De Rode Hoed

Occupying three glorious 17th-century canal houses – which once sheltered the Vrijburg, the largest clandestine church in the Netherlands – this cultural centre offers lectures, sometimes in English, by world-renowned authors and debates on the topics of the day, as well as concerts; check the agenda online. The centre was named for the former milliner located here (spot the identifying tile on the facade). Cards only, no cash.