CLUBS

See also www.amsterdamdjs.com for links to clubs and party organisers plus DJ info

ARENA Formerly a convent, this hip three-star designer hotel has really popular club nights at the weekends, including in the upstairs 'chapel'. 's Gravesandestraat 51 (850 2400) www.hotelarena.nl

KORSAKOFF A free-entry grunge club where a cool crowd mixes with some total creeps. Music is alternative, hip hop, metal etc. On Fridays the third floor is open and it's fabulous. Lijnbaansgracht 161 (6257854)

MELKWEG Like the Paradiso (below), this is one of the city's major music venues. Formerly a milk factory, nowadays it churns out concerts and parties. (There's also a cinema here showing independent and foreign movies, plus a theater and restaurant). Lijnbaansgracht 234a www.melkweg.nl

MORE A beautiful, über-cool club owned by the Supper Club and located above Nomads. Rozengracht 133 www.supperclub.com

NL-LOUNGE This is a free-entry club (drinks are a bit expensive) on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal with a beautiful interior. Great lounge/chilled music. Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 169

PARADISO This former church is predominantly a music venue but they have regular club nights: CLASSIC NOODLANDING! alternative dance night is on most Wednesdays with DJs Willem, George, Arnold and Dion; NOODLANDING alternative dance night is most Thursdays. DJs usually play after the bands plus they also have a lot of one-off parties here. Weteringschans 6-8 (6237348) www.paradiso.nl

VAKZUID This place in the south of the city is well worth the bike/tram/bus ride and is pretty cool. Formerly the Olympic Stadium when the Olympics were held here in 1928 there is a bar, lounge, club area and restaurant. Lounge outside on big cushions on their wonderful terrace. Sunday afternoon lounging possibilities are divine. Olympische Stadion 35 (570 8400)

COOL CLUB NIGHTS

CLUB VEGAS @ WINSTON INTERNATIONAL Excellent. My favourite club night in Amsterdam. Easy tune, debauchery and sequins - and no techno!. Hosted by the inimitable Mizz Erin Tasmania. Great DJs, great atmosphere (no pretentions just people rounding off the weekend), and fabulous live acts ranging from alternative circus to cabaret. Every Sunday (22.00-03.00, €7 or €5 if you dress up Vegas-style before 23.00) Warmoesstraat 127 www.clubvegas.nl

VRANKRIJK @ VRANKRIJK Great squatter's club that have an alternative party every Saturday (22.00-04.00, free): music ranging from Polish punk to New York speed garage. There is also a Queer Night here every Monday. Spuistraat 216 www.vrankrijk.org

PRE-CLUB HANGOUTS

BEP Just a stagger from Diep and Seymour Likely Lounge (see below) this can make for a very handy pre-club crawl. Hipper than Pip. Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 260 (6265649)

DIEPE The Bep-Getaway sandwich filling. Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 256 (4202020)

THE GETAWAY Formerly Seymour Likely Lounge, this is one of the cool, trendy places to be and a favourite hangout of Amsterdam's 'beautiful people' prior to clubbing. Personally I find it too busy, nothing special, and a bit posey, but the music is O.K. I've had one of the nicest compliments in my life paid to me here... Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 250 (6271427)

LIME A cool little place next to the Buddhist Temple on the Zeedijk. Especially popular with a pre-club crowd on weekends. Great cocktails! Zeedijk 104 (6393020)

LUX Aesthetic, late-opening, centrally located bar (right by the Leidseplein and a few doors away from the Melkweg). DJs play daily. Marnixstraat 403 (4221412)

VAAGHUYZEN Fabby DJ café. Lively, quirky and DJs play daily. Nieuwe Nieuwestraat 17 (4201751)