Shelter Amsterdam

Just a 5 minute ferry ride across the IJ from Central Station is ever cooler Amsterdam Noord. Shelter, in the basement of the former Shell tower, is a true testament to the fact that the district’s raw atmosphere still persists amid its gentrification. Shelter’s entrance is unmistakable: on club nights a secret hatch opens, and you descend to get inside. Down in the bellows of the basement, you’ll stumble upon a spacious, concrete room with a sound system that’ll blow your socks off. It’s also very dark — you can just make out the person next to you, which means there’s absolutely nothing to stop you from going all out on the dance floor. Shelter’s programmers focus on quality house and techno, although disco and more progressive kinds of unconventional electronica get to shine too. During regular club nights, Shelter opens at 11pm, and, with its 24-hour permit, nights can easily slip into late late mornings.