Hey Hippies! Im lookin for any info you may have on the Paradiso. There's a band playing there that I'm thinkin about coming over to check out and was wondering if anyone might have any venue info as I am coming up short thru my web searches. Im wondering about size, capacity, area of the city, etc. Any assistance would be much appreciated, of course!
Paradiso is one of the truly great European venues. Have you checked their website? http://www.paradiso.nl It's just off Leidseplein on the Weteringschans. The drinks are also reasonably priced, although they don't offer passouts. Fyi: they will make you purchase a 3 month membership on top of your ticket price (it's really just a scam to get an extra 2 euro).
Paradiso began in the 60's as a hippie squat in a former church still with beautiful stain glass windows above the rear of the stage. Great sound. Capacity in the main hall of about 1,400. There is also a small upstairs hall with a capacity of about 150. Both rooms have bars in them. There are no seats at most concerts with the exception when the 2 balconies over the main hall are open. Downstairs is another room with a small bar with a small food selection and tables and chairs. Small beers are euro 2.10. Smoking marijuana is allowed. Hard drugs are not allowed and you likely be searched if you enter after 11PM. Live music 5-7 nights a week with a nightclub open about 12 to 4 or 5 in the morning Wednesday thru Saturday. About a year ago renovations were completed at a cost of about 2 million euro. Many famous performers have played here. In the last 5 years, two more live music venues have opened in Amsterdam with larger capacities, but many performers still wish to play the Paradiso. Cyberbro, what show are you going to?
i saw bruce hornsby play there while on dead tour '90. imagine 1/3 dutch people with a -shitload- of crazy deadhead americans that were trying to see who could use the most sheets of paper in a joint. i used to have a picture of the most gorgeous dutch blond taking a hit off our 10 sheeter. i think bruce played really well that night, i can't remember much any band would be inspired there, it's like a 200-300 year old hall/church with ornate stained glass everywhere. iirc phish has played there, most hippy bands aspire to play there. the 2nd best venue in amsterdam imho is the milkveg (milky way) club. go to jaminthedam.com for an amazing lineup of bands playing there next march. yonder, galactic, sound tribe, i am definately going. the dead ('80), janes addiction and tons of medium/large bands have played the milkveg. if anyone in holland can help with a place to stay next march, i will roll 2 bindles of cd's worth of bootlegs just for them when i come over.
Thanks so much for the feedback. It definitely exceeded my expectation! Im hoping to catch the Govt Mule http://www.mule.net/index.php show on Aug 6th. I had the pleasure of having my socks knocked off last April at the Melkweg and cant wait to see them again in my favorite city on Earth! If I cant make it over there in August, Im hoping like hell they go back in the Spring. If they do, I wouldn't miss it for the world! Actually, I would love to just make an annual Spring pilgrimage over there for more kick-ass doses of the Mule, Euro-style! Thanks again for the info....excellent stuff.
