Melkweg Amsterdam

Melkweg is perhaps the most well known Amsterdam club and music venue. The large building is former milking factory, giving the venue its name, which means The Milky Way in English. Melkweg is operated by a not for profit organisation of artists under the same name and has been since the group discovered the abandoned dairy factory in 1970.

The large, sprawling building can be found just off the popular Leidseplein nightlife hub and with five rooms often hosting different events, is one of the most diverse nightclubs in Amsterdam in terms of its offering. As well as a nightclub and music venue, Melkweg's various rooms often play host to theatrical performances, dance productions, movies, media art installations and photography exhibitions. Many exhibitions are displayed in the Melkweg Café at the back of the venue, while movie screenings take place in the cosy, attic housed cinema screen at the top of the building.

Agenda
This is primarily an Amsterdam club and venue, however, and this is what keeps the crowds coming back. Every week there are guaranteed to be a number of music events taking place in Melkweg, with everyone from internationally famous DJs to popular Dutch hip hop artists taking to the club's various stages. Hugely famous international acts also play here regularly, it being one of the most high profile venues in the city. For details of upcoming concerts, check the agenda at www.melkweg.nl.

If catching a concert seems a bit out of your price range, or if there is just nobody you would like to see playing, then paying a visit to one of Melkweg's club nights might be the thing to do. A number of recurring nights are held here by collectives based outside of the club, such as the dance focused Off Centre and the dubstep heavy CABLE, so check the agenda regularly. On Saturday nights, Ctrl+Alt+Dance is an indie, pop and alternative night that forms a regular staple of Amsterdam nightlife.

Opening Hours and Entrance Fees
Melkweg is one of the few late opening clubs in Amsterdam, often remaining busy up to 5am. This is unusual in Amsterdam, where most clubs have to close up by 3am on the weekends at the latest, and helps explain another reason why the club is so popular with late night revellers. Opening hours for specific events such as movie screenings and concerts can vary, so be sure to check the details on the website or your ticket to know when to arrive.

One thing that often takes visitors by surprise is the fact that, on top of the regular entrance fee stated on posters or at the door, to enter Melkweg you must also buy a membership to the club. This membership fee is an additional EUR 3.50 on top of the ticket price, but it is valid for a month so if you have already been recently, be sure to bring you temporary membership card to avoid the fee. Another option is to buy the annual membership card. This is more suited to those living in the city and gives discounted entrance to many events as well as streamlining the membership process. Tickets to all events can be purchased via the Melkweg website as can membership tickets for the month or year.

Melkweb Amsterdam
Lijbaansgracht 234 A
020 531 8181
www.melkweg.nl

Just opposite Melkweg is another dance club, the Sugar Factory, and not far from Leidseplein is club Paradiso.