Nightclubs in Amsterdam

The Dutch aren't really dancers. Instead, they prefer to crowd around the bar or on the dance floor, drinking and talking (or at least trying to). However, since this is a national past-time, Amsterdam is full of nightclubs, many of which are open after hours. The three most famous clubs are the Paradiso, Melkweg, and Sugar Factory - all offering regular dance nights and special concerts. Many of Amsterdam's nightclubs also have interesting histories because of their earlier incarnations: the Melkweg was a milk factory, while Paradiso and Hotel Arena were both churches.

But there are hundreds more, many boasting beautiful interiors and a variety of musical styles. As with most cities, the further you travel from the city center the more locals and authentic clubs you'll find. This authenticity may be at the expense of squeaky clean decor but you'll have a better shot at finding your type of music.

A helpful tip: club nights in Amsterdam start rather late, often peaking around 2am, and many clubs don't even open their doors before midnight. However, if you show up late many clubs introduce a one in, one out policy and you risk standing in line for a long time. It's difficult to find the sweet spot, but if you prefer spending an hour in an empty club waiting for it to fill rather than an hour standing in line, 12.30am is the ideal time to arrive.

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