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Beyond the red lights: The best of Amsterdam's pumping party scene By Julia D'OrazioWorldwide traveller, travel industry professional, and lover of all things Western AustraliaDec 7th, 2016

The Dutch are the masters of good times, with a multitude of eccentric night life options readily available in the capital, Amsterdam's nightlife comes in all forms. The Dutch city has even appointed a night mayor to manage how 'Dammers can enjoy the bright lights (no, not the red ones!) and dance floors come sundown.

De School

Class is in session
Image: Facebook / De School Amsterdam

De School is one class you won't want to be dismissed from. Located in the city's west, Amsterdam's premier club is housed in a 1960's technology school building and is an unofficial successor to the much-loved club Trouw, which closed its doors in 2015.

There are different subjects catering to all types of students, with artistic studios, a school-themed café, a restaurant, and a concert hall, making De School a multipurpose venue that's open seven days a week.

The club itself consists of a courtyard and an old bike shed, with local and international DJs pumping electronic music into the dimly lit, low ceiling basement club. It carries a 24-hour liquor licence, making selected weekends a one-stop, non-stop dance class – just make sure you wear comfortable footwear and get in early as capacity is limited.

Doctor Jan van Breemenstraat 1, 1056 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
T: +31 207 376 197E: email@example.com


Roll up, roll up
Image: Het Rijk Alleen via Facebook / Thuishaven

At Thuishaven, regular old circus clowns are replaced by colourful performers on stilts and casually dressed partygoers dancing to local DJs.  Boasting glittering, out-of-this-world décor and shimmering umbrella props amidst shipping container bars and carnival huts, the red-and-orange circus tent in Amsterdam's West Port has become a permanent fixture on the club scene since it first opened in 2013.

The short Dutch summer is well taken advantage of as the festival grounds are transformed with sandy dance floors and colourful bunting to create a beach party setting. But the revelry doesn't stop when the cold creeps in – the party simply heads inside the big top, known as 'Het Wintercircus' (Winter Circus).

To add to the festival atmosphere, partygoers must buy tokens for all food and beverages on premises with Heineken being a popular (and cheap) choice.

Contactweg 68, 1014BW Amsterdam, Netherlands
E: firstname.lastname@example.org

De Marktkantine

Old school cool
Image: Tim Buiting via Facebook / De Marktkantine

Since it's humble beginnings as a canteen for market salesmen, the Art Deco-inspired, industrial De Marktkantine has seen countless reincarnations since opening in 1936. True to many of its mixed legacies, it stands as one of Amsterdam's most-loved cultural hotspots, hosting theatre and music and feeding the hungry masses at an on-site American-inspired barbeque restaurant.

At night, the 1000-square-metre grounds are a top choice for lovers of techno, house, and deep house music, with multiple dance floors and stages on offer.

Jan van Galenstraat 6 1051 KM Amsterdam, Netherlands
T: +31 207 231 760E: email@example.com

CafÃ© Sound Garden

Rock out

Canal-side bar Café Sound Garden pumps a classic rock and alternative pop soundtrack sure to get those hands in the air. It also plays host to regular live musicians, which is something of a rarity in Amsterdam.

There's pinball and a pool table at guests' disposal, which is perfect for mingling with Dutch locals. And, for cat lovers, there's a resident feline waiting to say hello.

If you are lucky with the weather, grab a seat on the terrace and watch life (and canal boats) slowly pass you by while you sip a reasonably priced beer of the month. Boasting what is easily Amsterdam's best beer garden, Café Sound Garden an extensive beer selection including Belgian favourite Delirium.

Marnixstraat 164-166, 1016 TG Amsterdam, Netherlands
T: +31 206 202 853Website

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