Paradiso

Leidseplein, Amsterdam – Housed in a former 19th-century church in the heart of Amsterdam, Paradiso is an enormous, multilevel music venue and dance club with an international reputation for delivering intimate performances by big-name musicians – a feature that continues to lure both bands and fans.

An impressive balcony wraps around the dance floor and stage in the main room, where masses of people get groovy to an eclectic mix of music. Giant stained glass windows accentuate the vibrant setting and serve as a backdrop for some of the biggest bands in the music biz.

When the live performances end, the venue transforms into a club with DJs spinning disco, jazz, and funk all night long.

A smaller room on the top level hosts either a different live gig or a DJ pumping out more alternative beats, while a second-floor smoking room and a basement café offer quieter places to take a quick breather.

The beautiful setting, outgoing social vibe, and stellar performances attract a diverse clientele that changes according to who’s on the schedule – though club nights do tend to draw a harder party crowd of students.

Paradiso’s incredibly diverse line-ups, however, promise a great night for almost all tastes, evident in the fact that everyone from The Rolling Stones to Nick Cave to Willie Nelson to Jamiroquai are a just a few of its past headliners.    read less