Melkweg. Southern Canal Belt.

There's always something worth seeing at the Milkweg. It gets immediate cred for being housed in a warehouse, around since the 70s, and run by a non-profit. From hugely popular touring acts to rad local DJs, it's a great place to start or finish your night. If you're looking for something more low-key, the Melkweg also houses a theater for plays, a photography and art space, and even a home-style restaurant that's open before shows. Get ready to stand on your tippy-toes, though, because all those Dutch hipsters were seriously towering over my vertically-challenged ass. It's amazing that something so cool is so close to the ewwy touristy Leidseplein.