Many in Amsterdam mourned the loss of legendary clubbing spot Trouw. It was an integral part of the city’s nightlife – famously the first night-club to receive a 24-hour permit from the city, it hosted legendary nights and DJs from across the world. So when there were plans afoot to open a new venue by the same team behind Trouw, the city’s revellers rejoiced. Even more so when they discovered what was going to replace it – a multi-purpose and generally awesome cultural centre.

Called De School – because it was converted from a school – it opened this January and is so much more than a night-club, boasting a café, exhibition space, public courtyard and even a gym. The 500 capacity nightclub continues its predecessor’s 24-hour ethos (thanks, again, to the city’s licensing) and attracts some of the best names in dance music, from big names like Seth Troxler to local sound-systems like Dekmantel.

Funnily enough, this weekend is one of the best times to explore De School. Not only have they got Panorama Bar resident Steffi playing on Friday, on Saturday and Sunday they’re hosting a special opportunity to go behind the scenes as part of the 24H Amsterdam programme – a city-wide initiative allowing residents and tourists to discover the best Amsterdam has to offer in a 24-hour period. 

This means on Saturday you can go to free (!) exercise classes starting at 12pm, which include kickboxing, Hatha yoga, dodgeball and ‘mobility’. On Sunday, Amsterdam resident Okko Steensma will be giving a short tour of De School. Why him? Because he actually went to De School when it was still a school in the 1960s! 

If that weren’t enough, before the tour the café will be open for a “special school brunch” – if you want to sign up and join the festivities then email info@deschoolamsterdam.nl.