Paradiso (Amsterdam)

Paradiso
Paradiso in 2008
Location in Amsterdam
Former namesCosmisch Ontspanningscentrum Paradiso
General information
Statusmusic venue
LocationWeteringschans 6-8, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Coordinates52°21′44″N 4°53′02″E / 52.36222°N 4.88389°E / 52.36222; 4.88389
Year built24 May 1879 – 2 May 1880
Opened30 March 1968
Other information
Seating capacity1,500 (main hall)
250 (upper floor stage)
Website
www.paradiso.nl
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Paradiso is a music venue and cultural centre located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Built in 1880 as a religious building for the Vrije Gemeente (Free Congregation), it was converted into youth entertainment venue in 1968. Until the 1990s, it was the largest concert club in Amsterdam. It is sometimes described as a "Pop Temple" (poptempel in Dutch), as the interior of its main hall retains some church-like features, including large stained glass windows behind the stage.

The main hall of Paradiso has a capacity of 1,500 visitors. On an upper floor there is another small hall with a capacity of 250 people. Performances are also regularly held in the basement cafe'. Since around 2014, the Paradiso organization has also organized events at several smaller venues around the city, including the Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam-Noord, which was known for a time as Paradiso Noord.

Among the most famous acts to have played Paradiso are Adele, David Bowie, Eminem, Kanye West, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Lady Gaga, Prince and The Rolling Stones.