With 18 million tourists flocking to the city each year, all keen to experience the food, culture, cannabis in varying quantities Amsterdam has become one of the worlds largest tourist hubs. In more recent years thanks to the introduction of there world famous night Czar and forward thinking approach to nightlife the city has become an essential stop for dance music tourists from all over the world. The music scene is thriving and home to some of the scene’s best labels, artists and promoters making it the perfect home for ADE, the worlds largest music conference. Each year attracts around 446,000 people for a week of talks, panels and parties. When it comes to the clubs, the city is spoilt for choice and boasts some of the world’s most forward thinking venues. We select 5 of our favourite clubs for you to chalk up during ADE week.
De School
In 2015 Amsterdam saw the closure of two of its most notorious clubs; The Panoramic 11 and Trouw, venues famous for modernising the Amsterdam Club scene and pushing club evolution around the world. After their closure questions were asked what, if anything could replace such monumental institutions? The pressure was on for the fragmented team behind both clubs to create something worthy of filling the huge void left in the Amsterdam club scene.
Up steps De School a 200 capacity venue that still boasts the original writing desks, football pitches and the original canteen as well as a 24 hour events license making it the perfect events and exhibition space. The same meticulous attention to detail with bookings that made Trouw and 11 so revered and which prioritises selector skills over hype is tighter than ever. This year for ADE, the venue hosts its now infamous Het Weekend that will run from October 19 continuously through to October 22 and will feature artists such as Courtesy, Batu, Leif, LYZZA, mad miran, Mairo Nawaz, Marcel Dettmann, Tom Trago, Upsammy and Interstellar Funk.
This venue is a constantly evolving thanks to a multitude of artists and areas to explore, making it the perfect venue for a long ADE shift.
Shelter
Shelter announced itself back at ADE 2016 and ever since has been in the top echelons of global clubs. The epitome of the term ‘underground’ with an entrance via a hatch in the pavement the club has garnered a reputation for attracting the cities most informed ravers who are looking to see headline DJs in a more intimate and finely tuned space.
For the second year running Shelter team up with VBX to invite along Praslesh, Fumiya Tanaka, Francesco Del Garda as well as hosting the Rush Hour Records party (Sold Out) and Avalon Emerson and Dr. Rubenstein earlier on in the week.
If you haven’t been to Shelter before we strongly recommend it and if you have we know you will be chomping at the bit to go again. Either way add it to your ADE hit list.
Der Martkantine
Once a meeting place for Dutch market traders in the 1930s, the venue now serves as a hub for all things artistic. The recently renovated site showcases local artists and serves food through the week, but transforms into a techno temple at the weekend.
Pan-Pot and their Second State brand return to the main room for another year inviting techno queen Amelie Lens, Edible boss Eats Everything and Amsterdam local Joey Daniel on Wednesday before Solomun’s Diynamic label takeover on Thursday for 8 hours of melodic techno.
Basically, if you like your main room’s to be of the cavernous variety then De Martkantine is your spot for you. Expect big line-ups and even better stories.
Gashouder
Situated in Amsterdam’s Westergasfabriek gasworks complex, in the north of the city Gashouder is a former industrial building with a large pillar-less chamber and an iron roof, capable of housing 3,500 party goers. The festival sized sound system, indoor fireworks and fifty foot disco ball have all become the thing of legend as party goers make an annual pilgrimage to this breath taking venue.
As usual the venue will offer a 5-day programme that is strictly techno of the highest order. The opening night will see the likes of Charlotte De Witte, I hate Models and DJ Rush ply their signature sounds individually alongside Rebekah & Paula Temple, SHDW & Obscure Shape as they perform a master class in b2b magic.
Other guests across the 5 days include Adam Beyer and his Drumcode label, Ben Klock’s Photon and Maceoplex who presents his Mosaic party alongside Helena Huff, Floating Points, and Ben UFO ensuring a flawless who’s who of techno titans each and every day.
Claire
Claire is another one of Amsterdams newer venues built on the location of former venue Studio 80 in the Rembrandtplein district. The venue opened its doors in 2016 and hosts is known for line ups that boast a combination of international artists as well as local talent. The venue has great acoustics, a wonderful wooden floor and feels like a living room!
Across the course of the ADE week the venue will host a dynamic cross section of underground music’s most exciting talent with man of the moment Dennis Sulta playing all night long on Wednesday night before a Slap Funk Records special with Ryan Elliot, Cinthie and Real Gang’s Miller b2b Pascal Benjamin.
If that is not enough the venue also sees two more days of solid selectors with Rush Hour Records boss Antal joining Tamo Sumo, Sassy J and San Soda on the Friday before Heist Recordings showcase Éclair Fifi, Detroit Swindle (live) and Byron the Aquarious.
The area might not be the most exciting part of the city but Claire is a venue that is worth making the effort to visit. Its sound system and cosy vibe make it a perfect place to ease yourself back into full swing after three days of solid partying under your belt.
