Leidseplein is not the first place you would expect to find a serious nightclub. Too touristy, too noisy, too many fake cocktails and dancing men with bachelorette ribbons. And yet: in the basement of Heineken Hoek at number 19, since 2023 there has been Basement, a club that aims to be the exact opposite of the street above. House and disco, an intimate space, and a sound system that puts most larger clubs to shame.
The program runs on set nights. Every week there are events on Friday and Saturday, and two names keep coming back: ROOG and Nightowls. ROOG is resident DJ and host of the ‘Early Night’ nights, a series where you can go out early without sacrificing music quality. Nightowls brings its own crew: John Agesilas is their regular resident, Theodore also spins there regularly, and the night is complemented by Kingdom Sound, DJ HXDDN and DJ VPPIVH. Together they determine what sounds will be played at the Basement x Nightowls nights.
The space itself is small and raw. No shiny surfaces, no VIP areas with bottle service. Basement calls itself ‘The Era of Intimate Nights,’ and that's no empty marketing phrase: the floor space forces you close to the music. The sound system is professional and clean, which makes a big difference in a small space. You can hear every layer of the mix, and that's exactly the point. The club attracts both locals and people from out of town, though Basement positions itself primarily as an alternative for the Amsterdammer who normally avoids Leidseplein.
In the city's busiest square sits the most inconspicuous entrance to one of the more serious club nights you can find.
Basement now has more than 6,800 followers on Instagram, which is decent for a club this size. The formula is simple: good music, a small space, and no concessions to touristy surroundings. On the busiest square in town sits the most inconspicuous entrance to one of the more serious club nights you can find. The club runs on Fridays and Saturdays, and once you know to descend, the way back is difficult.