Amsterdam Nightlife

After the quiet early evening hours, Amsterdam's streets and squares get again very busy at night.

Around Leidseplein you will find the Stadsschouwburg (City theatre) and other theatres, lots of cafes, restaurants, cinemas, the casino, the Lido theatre with live entertainment and the famed cultural and music centers, Sugar Factory, Paradiso and Melkweg offering a varied music program: rock, pop, dance, rap and world music, including big-name bands.

Sugar Factory in Amsterdam

Often seen as the poor cousin to the internationally popular and prominent venues of Paradiso and Melkweg, Sugarfactory is in fact one of the less-obvious gems to be found near the Leidseplein nightlife area. With more of an artistic bent than most other venues in Amsterdam, Sugarfactory sees itself as a night theatre, blending nightlife, performance and art.

While it may not attract the same internationally famous artists as the bigger venues, Sugarfactory makes up for it by playing host to the best home-grown talent that Amsterdam has to offer as well as drawing more artistic performers from the surrounding countries. Exhibitions are regularly held here, so check the website to see what artistic experience is currently available.

Agenda

In addition to exhibitions, Sugarfactory hosts a number of regular club nights. On Monday nights, Kuma presents a selection of DJs with music ranging from disco to house. Techno Tuesdays are pretty self-explanatory, with banging techno tunes on offer every week for those who want to dance the night away. Free entrance makes this a popular Tuesday choice. Night Shift on Wednesdays is a little softer, with hip-hop and house music pouring from the speakers. Wicked Jazz Sounds on Sundays takes the atmosphere to an even mellower place, ideal for rounding off the weekend. Sugarfactory also hosts live acts, although less frequently than the other Leidesplein venues. Check the venue’s website to catch some lesser-known acts that may just take you by surprise.

One notable feature of Sugarfactory is that it can be hired for private events. The reatively small size makes this possible for regular people to hire, but Sugarfactory is still a theatre and nightclub, perfect to make a birthday or bachelor party something to remember.

Opening Hours and Entrance Fees

As befits such a staple of Amsterdam nightlife, Sugarfactory does not usually open its doors until close to midnight, and the party goes on until 05:00 in the morning. Live bands usually start earlier, finishing up around 23:00 when the club gets ready to open its doors for the late night dance crowd.

Ticket prices vary depending on the event. Regular events range from EUR 3 for Kuma, up to EUR 9.50 for Wicked Jazz sounds. For live acts, be sure to check the website before booking. Sugarfactory does not charge a membership fee on top of ticket prices, so you can be certain in advance what entrance will cost. In general, a ticket to a Sugarfactory event will cost less than other Leidseplein venues, as the acts are less internationally known.

Sugar Factory in Amsterdam
Lijnbaansgracht 238
1017 PH   Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Paradiso in Amsterdam

This former church building a short distance from the busy Leidseplein nightlife centre plays host to one of the most popular alternative music venues and nightclubs in Amsterdam. Paradiso has stood in this spot since 1968, when the 'Cosmic Relaxation Center Paradiso' opened its doors. Originally started as a collective of creatives, over the years the music scene took hold here and now Paradiso Amsterdam regularly offers concerts from world famous international bands as well as smaller gigs from indie bands and local artists.

For a high profile alternative music concert in Amsterdam, the main hall of Paradiso is very well suited. The cavernous interior has a capacity of 1500 people, and international acts such as Queens of the Stone Age and the White Stripes often pack it to bursting. Needless to say, the fact that the room used to be a church hall means that, not only is the interior suitably impressive but the acoustics are excellent too. Upstairs, the small hall is Paradiso's secondary concert venue for smaller acts and emerging artists. The capacity here is only 250, so be sure to book your tickets on time.

Agenda

As well as concerts by large international acts, Paradiso is one of the most well loved Amsterdam clubs. DJs host many different music nights here, with the offering changing regularly and constantly updated on the venue's website.Regular nights take place here too, most popularly Noodlanding! (Emergency Landing) on Thursday nights that offers rock, alternative and pop hits. While Noodlanding! Is rocking the upper floors, Dondergrondse (Thunder Ground) takes place in Paradiso’s basement and offers the latest indie gems.

Every year, a number of festivals take root in the main hall of Paradiso among other locations, and Amsterdammers flock to the London's Calling Britpop festival or the more electronic Five Days Off. Recently, Paradiso has also begun hosting events in its sister club Paradiso Noord, which can be found across the Ij near the Eye Film Institute. Simply hop on a free ferry behind Central Station to get there. Be sure to check the club’s agenda and make sure you know which Paradiso is hosting the event you want to attend.

Opening Hours and Entrance Fees

Ticket prices vary depending on the show, so when planning a concert in Amsterdam, be sure to check the cost first. Tickets for all concerts, gigs and events can be bought online from the Paradiso website and printed out. A good tip is to always buy from the venue's website and not the band's, as it is not always guaranteed that the venue will recognise tickets from other sources. A small membership fee is compulsory for entrance to this Amsterdam club and can be paid for in advance or when you arrive. In general, doors open about half an hour before shows begin, but for big name gigs a queue lining the block outside Paradiso is not unusual, so be prepared to show up a little early to get a good spot.

Paradiso in Amsterdam
Weteringschans 6-8
1017 SG   Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Melkweg in Amsterdam

Melkweg is perhaps the most well known Amsterdam club and music venue. The large building is former milking factory, giving the venue its name, which means The Milky Way in English. Melkweg is operated by a not for profit organisation of artists under the same name and has been since the group discovered the abandoned dairy factory in 1970.

The large, sprawling building can be found just off the popular Leidseplein nightlife hub and with five rooms often hosting different events, is one of the most diverse nightclubs in Amsterdam in terms of its offering. As well as a nightclub and music venue, Melkweg's various rooms often play host to theatrical performances, dance productions, movies, media art installations and photography exhibitions. Many exhibitions are displayed in the Melkweg Café at the back of the venue, while movie screenings take place in the cosy, attic housed cinema screen at the top of the building.

Agenda

This is primarily an Amsterdam club and venue, however, and this is what keeps the crowds coming back. Every week there are guaranteed to be a number of music events taking place in Melkweg, with everyone from internationally famous DJs to popular Dutch hip hop artists taking to the club's various stages. Hugely famous international acts also play here regularly, it being one of the most high profile venues in the city. For details of upcoming concerts, check the agenda at www.melkweg.nl.

If catching a concert seems a bit out of your price range, or if there is just nobody you would like to see playing, then paying a visit to one of Melkweg's club nights might be the thing to do. A number of recurring nights are held here by collectives based outside of the club such as the international, semi-regular Kill All Hipsters party that happens here when it is in town. Every Saturday, Melkweg plays host to Voyage and its attendant devotees of R&B, UK garage and soulful house music. The size and scope of these events help to keep Melkweg an essential part of Amsterdam nightlife.

Opening Hours and Entrance Fees

Melkweg is one of the few late opening clubs in Amsterdam, often remaining busy up to 5am. This is unusual in Amsterdam, where most clubs have to close up by 3am on the weekends at the latest, and helps explain another reason why the club is so popular with late night revellers. Opening hours for specific events such as movie screenings and concerts can vary, so be sure to check the details on the website or your ticket to know when to arrive.

One thing that often takes visitors by surprise is the fact that, on top of the regular entrance fee stated on posters or at the door, to enter Melkweg you must also buy a membership to the club. This membership fee is an additional EUR 3.50 on top of the ticket price, but it is valid for a month so if you have already been recently, be sure to bring you temporary membership card to avoid the fee. Another option is to buy the annual membership card. This is more suited to those living in the city and gives discounted entrance to many events as well as streamlining the membership process. Tickets to all events can be purchased via the Melkweg website as can membership tickets for the month or year.

Just opposite Melkweg is another dance club, the Sugar Factory, and not far from Leidseplein is club Paradiso.

Melkweg in Amsterdam
Lijbaansgracht 234 A
1017 PH   Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 5318181
Homepage: www.melkweg.nl

Source:http://www.amsterdam.info/nightlife/