De Beste DJs Die Dit Maand Spelen bij De Marktkantine in Amsterdam

In Amsterdam is het nachtleven geen gewoon onderdeel van het sociale leven-it’s a rhythm, a pulse that runs through the canals and echoes in the old warehouse walls. And nowhere is that pulse louder, rawer, and more authentic than at De Marktkantine. Tucked away in the heart of Amsterdam Noord, this converted market hall doesn’t just host parties-it curates experiences. This month, the lineup is sharper than ever, blending underground Dutch talent with international names who know exactly where to find the city’s real sound.

Waarom De Marktkantine nog steeds het hart van Amsterdam’s clubscene is

De Marktkantine isn’t just another club. It’s a cultural landmark. Built in the 1920s as a vegetable market, it survived demolition plans in the 90s thanks to a grassroots movement led by local artists and DJs. Today, its exposed brick, high ceilings, and open floor plan create a sound environment that’s impossible to replicate in glass towers downtown. The acoustics? Perfect for bass-heavy techno and house. The crowd? Mix of Amsterdammers who’ve been coming since the early 2000s, expats who moved here for the music, and tourists who heard about it from someone who heard about it from someone else.

Unlike clubs in the city center that charge €25 just to walk in, De Marktkantine keeps prices fair-usually €12-€15 at the door. You pay for the vibe, not the logo. And you’ll find no velvet ropes here. Just a long bar serving Jopen beer, local gin from Hendrick’s distillery, and cheap cocktails that taste like they were mixed by someone who actually likes you.

DJs die dit maand op het podium staan

This month, the schedule is stacked with artists who don’t just play tracks-they tell stories with them. Here’s who’s spinning where and when:

• 14 januari: Sven Väth - The German techno legend returns after a five-year break from Amsterdam. He’s playing his classic 3-hour set in the main hall, focusing on minimal, hypnotic grooves. This is the kind of set that makes you forget you’re in a former market hall-you’ll swear you’re in a bunker under the Rhine.
• 18 januari: Tijana T - A rising star from The Hague who blends Balkan folk samples with hard-hitting techno. Her last set here sold out in 47 minutes. Expect distorted accordion loops, distorted kicks, and a crowd that’s dancing like it’s 1999 again.
• 21 januari: DJ Rashad (Live Set) - Not the late legend himself, but his protégé and longtime collaborator, DJ Spinn, performing a live reinterpretation of the Chicago footwork sound. This is rare. You won’t hear this anywhere else in the Netherlands.
• 25 januari: Nils Frahm (Live) - Yes, the ambient piano composer is playing here. Not what you’d expect, but he’s teamed up with a visual artist from Utrecht to create a light-and-sound installation that transforms the space. It’s quiet, emotional, and unforgettable. Arrive early-seats are limited.
• 28 januari: Romy (Live) - The Amsterdam-born singer and producer from The xx is performing a DJ set of her own remixes and unreleased tracks. She’s been rehearsing in a studio near Waterlooplein for weeks. This is a hometown moment.

Pro tip: If you’re serious about catching one of these sets, buy tickets in advance. Even if the event says ‘door sales available,’ they rarely are. De Marktkantine’s online system, powered by local startup Eventbrite NL, fills up fast-often within hours of the lineup drop.

Hoe je er het beste naartoe komt

Getting to De Marktkantine is part of the ritual. If you’re coming from Amsterdam Centraal, take the free ferry from behind the station to Amsterdam Noord. It runs every 10 minutes until 1:30 AM. The ride takes 7 minutes and gives you a view of the city skyline lit up by the red lights of the Magere Brug. It’s the perfect pre-party moment.

Driving? Don’t. Parking around the venue is a nightmare. The closest official lot is Parking Noord, but it fills up by 9 PM on weekends. Better yet: take the 32 bus from Amsterdam Centraal-it drops you right at the entrance. Or bike. Seriously. Amsterdam has more bikes than people, and the route from the city center to De Marktkantine is flat, safe, and lined with street art.

Wat je moet dragen (en wat je beter niet draagt)

There’s no dress code at De Marktkantine. But there’s an unspoken one. You’ll see leather jackets, vintage tracksuits, oversized wool coats, and combat boots. You’ll also see people in full evening gowns-because why not? The vibe is ‘express yourself, but don’t be a tourist.’

Avoid: neon sports jerseys, branded hoodies from international chains, or anything that says ‘I just landed at Schiphol.’ This isn’t a club where you show off your vacation wardrobe. It’s where you disappear into the music.

Bring a light jacket. Even in January, the hall gets warm-people sweat, bodies crowd, and the sound system pumps heat. But once you step outside, the wind off the IJ river cuts through you. Always have a coat ready.

Waar je naartoe gaat na De Marktkantine

Most people leave around 2 AM. But if you’re still buzzing, head to De Pijp-specifically, Bar Luce on the Albert Cuypstraat. It’s open until 4 AM, serves cheap hot chocolate with whipped cream, and has a tiny backroom where locals play vinyl-only sets on a 1970s turntable. No flyers. No cover. Just a guy named Hans who knows everyone.

Or walk 15 minutes to De Hallen-another repurposed market building-where De Bar opens at 3 AM on weekends. It’s dim, quiet, and has a jukebox full of Dutch indie rock from the 2000s. Perfect for cooling down.

Waarom dit maand anders is

This January, De Marktkantine is celebrating its 15th anniversary as a music venue. The organizers have brought back old-school flyers-hand-printed, on recycled paper-and are giving them away for free to the first 100 people each night. You can collect them, frame them, or just keep them in your wallet as proof you were there.

There’s also a new collaboration with Amsterdamse Kunststichting to support local sound engineers. For every ticket sold, €1 goes to training young audio techs from neighborhoods like Oost and Noord. It’s not just a party-it’s a community project.

If you’ve ever danced here before, you know this isn’t about fame or trends. It’s about connection. The way the bass vibrates through the wooden floor. The way strangers become friends when the track drops. The way, for a few hours, the city outside doesn’t matter.

This month, the music is louder. The crowd is bigger. And the feeling? It’s still the same as it was when the first DJ turned on the speakers in 2011.

Wat je na dit weekend moet doen

Als je deze maand naar De Marktkantine gaat, don’t just dance. Listen. Watch the way the light moves with the bass. Talk to the person next to you-even if they’re silent. Ask them why they come here. You’ll hear stories about breakups, new beginnings, and nights that changed everything.

And when you leave, don’t just go home. Walk along the IJ. Look back at the building. It’s not just a warehouse anymore. It’s a heartbeat.