Amsterdam Nightlife: The ultimate party guide

Visiting Amsterdam and not going out at least once is like crossing the Dutch border without having tasted a single bitterballen. As a capital city, Amsterdam really has a lot to offer! Our club scene is characterised by alternative venues, a large selection of genres and great sound systems. Few cities are also so good at converting old or unused cultural centres into nightclubs. A club in an old school, hidden underground or in a loft where you can overlook the entire city? Amsterdam night life will give you all of that and more…

If you want to go out in Amsterdam, you should also know that the city is known for its openness and inclusivity. Due to its multicultural character, Amsterdam stands for versatility and generally welcomes all visitors regardless of age, gender, origin, religion or sexual preference. Very few clubs have a specific dress code, so you can confidently turn up in whatever outfit makes you feel like yourself. Please note: Jogging bottoms in the club are the only no-go that will almost certainly deny you entry!

Amsterdam’s club scene is so big that it’s impossible to list all the options. Party animals and night owls take note: We have put together a selection of the best (electronic) addresses for your party night. Don’t worry, there’s also something for larger groups and friends with very electric tastes 😉 Discover the Amsterdam nightlife!

1) Classics, charts and guilty pleasures

We all have a love-hate relationship with Tayo Cruz, David Guetta and Mariah Carey. Guilty pleasures have their name for a reason, but are part of every good party night from time to time. If you are looking for well-known songs and songs to bop along to, you will of course also find them in Amsterdam. Many of the clubs with this music are also extremely tourist-friendly and right in the city centre, which of course makes Amsterdams nightlife more accessible. If you can’t listen to “Dancing in the Moonlight” either, but find yourself dancing to it every time, then these clubs are for you! 🕺

Escape

If you google where to party in Amsterdam, you can’t miss Escape . As one of the largest clubs in the city centre, you’ll find Escape right on our party mile, Rembrandtplein. On several floors, you can hear everything from classics to pop, hip-hop and the odd techno night.

Insider tip: This club is worth its weight in gold, especially for large groups! Amsterdam’s bouncers may not be comparable to those at Berghain, but they still don’t usually like large groups. Escape is the best place to spend an evening together. Nevertheless, we recommend splitting up at the door and mixing the guys and girls as best you can. This will maximise your chances of partying as a group in Amsterdam.

NYX

The NYX is a little more local than the Escape and our tip for smaller groups. Vibrant parties take place here from Thursday to Sunday, which will get you going on 3 different floors. Just like at Escape, you’ll mainly find classics, pop and R&B/hip-hop. The nested club is connected by several small staircases, so you can easily get from one dance floor to the next.

Incidentally, NYX is traditionally a club of the LGBTQ+ scene where everyone is welcome – regardless of your individual sexuality or gender identity. So people with homophobia, racism or any other tendency to discriminate can turn right back around. 💫

2) Techno, techno, techno

In keeping with our current zeitgeist, Amsterdam’s biggest club scene is techno. Our beautiful capital has a world-famous electronic music scene, which means you can expect the best techno DJs in the world here. Big names that always make an appearance include Charlotte de Witte, Job Jobse, Amelie Lens, Carl Cox and Joris Voorn. Amsterdam’s unique mix of history and modernity is also strongly reflected in the cultural sector. We are masters at converting buildings with history into the hippest nightclubs in the country. You can find three of them below.

Shelter

If you love techno and want to party in Amsterdam, you can’t go past Shelter. Just like de School, you can only find the club if you know where to look. Shelter is located underground on Overhoeksplein (Amsterdam Noord, right next to A’DAM Toren) and can only be reached via a hatch in the floor. Anyone expecting stale air and old heating pipes will be very disappointed: Shelter is hard to beat when it comes to modern techno clubs. Logically enough (should I spell T.e.c.h.n.o. again?), everything is completely black and impresses with impressive lights and a coarse sound system. The Shelter is also known for welcoming tourists. So if you can’t make it to de School, or you’re travelling with 5+ people, Shelter is the place to be!

Insider tip: The LOFT is located right next to Shelter, in the A’DAM Toren (the famous observation tower with the swing on top). A very exclusive but equally unique location, which is housed directly below the viewing platform. An event doesn’t take place here every weekend, so it’s worth checking the website in advance.

Thuishaven

Whether the essence of Thuishaven should still be described as a club or rather as a permanent festival site is open to debate. One thing is certain: Thuishaven (translated: home harbour) is one of the hippest and coolest locations in the city if you want to party in Amsterdam. They are primarily known for their popular daytime events, but night owls will also find what they are looking for. Amsterdam nightlife at its finest!

Please note: The best techno DJs in the world play here, so tickets are often booked out well in advance! So check the website and decide when you want to join us in beautiful Amsterdam as soon as you have tickets.

3) Drum & Bass

One music genre that is also growing in the DACH region is drum & bass, which emerged in the 90s. Few people realise that the Netherlands is home to one of the biggest scenes in Europe. Parties used to be limited to a few select weekends a year. In the meantime, however, major labels such as Liquicity, High Tea and NOX have established themselves to such an extent that you are provided with the finest drum & bass every month. Many of the events (Liquicity, High Tea, Cheeky Monday – pssst weekly club night!) take place around Amsterdam – so it’s ideal to kill two birds with one stone while you’re there! We can only recommend our scene to all DnB lovers. In few other places will you find such an open, friendly and energetic scene as here. ❤️

And during the day?

If you want to get the most out of your trip to Amsterdam, it’s important to make the days just as eventful as the nights. Amsterdam also has an incredible amount of culture, history and delicious food to offer! Learn more about the city’s trade and secrets on a pretty city centre (bike) tour, sample the tastiest snacks on our cultural food tour or follow in the moving footsteps of Anne Frank. If the weather is bad, you can visit one of the many current exhibitions or museums and learn all about Van Gogh’s short life (including the secret of the cut-off ear!).

No matter what your personal interests are – we at Amsterdamliebe would love to accompany you through our favourite city and share our local favourites with you. See you soon in Amsterdam? ❤️