The well-known Paradiso Amsterdam is an unexpected find in the center of Amsterdam city. This venue is in an old and historic building that was erected as a church; the Paradiso now hosts live music and wide-ranging cultural events. The building has been extensively retrofitted to meet its current use and is now even considered to be one of the true hotspots of nightlife in this exciting city.

The exterior of the former church is somewhat foreboding and has a dark, almost sinister, appearance to it, especially to those who are visiting for the first time and who have not experienced the energetic and spirited music that fills the interior during live music shows. The interior of the Paradiso is magnificent to behold. Given its former life as a cathedral, it is graced with high, vaulted ceilings and a magnificent balcony that overlooks the area where the stage is situated, and where the pulpit was formerly located.

Situated above the stage, there are three giant stained-glass windows that are original to the church and which are vibrant works of art in their own right. These amazing pieces help to make the Paradiso Amsterdam a venue like no other, while serving as an uncommon atmosphere for the live music. The panels are also illuminated so that they are not dependent on daylight for people to view and appreciate them.

The acoustics of the venue tend to produce echoes, due to the dimensions of the vast interior, but over the years since the Paradiso was opened in 1968, there have been ongoing improvements that have helped improve the overall experience of listeners. In addition to the primary venue that is housed in the former chapel area, there is a smaller stage and cafe area situated on the upper floor for more intimate performances.

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