Must-see entertainment in Amsterdam

  • Concertgebouw

    Amsterdam

    The Concert Hall was built in 1888 by AL van Gendt, who managed to engineer its near-perfect acoustics. Bernard Haitink, former conductor of the Royal…

  • Pathé Tuschinskitheater

    Southern Canal Ring

    This fantastical cinema, with a facade that's a prime example of the Amsterdam School of architecture, is worth visiting for its sumptuous art deco…

  • Theater Amsterdam

    Jordaan & the West

    Surrounded by the construction of docklands-turned-neighbourhood Houthavens, this gleaming theatre has a glass facade providing views over the IJ River…

  • Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ

    Amsterdam

    A dramatic glass-and-steel box on the IJ waterfront, this multidisciplinary performing-arts venue has a state-of-the-art main hall with flexible stage…

  • Muziektheater

    Amsterdam

    The Muziektheater is home to the Netherlands Opera and the National Ballet, with some spectacular performances. Big-name performers and international…

  • Bitterzoet

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Always full, always changing, this venue with a capacity of just 350 people is one of the friendliest places in town, with a diverse crowd. Music …

  • See bands, djs and performances at former-squat OT301

    OT301

    Amsterdam

    Street art–slathered ex-squat OT301, in the former Netherlands Film Academy, hosts an eclectic roster of bands, DJs and theatre performances.

  • Occii is a former squat turned local music venue

    OCCII

    Amsterdam

    Once a squat, OCCII maintains its alternative credentials, and this is a spot to get into the local scene and see underground Amsterdam bands.

  • World films are shown at the attractive Rialto cinema, Amsterdam

    Rialto Cinema

    De Pijp

    Opened in 1920, this art deco cinema near Sarphatipark shows eclectic art-house fare from around the world (foreign films have Dutch subtitles). Tickets…

  • Catch a the latest releases or an art house production at Filmhallen, Amsterdam

    Filmhallen

    Amsterdam

    Art-house films and new mainstream releases run in both Dutch and English at this cinema inside De Hallen; look for the vintage filmmaking equipment out…

  • Koninklijk Theater Carré

    Southern Canal Ring

    The Carré family started their career with a horse act at the annual fair, progressing to this circus theatre in 1887. The classical facade is richly…

  • Tolhuistuin

    Amsterdam Noord

    In what was the Shell workers' canteen for 70 years from 1941, the nifty Tolhuistuin arts centre hosts African dance troupes, spoken word, visual art and…

  • Internationaal Theater Amsterdam

    Southern Canal Ring

    When this theatre with the grand balcony arcade was completed in 1894, public criticism of the design was so fierce that the exterior decorations were…

  • Boom Chicago

    Jordaan & the West

    Boom Chicago stages seriously funny improv-style comedy shows in English that make fun of Dutch culture, American culture and everything that gets in the…

  • Kriterion

    Amsterdam

    Kriterion was originally a student organisation involved in hiding and protecting Jews from the Nazis during WWII. In 1945 the group opened this cinema to…

  • Tobacco Theater

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    A 1900-built tobacco auction house now contains this architecturally designed theatre, which stages dinner-and-cabaret shows in English, Dutch and German,…

  • Bourbon Street Jazz & Blues Club

    Southern Canal Ring

    This intimate venue has a full and eclectic weekly music programme. Take part in open jam sessions on Mondays, or come by on Tuesdays for soul and reggae…

  • Paradiso

    Southern Canal Ring

    In 1968 a beautiful old church turned into the 'Cosmic Relaxation Center Paradiso'. Today, the vibe is less hippy than funked-up odyssey, with big all…

  • Frascati

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    This experimental theatre is a draw for young Dutch directors, choreographers and producers. Expect multicultural dance and music performances, as well as…

  • Melkweg

    Southern Canal Ring

    In a former dairy, the nonprofit 'Milky Way' offers a dazzling galaxy of diverse gigs, featuring both DJs and live bands. One night it's electronica, the…

  • Last Minute Ticket Shop

    Amsterdam

    Not sure how to spend the evening? The Last Minute Ticket Shop sells same-day, half-price tickets for performances, including comedy, dance, concerts and…

  • FC Hyena

    Amsterdam Noord

    Join Amsterdam's hip crowd sipping natural wine on the waterfront terrace and dining on sophisticated snacks cooked in the wood-fired oven, before…

  • Studio K

    Amsterdam

    This hip Oost arts centre always has something going on, with a cinema, a nightclub, a stage for bands and a theatre. There's also an eclectic restaurant,…

  • Vondelbunker

    Amsterdam

    An alternative surprise lying beneath the 1e Constantjin Huygensstraat bridge: the Vondelbunker. This hidden-away space is a fallout shelter dating from…

  • Amsterdams Marionetten Theater

    Amsterdam

    An enchanting enterprise that seems to exist in another era, this marionette theatre presents fairy tales and Mozart operas, such as The Magic Flute, in a…

  • De Ruimte

    Amsterdam Noord

    This arts centre and cafe hosts a changing roster of events from jazz and poetry to experimental electronica. Friday nights usually offer live music you…

  • Movies

    Jordaan & the West

    Amsterdam's oldest cinema, dating from 1912, is a gezellig (cosy) gem screening indie films alongside mainstream flicks. Tickets are €1 cheaper online…

  • De Nieuwe Anita

    Jordaan & the West

    This living-room venue expanded for noise rockers has a great café (pub). In the back, behind the bookcase-concealed door, the main room has a stage and…

  • Comedy Café

    Jordaan & the West

    Comedy acts perform every night of the week at this dockside venue. Open mic nights in English take place on Wednesday; shows in Dutch typically take…

  • Bimhuis

    Amsterdam

    On the IJ riverbank, Bimhuis is the Netherlands' most important jazz venue. Its stylish digs are at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ and it draws international…

  • Jazz Café Alto

    Southern Canal Ring

    This is an intimate, atmospheric bruin café–style venue for serious jazz and (occasionally) blues. There are live gigs nightly. Doors open at 9pm, but…

  • Mezrab – House of Stories

    Amsterdam

    This wonderfully eclectic harbourside cultural centre hosts storytelling sessions in English and Dutch, Iranian rock bands, hip-swinging Latin American…

  • De Brakke Grond

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    De Brakke Grond sponsors a fantastic array of music, experimental video, modern dance and exciting young theatre at its nifty performance hall in the…

  • Nooderkerkconcerten

    Jordaan & the West

    Classical concerts, especially Bach, take place in the Noorderkerk most Saturday afternoons; check the agenda and book online. Most performances last…

  • Openluchttheater

    Amsterdam

    The Vondelpark's marvellous open-air theatre hosts free concerts in summer, with a laid-back, festival feel. The program includes world music, dance,…

  • Maloe Melo

    Jordaan & the West

    This is the freewheeling, fun-loving altar of Amsterdam's tiny blues scene. Music ranges from funk and soul to Texas blues and rockabilly. The cover…

  • Pacific

    Jordaan & the West

    Pacific is home to live music, DJ sets and plenty of rock-and-roll spirit to go along with the potent drinks and hearty food. The sprawling terrace is…

  • The Arena Stadium, a massive, high-tech complex which seats 52,000 people, on Arena Boulevard.

    Johan Cruijff ArenA

    Amsterdam

    This high-tech complex (formerly Amsterdam ArenA) with a retractable roof is the home of four-time European champions Ajax, the Netherlands' most famous…

  • Felix Meritis

    Western Canal Ring

    Amsterdam's centre for arts, culture and science is renowned for staging innovative modern theatre, music and dance, as well as talks on politics,…

  • Casa Rosso

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    It might be stretching it to describe a live sex show as 'classy', but this theatre is clean and comfortable and always packed with couples and hen…

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