Hotel Arena

Another multi-purpose venue, these beautiful buildings were once an orphanage, before changing into a youth hostel. From there, it was only a short step to becoming a trendy hotel, bar and restaurant. Big city folk, used to long treks, will laugh at its accessibility, but Amsterdammers tend to forego the small detour eastwards, making it hard for the Arena to truly kick clubbing butt - monthlies like Salsa Lounge, with its sweltering Latin bias, and '80s Verantwoord are the exceptions.