Until recently, the Zeedijk was known as the Black Hole of Amsterdam (because of a high concentratiob of drug users). The Zeedijk is the original dam built by struggling fishermen and farmers in 1380 to keep the sea at bay. The area quickly became a central spot for entertaining sailors, a tradition which has continued into modern times. The Zeedijk now hosts a number of small clubs and cafes where world-class jazz musicians come to perform.
