Paradiso

Paradiso is one of the best-known music venues in Europe, and a gig here is one of the classic Amsterdam nights out. The building was constructed in 1879 and 1880 as a meeting hall for the Vrije Gemeente, a liberal religious congregation, which left in 1965. Two years later it was squatted by young music fans, and on 30 March 1968 it opened as a youth entertainment centre, originally called the Cosmisch Ontspanningscentrum Paradiso. Its church origins earned it the nickname the pop temple.

The main hall holds around 1,500 people and keeps much of its original character, with balconies wrapping around the room and large stained-glass windows behind the stage. Upstairs, a smaller hall holds about 250 and is used for emerging acts and intimate shows. Over the decades the stage has hosted an extraordinary list of performers, including the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Prince, Nirvana, U2, Metallica, Lady Gaga, Adele and Kanye West, alongside countless Dutch and international bands at the start of their careers.

The programme today covers rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic music and more, with concerts most evenings and club nights that run late at weekends. Paradiso also programmes events at other locations in the city, so check where your show is taking place. Some events require a membership, which can be bought online or at the door for a small fee.

The venue suits music fans of all ages, though club nights are generally for adults. Buy tickets in advance for well-known acts, as many shows sell out, and check the programme page for the most up-to-date door times. Payment inside is by debit card, credit card or phone; the venue lists card and contactless methods. Instead of a staffed cloakroom, lockers are available for the length of your visit and can be shared with friends. Accessibility differs from hall to hall, so check the venue's accessibility page before you go.

Paradiso stands on the Weteringschans at the edge of Leidseplein, beside the Stadsschouwburg theatre district and a few minutes' walk from the Melkweg. Trams stop at Leidseplein, and the Rijksmuseum is about ten minutes away on foot. The bars and restaurants around Leidseplein are close by for food before the show or a drink afterwards.