Expect live music, 1940s bunkers, 24-hour warehouse raves and a whole lot more in this notorious party city
Fittingly for a city known as being something of a party destination, there’s no end of late-night entertainment and dancing options in Amsterdam. However, the scene has undergone something of a metamorphosis of late – following several years of vocal (local) complaints and increasingly strict laws, the work of successive Night Mayors has seen clubbing receive a veneer of acceptability and greater freedom; witness the introduction of several 24-hour licenses and a more holistic approach to the granting of permits.
This has seen new venues quickly establish themselves – Shelter, or the now sadly closed De School – and existing ones cement their reputation as incubators of talent. After all, the Dutch are known for their love, and ability, with underground dance, techno, and electronica, and most places continue to push the new and the innovative for crowds always hungry to dance the night away to the latest and greatest. Whatever your vibe, these are the best clubs in Amsterdam right now.
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This guide was updated by Derek Robertson, a writer based in Amsterdam. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
What is it? An old car repair shop that transforms into a club after 10:30pm.
Why go? Situated across the IJ in the north of Amsterdam, Garage Noord is an intimate club with a non-commercial feel. It plays a diverse range of music and prides itself on its progressive environment, one that channels the history of dance as a place that welcomes anyone.
What is it? An industrial haven for ravers in an unassuming slab of the city’s Nieuw-West district. Expect a banging sound system and ‘mini parties’ that kick off in the underground smoking room.
Why go? It hosts the kind of pulsating techno that clobbers clubbers around the face and leaves them drenched in sweat from non-stop dancing. The club also has a 24-hour licence, meaning the dancing really can be non-stop. Take it from us; this is a seriously big night out. Oh, and you can even cop an ice lolly at the bar to cool down.
What is it? Melkweg (that means ‘Milky Way’ in Dutch) is an all-purpose cultural venue in Amsterdam’s Leidseplein area. Originally a sugar refinery, this space now hosts gigs, club nights, and even shows movies.
Why go there? Melkweg is a venue with multiple rooms, meaning it often hosts wildly different club nights on the same day – a far cry from the techno-first approach of many other Amsterdam venues. Whether it’s reggaeton, DnB, or a myriad of other genres, there’s bound to be something on that tickles your fancy.
What is it? A club that was taken over as a squat in 1999, 0T301 is the city’s most iconic night out. It’s now a legal venue, but hasn’t lost its rebellious vibe. Amidst it all, 0T301 has stayed true to its character (and cheap).
Why go? This is a no-judgement space, and one where you can completely let loose. But it’s also a social enterprise which is worth supporting, heavily involved with the activism and squatting scene in Amsterdam.
What is it? A hidden gem nestled in Amsterdam’s Westerpark.
Why go? What happens when you mix a radio station, pizza restaurant, and night club? That’s right, Radio Radio. One of the newer clubs in Amsterdam, Radio Radio plays a mix of modern sounds from a cutting-edge array of DJs through a beefy sound system. It’s cosy and intimate, which only adds to its charm.
What is it? NYX is known for its cracking drag and LGBTQ+ nights, but every night here is gloriously welcoming to all. Expect three floors of dancehall, Dutch hip-hop and pop tunes.
Why go? With a playlist of crowd-pleasing anthems and a friendly atmosphere, NYX is guaranteed to plant a toothy grin on your face. Plus, there’s a DJ in the open-plan bathroom – where else has that?
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What is it? After dinner, the seventh floor of this former newspaper office – now a hotel, bar and restaurant complex – is cleared of tables and transforms into one of the city’s coolest clubs.
Why go? If your dancing feet are feeling the strain, grab a cocktail and head out onto one Canvas’s terraces to enjoy panoramic views across the city. The music caters to a fashionably young, multicultural audience, entrance is free, and there are even hot tubs on the roof (though they’re not always in use).
What is it? This huge industrial warehouse way out west made its name in the early 80s and 90s. But after a period of closure, since 2014 Warehouse Elementenstraat’s four rooms have once again been bouncing to some of the best cutting-edge dance and techno music, and hosting parties such as Hyte, Welcome To The Future Indoor, and Reaktor.
Why go? Fans of London’s Printworks will recognise the vibe and aesthetics. This is one of the city’s most influential arty locations – it hosted Amsterdam’s first illegal gabber raves – and it beautifully balances intimacy with the fact that it holds 2,500 party goers; some of the bigger events here can feel like an indoor festival.
What is it? If you like a side of vintage with your night out, you’ll love this 1940s bunker. Not exactly a club, more of a live music venue and bar (and sometimes exhibition space), the Vondelbunker space was originally constructed as an atomic bomb shelter in the wake of the Second World War.
Why go? Two words; free entry. There’s an all-inclusive DIY vibe here, allowing for some truly punk nights. This is the perfect end to a very fun day in Vondelpark above.
What is it? Set in an old bus warehouse, this club strives for something different.
Why go? With a spacious courtyard and a raw inside space, Lofi is a creative oasis in the Sloterdijk area of Amsterdam. Its goal is to bring culture and music together, creating a scene that differs from polished clubs, making something more authentic and, well, lofi.
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