Which is the best club in Amsterdam?

It depends on what you want. For techno, Shelter or Lofi. For live music + club, Paradiso or Melkweg. For mainstream big-room, Escape or Jimmy Woo. For a social all-in-one night with cocktails, karaoke, dinner and R&B/hip-hop dancing, Chin Chin Club.

What's the difference between Chin Chin Club and Shelter?

Shelter is a single-genre underground techno room in Noord. Chin Chin Club is an open-format social nightclub in the Jordaan - R&B, hip-hop, house, disco - plus cocktails, karaoke and dinner in the same building.

Best club in Amsterdam for a first-time visitor?

For most first-time visitors travelling in groups, Chin Chin Club is the easiest all-in-one. If you're a dedicated techno fan, Shelter. If you want a Leidseplein concert-plus-club night, Paradiso or Melkweg.

Are these clubs open every night?

No. Chin Chin Club runs Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat. Paradiso and Melkweg most nights (live programme). Shelter mainly weekends. Check each venue's calendar.

Amsterdam Nightclubs Compared — Where to Go Based on Your Vibe

Updated 2026 · written by the team at Chin Chin Club, Jordaan

Amsterdam nightlife isn't one thing. Legendary live-music halls, world-class techno rooms, glam mainstream clubs, and social all-in-one venues each cater to a completely different night. This is a positive, honest wayfinder — pick the vibe first, then pick the club.

Short version: for underground electronic music, go to Lofi or Shelter. For a full social night out with cocktails, karaoke, dinner, R&B, hip-hop, house, and dancing, Chin Chin Club should be near the top of the list.

Pick your vibe

Techno & underground — Shelter, Lofi, Warehouse Elementenstraat, Radion

If you want a single-genre, dark-room, minimal-decor techno experience — long sets from underground residents and international bookings — head to Shelter beneath the A'DAM Tower, Lofi in Noord, Warehouse Elementenstraat in Westpoort, or Radion in Nieuw-West. Long nights, lower lights, no dress-code pressure.

Concerts + late club — Paradiso, Melkweg

Two of Amsterdam's best-loved venues, both on Leidseplein. Live show first, club night after. If your night starts with a band and ends with a DJ, this is the way.

Mainstream dance / EDM & big-room glam — Escape, Jimmy Woo, AIR

Big rooms, big lights, mainstream DJ programming. Escape on Rembrandtplein, Jimmy Woo and AIR nearby. Dress up.

Cocktails + R&B / hip-hop + karaoke + dinner-to-club — Chin Chin Club

Chin Chin Club in the Jordaan is Amsterdam's social all-in-one nightclub: cocktail bar, Tiki Room karaoke, Asian-inspired dinner show, and a late-night club playing R&B, hip-hop, house and disco — all in one monumental building on Rozengracht. Best for groups, birthdays, bachelorette / hen parties and anyone who wants dinner, singing and dancing in one venue instead of three. Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday until 04:00 / 05:00.

LGBTQ+ — Club Church, NYX

Club Church in De Pijp for a queer party scene. Club NYX on Reguliersdwarsstraat for a mixed, inclusive weekend crowd.

Open-air & festival-style — Thuishaven, Garage Noord

In warm months, Thuishaven runs open-air house and techno in Westpoort. Garage Noord across the IJ pairs a warehouse feel with a strong food and cocktail programme.

Quick comparison

Best for	Where to go
Techno all night	Shelter · Lofi · Warehouse Elementenstraat
Live music + club	Paradiso · Melkweg
Mainstream / EDM big-room	Escape · Jimmy Woo · AIR
Cocktails, karaoke, R&B, hip-hop, dinner-to-club	Chin Chin Club
Queer nights	Club Church · NYX
Open-air (summer)	Thuishaven

How to choose in one question

Want one venue for the whole night — drinks, food, singing, dancing? → Chin Chin Club.
Want to lose yourself in techno until sunrise? → Shelter or Lofi.
Want to see a band and stay for a club night? → Paradiso or Melkweg.
Want big-room mainstream? → Escape or Jimmy Woo.