Bitterzoet
Centrum
An adventurous and diverse program of entertainment includes DJs, live bands, and even theater. When it comes to music, hip-hop, funk, rock, ska, and soul share the spotlight.
4 Best Nightlife in Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Beyond the smoke and red-lighted windows, Amsterdam is a city teeming with music, dance, theater, and art, which has given it the epithet "nightlife capital of the world." Think outside the box—even outside the Grachtengordel—and you'll be amazed at what this city that (almost) never sleeps has to offer.
Many people know that The Night Watch is the name of Rembrandt’s most famous painting, but not everyone remembers that, back in the early 2000s, it was also the nickname of a bunch of "Night Mayors." This group of cultural leaders saw their role as fighters against the frumpiness that had cast a shadow over Amsterdam’s night scene since the city fathers cleared away the "squats"—the deserted buildings that were the settings for city’s wildest nighttime events and raves. Now, 15 years later, Amsterdam has happily reclaimed its reputation as a true nightlife capital. The city is a must-stop on the international DJ circuit, and new pop-up clubs and dance venues, plus a plethora of homegrown festivals, keep all walks of life shaking until the wee hours of the morning. The city is rich with inspired folk who are willing to organize a video-arts festival in a cruise-ship terminal, a gentle Bach recital on a canal, an arts festival in an abandoned factory, a house party in a football stadium, or some heart-stopping spectacle in a park. So get ready to savor Amsterdam’s giant cultural wallop through its numerous venues—from former churches and industrial monuments to the acoustical supremacy of the legendary hall of the Concertgebouw.
Club Up
Leidseplein
An intimate little shoebox of a venue shares some of its amenities with members-only artists' society De Kring. As a result, arty house parties and banging electro nights attract a hip crowd that's sometimes sprinkled with puzzled tourists in search of a dive bar.
Jimmy Woo's
Leidseplein
Thursday through Sunday, this is probably the hottest club in town for the rich and famous and their wannabes. The urban grooves are funky, and the sound system not too shabby.
Recommended Fodor's Video
Ma'dam
Amsterdam-Noord
Located in A'DAM, the landmark tower across the water from Centraal Station, this eatery in the clouds turns into a nightclub later in the evening. Order from the contemporary menu and enjoy 360-degree city views. After the sun sets and the dinner crowd settles, Ma'dam transforms into a dance club; sip cocktails under the stars and take in a sparkling skyline view from 20 floors up.
