AFAS Live
The name is spelled out across the facade in 70,000 blue aluminium caps — a detail that tells you something about the building's character before you've even walked in. AFAS Live is a concert venue in Amsterdam-Zuidoost, a two-minute walk from Bijlmer ArenA station, and its main hall holds 6,000 people in a pillar-free black box 61 metres long.
Architect Frits van Dongen of Architekten Cie designed the structure with a deliberately closed, monolithic exterior — those thick walls are doing acoustic work. Inside the Black Box, there isn't a bad position in the room. The smaller Beat Box fits 700 and has a ceiling that climbs to 10.5 metres.
💛 What travellers fall for
Regular visitors tend to arrive early enough to use the on-site lockers — the bag policy is strict (A4-sized only), and the external locker facility 800 metres away is reportedly hard to find in the dark. The cup system is circular: you pay a deposit, return the plastic, and the queue moves faster than you'd expect for a room of 6,000.
The story behind AFAS Live
The first pile was driven on April 9, 1998. Three years and €30 million later, Heineken Music Hall opened on March 15, 2001 — a purpose-built live venue designed from the ground up for amplified sound, at a moment when Amsterdam lacked a mid-size room that could handle serious international touring acts.
Heineken held the naming rights for fifteen years. On January 1, 2017, that partnership ended and AFAS Software — a Dutch business-software company based in Leusden — became the new sponsor, and the venue took its current name. The building itself hasn't changed; roughly 650,000 people pass through it each year.
Good to know
Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station puts you at the door in two minutes — trains and metro lines 50 and 54 both stop there. Doors typically open at 6:30 PM; check your specific event. Restaurant First on-site takes bookings for a three-course pre-show menu.
Where is AFAS Live?
Location
- In Amsterdam-Zuidoost
- 52.3133, 4.9455
- Open in Google Maps
Rating
4.3 ★ · 14,650 Google reviews
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What travellers say about AFAS Live
Nice concert hall. I was only surprised how long it took to get in. Most other concert halls I have experienced were much faster, even bigger ones. The exit was nice and smooth. The sound was fine. There are a few food stalls inside. I should have used them instead of finding space in one outside the venue.
WOW! What a great place. We went to see Haevn for their 10th anniversary show with live orchestra and it was breathtaking. Great sound. Very good public transport conditions with the tube, train and buses just 5 minutes walking. 6000 ppl capacity, very quick to empty the crowds. Took us around 10 minutes from the end of the show to be outside by the tube station. If you think about attending a show at that venue and have an extra day or 2 to spare for sightseeing I recommend the nearby Hilton hotel.
Good venue, clean. Went to see Eurovision in concert. Great night. Disappointed there was no merchandise. Only flags could be bought. Organisers really missed a trick there. Didn't spoil a great night though.
Amazing venue! Went here for both ADE and now for New Years Eve party. It depends on the event how long it will take to get it, at ADE it was only 10 minutes through the security check and getting in, at NYE last night it took 50 minutes to get in or so, we celebrated new year in the queue! 😂 But the venue is great, lockers are very easy with phone and QR code and drinks are expensive is usual for events around 7 euros for a beer. Room is very big with nice sound and great lights! Do wear earplugs though, at some point you will need them as it gets louder depending on the DJs/time of the night.
I was there last week for the A Perfect Circle concert. I was shocked that there was almost no air conditioning under the heat wave with thousands of people. We couldnt bear more than 3 songs. Fix your AC system which can handle heatwaves or do not sell tickets.
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