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Amsterdam Melkweg — Most active Cultural Center of the Netherlands

Amsterdam Tourist Information • Posted: May 12, 2008

In the center of Amsterdam’s most popular nightlife district, just off Leidseplein, a former dairy factory situated behind the Stadsschouwburg serves as Holland’s most active cultural center.

De Melkweg (Milky Way) is home to more than 1000 performances by bands and DJs a year, and in fact the venue’s fame has spread throughout Europe and beyond.

The Melkweg is one of the most well-known entertainment venues within and outside the Netherlands, and is unique because of a programme that unites five artistic disciplines under one roof: music, dance/theatre, film, photography and media art.

Concerts, dance events, theatrical and dance productions, films, media art presentations and photo exhibitions are staged in five halls and several small rooms.

The Melkweg, a non-profit organisation, was founded in 1970 when a Dutch theatre group discovered a deserted dairy factory in the centre of Amsterdam. Hard work, ambition and NLG 25,000 (about EUR 11,000) enabled the group to transform the factory into a meeting place, initially during the summer only.

During the 1970s, the Melkweg became a household name and started developing more in terms of content, offering room for experiments relating to music, theatre, dance and film.

The ground floor of the building now houses The Max (capacity of 1,000) and the Oude Zaal (capacity of 700), which are used primarily for concerts and events.

The Photo Gallery and the Café-Restaurant are located on the Marnixstraat side, while the upper floor is occupied by the Cinema (90 seats), the Theaterzaal (140 seats), a foyer and the Tearoom.
- Source: Melkweg

Address

Melkweg
Lijnbaansgracht 234a [Google Map]
1017 PH Amsterdam

Tip: Make your way to Leidseplein, for instance with trams 1, 2, or 5 (10 minutes from Central Station). You’ll find Lijnbaansgracht to the right of the Stadsschouwburg (municipal theater) and to the left of the huge, outdoor terrace.

What’s On

Despite its international appeal, most of the Melkweg website is in Dutch only. Still, you won’t have much trouble finding out what’s on.

Tickets, Reservations

Tickets, reservation costs, membership, cancelled or rescheduled concerts

Can I reserve tickets?
You can only do so for theatrical productions and films. Click the ‘tickets’ tab for all information about ticket sales, advance sales and ticket reservation for films and theatrical productions.

Do I have to pay a reservation fee?
Yes, all advance sales outlets charge a fee for reserving a ticket. A particular programme is frequently sold out. The reservation fee can therefore be regarded as a guarantee for a place at a concert. Incidentally, you do not have to pay a reservation fee when you purchase a ticket at the Melkweg ticket desk on the actual day of the concert or event. Other ticket sellers charge a reservation fee up until the day itself.

I lost my tickets. What will happen how?
Unfortunately, the Melkweg cannot do anything about this. From the moment of purchase, the tickets are your responsibility. There are no duplicates, etc. This applies to all tickets, i.e. even tickets purchased from sales outlets.

Where and when can I purchase a membership?
Membership is compulsory for many musical programmes or events in the Melkweg and costs
€ 3.00 for one moth. A monthly membership is not limited to a particular person and can be purchased at the Melkweg ticket desk or the AUB Ticketshop. Annual membership is more economical for regular visitors to the Melkweg, which is limited to a particular person, by the way. More information and the advantages of an annual membership are provided below.