of the Cotton Club, as well as jazz enthusiasts worldwide that have frequently visited the Cotton Club or intend to,

have come to the conclusion that:

1. Given the long tradition of multiple decades of live jazz on Saturdays at the Cotton Club, it is unjustified that a loner who resides in the centre of the city can ruin the cultural joy of so many people, whether intended or not;
2. This loner can put the employment of dozens of fellow humans at risk, whether intended or not;
3. It is unjustified that this loner can exert such influence, whether intended or not, on how this illustrious café with its long tradition of live jazz can be run in the future;
4. An alternative operation at this location in the city is evident - the umpteenth typical tourist trap or Nutella store;
5. The Cotton Club café and its rich history of live jazz heritage is cultural heritage;
6. the current mode of operation of the Cotton Club should be preserved, and that the new owner is open to suggestions how to make this café ready to comply with operational standards and legislation of 2024 and beyond - we will provide concrete proposals in this respect later, and make sure to involve all those concerned, including the neighbours, neighbourhood, and the municipality of Amsterdam;

and request that:

The municipality of Amsterdam will reconsider its decision regarding the Cotton Club, with due regard for all those involved, instead of just one neighbour.

We would like to include you as signatories of this petition in our defence against the intended decision to prohibit live music at the Cotton Club in the future. Thank you for your support!

PS. Let it be clear that we are not targeting the aforementioned neighbour personally, despite the strong wording of our petition. After many previous attempts, we have finally managed to contact the complaining neighbour, that's the first good news! We are looking for a common solution that allows for everyone to be heard, the neighbour, the neighbourhood, the Cotton Club, and the government.

En bij elkaar is dat voor de gemeentenorm net te veel.

De Gemeente hanteert de norm van 35dB(A) als limiet van normaal en acceptabel achtergrond geluidsniveau in een woonkamer.

Het Rijk ziet dat niveau dus anders en beoordeeld 40 dB(A) als acceptabel achtergrondsniveau in een woonkamer, zoals u kunt zien in de grafiek op de Homepage van hun voorlichtingspagina.

Om maar aan te geven hoe marginaal de volumes in werkelijkheid zijn, waar we het hier over hebben. Het gaat over 1x per week akoestische (onversterkte) jazz in een periode van 3 uur van 16:30 tot 19:30 op de zaterdag namiddag. Na 19:00 hanteert de gemeente een andere correctie formule en rekent er 10 dB(A) bij de oorspronkelijke meting van 33,6 dB(A).