Hotels near Paradiso

Paradiso was built between 24 May 1879 and 2 May 1880 as a church for De Vrije Gemeente. The congregation left in 1965, the building spent an undignified spell as a carpet showroom, and in October 1967 it was occupied by people who wanted a cultural centre instead. It opened on 30 March 1968 as the Cosmisch Ontspanningscentrum Paradiso, and has been a protected monument since 16 September 1980. The main hall holds 1,500 under the original stained glass, the upstairs room 250. Until the 1990s it was the city's largest concert venue.

Paradiso was one of three night venues at the first Amsterdam Dance Event in 1996, alongside Melkweg and Club Escape, when the whole thing was a three-day conference with 300 delegates and 30 DJs. For 2026 the headline booking is Speedy J presents STOOR Live on Saturday 24 October, doors at 16:00 and running to 23:59 across the main hall, upstairs room and basement, with JakoJako, Lady Starlight, UFO95, Rødhåd and Speedy J. It is €50.40, strictly 18 and over, and a second day follows on Sunday 25 October. Both had already sold out when this guide was written.

Two practical things catch people out. Membership is mandatory for events in the main building, €4.50 for a month or €9.50 for a year, charged on top of the ticket and not required for Paradiso events held at outside locations. Lockers cost €3.50, €4.50 or €6.50, wheeled bags and suitcases are refused at the door, and the building takes no cash.

Pro Tip: Buy the €9.50 annual membership online before you travel rather than the €4.50 monthly one at the door, then take metro line 52 to Vijzelgracht, a two-minute walk to Weteringschans that skips the Leidseplein crush entirely.