Amsterdam is renowned worldwide for its vibrant nightlife and buzzing club scene. As one of Europe’s top party destinations, the city offers seemingly endless options for dancing the night away.
From underground warehouses and converted churches to historic landmarks and modern mega-clubs, Amsterdam’s nightclubs cater to every musical taste and attract revellers from across the globe.
While the city’s nightlife is spread across several key nightlife districts like Rembrandtplein, Leidseplein, and De Wallen, some of Amsterdam’s top clubs are must-visit staples of the city’s party landscape.
To help you experience the best of Amsterdam after dark, we’ve put together this guide to the top nightclubs for dancing, drinking, and enjoying the city’s legendary party atmosphere.
1. Paradiso
Opened: 1968
Music: Rock, indie, pop, electronic
Address: Weteringschans 6, 1017 SG Amsterdam
No list of Amsterdam’s best nightclubs is complete without the iconic Paradiso. Housed in a converted church dating back to the 19th century, Paradiso has been the beating heart of Amsterdam’s music scene since the 1960s.
With two halls, Paradiso hosts both intimate gigs and parties for over 1,500 people. The club’s booking policy emphasizes up-and-coming Dutch acts alongside international indie and electronic music. Past performers include Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Nirvana, and Daft Punk.
Beyond the music, Paradiso’s unique cathedral architecture with arched ceilings and balcony viewing platforms make it one of Europe’s most visually impressive venues. Whether you’re catching a gig or dancing into the night, Paradiso’s electric atmosphere is not to be missed.
2. Melkweg
Opened: 1970
Music: Electronic, hip hop, indie, pop
Address: Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 1017 PH Amsterdam
Melkweg (Milky Way) is a vibrant multifunctional venue housed in an old milk factory in the heart of Amsterdam. Since the 1970s, Melkweg has nurtured Amsterdam’s creative scene with concerts, club nights, exhibitions, and more across its various halls.
Melkweg’s vibrant club, MAX, occupies a spacious renovated industrial hall and hosts leading DJs and dance acts across house, techno, disco, hip hop, and more. Recent bookings include The Chemical Brothers, Kaytranada, and Amelie Lens.
Thanks to an amazing sound system and laser lighting rig, partying at MAX takes the Melkweg clubbing experience into another galaxy. Melkweg remains one of Amsterdam’s most popular clubs for both locals and tourists.
3. De School
Opened: 2015
Music: House, techno, experimental Address: Doctor Jan van Breemenstraat 1, 1056 AB Amsterdam
One of Amsterdam’s newest and most ambitious clubbing spaces, De School is housed in a former school containing a restaurant, exhibition space, and both an indoor and outdoor club.
While De School only opened in 2015, the club has already become renowned for its quality underground bookings and after-hours permit allowing partying from Friday night straight through until Sunday evening. Resident Advisors recently ranked it among the top 10 clubs worldwide.
De School’s dance floor features an impressive Funktion One sound system well-suited for techno, house, and experimental electronic music. The outdoor courtyard provides a unique space for daytime partying. For the full De School experience, arrive Friday evening and dance straight through the weekend.
4. Club Air
Opened: 2003
Music: House, hip hop, R&B, Top 40 Address: Amstelstraat 24, 1017 DA Amsterdam
One of Amsterdam’s slickest and most stylish clubs, Club Air’s elegant interior is housed within a converted airplane hangar near the Amstel river. The beautiful guests and upscale decor make it a prime spot for glamour and people watching.
While the music skews towards accessible house, hip hop, R&B, and pop, the real attraction is the beautiful crowd and posh atmosphere. Club Air also features an outdoor terrace and lounge ideal for enjoying a cocktail on warm evenings.
If you’re looking to get past the velvet rope and experience Amsterdam clubbing at its most scene-y, put on your best outfit and make a beeline for Club Air.
5. Escape
Opened: 1986
Music: House, techno, hip hop, R&B
Address: Rembrandtplein 11, 1017 CT Amsterdam
A pioneer of Amsterdam nightlife since the 1980s, Escape remains an essential clubbing destination thanks to its killer sound system and party-centric atmosphere.
While Escape features two dance floors spinning house, techno, hip hop, and R&B, the main draw is partying amidst the beautiful people who pack Escape’s dance floors on the weekends. Stellar resident and guest DJs keep the good vibes flowing all night long.
Escape may not be as trendy as some newer Amsterdam venues, but its prime location on Rembrandtplein and track record for great parties make it a can’t miss on the Amsterdam club circuit.
6. Sugar Factory
Opened: 1998
Music: Rock, indie, pop, electronic Address: Lijnbaansgracht 238, 1017 PH Amsterdam
Sugar Factory exploded onto Amsterdam’s music scene in the late 90s, quickly becoming renowned for bringing cutting-edge live acts to the city. Although Sugar Factory hosts DJ nights, the emphasis remains on live bands and eclectic bookings spanning rock, pop, indie, punk, and more.
The mid-sized music hall fits around 600 people, making it an ideal venue for more intimate shows. Sugar Factory occupies part of the same building as Melkweg, benefiting from the same central location and great acoustics.
For a diverse lineup of live music within a great club space, Sugar Factory offers something unique amidst Amsterdam’s techno-heavy nightlife landscape.
7. Jimmy Woo
Opened: 1985
Music: Hip hop, R&B, Top 40 Address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 18, 1017 RC Amsterdam
In a city full of small underground clubs, Jimmy Woo provides a taste of the upscale mega-club experience. This massive venue in the heart of Leidseplein features posh decor, an extensive cocktail menu, and mainstream chart hits.
While EDM and Top 40 dominates the soundtrack, Jimmy Woo also draws major hip hop and R&B artists like Drake. Whatever the genre, the music is loud and the drinks are strong, fueling a raucous party atmosphere.
For table service, bottle service, or just dancing to pop hits amongst the beautiful people, Jimmy Woo is Amsterdam’s see-and-be-seen clubbing hotspot.
8. Thuishaven
Opened: 2014
Music: House, techno Address: Engelenburg 50, 1014 AG Amsterdam
For a taste of Amsterdam’s renowned underground clubbing, Thuishaven is a must-visit. Literally located under a bridge along the Amstel river, this graffiti-covered club is the epitome of gritty and grimy techno hedonism.
While rundown in appearance, Thuishaven boasts an impressive sound system and top-notch resident DJs spinning hard and hypnotic techno into the early morning hours. After starting around 2-3 AM, parties at Thuishaven easily last past sunrise.
Thuishaven stays true to the raw, unpretentious vibe of Amsterdam’s early clubbing scene. Party-goers drawn to no frills underground techno will feel right at home.
9. Club NL
Opened: 2013
Music: Techno, house Address: Rembrandtplein 17, 1017 CT Amsterdam
Located in the heart of Rembrandtplein, Club NL spans two floors and multiple rooms hosting local and international DJs. The music skews towards house and techno, but touches on disco and underground electronic sounds.
While the venue lacks some character, Club NL makes up for it with quality bookings and a prime location in the thick of the action. The club attracts a young, stylish crowd and hosts renowned parties and festivals like Awakenings.
For those craving four-to-the-floor beats in the center of Amsterdam’s nightlife district, Club NL consistently delivers quality electronic music alongside the beautiful people.
Conclusion
World-famous for its open culture and wild nightlife, Amsterdam offers seemingly endless options when it comes to clubbing. From grungy underground warehouses to posh cocktail lounges, Amsterdam’s nightlife diversity befits its reputation as a creative hub and party capital.
While the city offers no shortage of late nights, our guide profiles 10 of the top nightclubs in Amsterdam spanning underground sounds, mainstream hits, live music, and more. Ranging from historic venues like Paradiso to modern hot spots like De School, we’ve covered some of the essential spots for experiencing Amsterdam after dark.
So next time you’re exploring Amsterdam’s countless cultural attractions, make sure to experience the city’s other artistic passion – top-class techno, house, hip hop, and everything after hours. Walking home as the sun rises over the canals is one of Amsterdam’s greatest pleasures.