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…
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…
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…
Rotterdam
Named after American jazz saxophonist Charlie 'Bird' Parker, Bird is the city's temple to jazz but also programs soul, hip-hop, funk and electronica…
Den Haag
Call it a club, a temple to live music or just a great place to hang out, Paard is a Den Haag institution. The program of live music is eclectic –…
Maastricht
Great for offbeat and classic films but also worth visiting for its former powerstation setting, tempting waterside bar-terrace and quirky, post …
Den Haag
This world-famous dance company has two main components: NDT1, the main company, and NDT2, a junior training division. The main company performs regularly…
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…
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…
Amsterdam
The Muziektheater is home to the Netherlands Opera and the National Ballet, with some spectacular performances. Big-name performers and international…
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 …
Amsterdam
Street art–slathered ex-squat OT301, in the former Netherlands Film Academy, hosts an eclectic roster of bands, DJs and theatre performances.
Rotterdam
Since the ribbon was cut in 1909, this legendary Rotterdam cinema has had bit-part roles as a music venue, a theatre and even as a hospital. Renovated in…
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.
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…
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…
Rotterdam
Hosting bands from all genres, Annabel is a choice midsized live-music venue that also hosts regular dance nights. Acts range from hip-hop to pop to…
Eindhoven
Long topping the Dutch football scene, this club's famous initials PSV stand for Philips Sport Vereniging: yes THAT Philips again. There's a fan museum…
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…
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…
Eindhoven
Named for its numberless Philipspilih clock, the starkly unbeautified Klokgebouw is the entertainment nerve-centre of Strijp-S (www.strijp-s.nl),…
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…
Utrecht
Ensconced in a former police station in Amsterdamse School style, this is an art-film centre where local cinephiles present each movie (in Dutch) in the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Noord Brabant
Do peep inside this huge complex that colourfully houses one of the Netherlands' biggest theatres (plus cinema and hip cafe space) in a sweep of 21st…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Maastricht
The city's main central theatre offers a wide range of shows and concerts in a building whose 1805 facade was built as the house of General Dibbets, the…
Utrecht
Wrapped around Utrecht's original 1970s symphony hall, this 45m-tall, five-venue entertainment centre caters for virtually any musical taste from…
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…
Haarlem
Opened in 1918, Haarlem's Stadsschouwburg stages ballet and modern dance, cabaret, comedy and theatre (including some productions in English). The…
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…