Paradiso

Paradiso is a neo-Gothic brick church from the 1880s on Amsterdam's Leidseplein that was reopened in 1968 as a squat cultural center during the student movement. In its early years the venue hosted The Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, setting it on a path to becoming one of Europe's most respected live music clubs. The City of Amsterdam eventually took over operations and granted the building protected-monument status while leaving its character intact. Today the tall nave with its stained-glass windows forms a striking backdrop to a stage below, hosting indie, electronic, and world music most nights of the week. Tickets are frequently affordable and available last-minute.

Former Calvinist church, concert temple since 1968 — the Stones, Pink Floyd, Prince all played here; today more indie + electronic.