Melkweg, Dutch for the Milky Way, is one of Amsterdam’s most well-known music venues and clubs. Housed in a building that was originally built in the 1800s as a sugar factory, the venue became a club and music venue in the 1970s and grew to become one of the most popular hotspots in the city.
Each year, thousands of people visit Melkweg to enjoy concerts, theater performances and other events. Depending on the schedule, the Melkweg caters to singles, couples and younger and older crowds. Families with older children can enjoy concerts, movies and theater productions intended for all ages.
Melkweg - one of the highlights of 10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Amsterdam and 10 Best Places to See Live Music in Amsterdam (Read all about Amsterdam here)
photo by DigiDaan (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
Highlights of Melkweg
As one of Amsterdam’s premier venues, the Melkweg regularly features world-renowned artists, including Prince, U2, the Arctic Monkeys, and Nirvana. There have also been several references to the venue in pop culture music, such as the Cracker song, ‘Eurotrash Girl’ and Church’s ‘Under the Milky Way”.
The venue consists of 6 separate spaces. The Max is the largest concert hall, while the Old Hall is the oldest concert hall. The Rabo features theater productions and movies, while the Theater Hall offers an intimate space for lesser-known artists. The Movie theater hosts private movie viewings, and the exhibition space is utilized for art exhibitions.
Good things to know about visiting Melkweg
Along with concerts and events by internationally-known DJs, the Melkweg also has nightclub options. Cheeky Monday is a great way to get over your Monday blues, and Techno Tuesday is also a local fave. Every Saturday, Melkweg hosts one of Holland’s largest R&B and hip-hop events.
Melkweg is one of the only clubs in Amsterdam open past 3 am. On weekends, they don’t close until 5 am, so it is a very popular late-night haunt. Be aware that on top of the entrance fee, a membership fee is required to enter the facility. Visitors can buy a temporary or annual membership.
Melkweg
Location: Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 1017 PH Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Hours vary
Phone: +31 20 531 8181
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