The Milky Way

The Milky Way is a cultural center housed in a former industrial building alongside Amsterdam's canals, combining several different performance and exhibition spaces under one roof. Inside you'll find concert halls, a cinema, a theatre stage, and galleries for rotating shows.

The building started in 1905 as a newspaper printing facility, later served as a dairy factory, then transformed into a cultural venue in 1970. That conversion marked the beginning of its life as a major entertainment destination.

This place serves as a meeting point for artists and audiences from across the city, where creativity unfolds across multiple disciplines. The spaces are arranged so visitors can move freely between performances, screenings, and installations.

The venue sits centrally in Amsterdam and is easily reached by public transport, so getting there is straightforward. It's helpful to check opening times before you visit, as they vary depending on the day of the week.

The venue attracted early visits from up-and-coming international acts during a formative period of rock and pop music. Many artists who performed here in their early years later became worldwide sensations.

Location: Amsterdam

Inception: January 1, 1905

Address: Lijnbaansgracht

Opening Hours: Monday-Tuesday 10:00-05:00; Wednesday-Thursday 10:00-00:00; Friday-Saturday 10:00-05:00; Sunday 10:00-00:00

Phone: +31205318181

Email: info@melkweg.nl

Website: https://melkweg.nl

GPS coordinates: 52.36477,4.88124

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04