Last Friday, the long-awaited queer club RAUM opened near Sloterdijk station. The club is specifically aimed at electronic underground music for and by LGBTQ people.

Club RAUM is an initiative of Diego Meijers and Sven Bijma, who since 2017 organized Spielraum, a very popular queer party for electronic music, first in Radion and then in Garage Noord.

Having their own club was a long-cherished dream, but given the high rents and strict regulations, it was extremely difficult to find a space. A suitable location was eventually found via Temporary Palaces, although it is unclear for how long it can be used.

Club RAUM is now located in a former bookbindery on the corner of Humberweg and Basisweg in the business park and industrial area Westpoort, also known as the Western Docklands. On the top floor there is a dance floor for about 400 visitors and a second room downstairs for about 150 people.




Club RAUM originally wanted to open in October last year, but despite its remote location, the Amsterdam port authority decided against it. Their objection was that the new nightclub would mean that less "noise space" would remain for industry.

Despite support from cultural councilor Meliani, the processing of the permit application also took considerably longer than expected. Ultimately, the permit was granted last March and after installing additional sound insulation, RAUM was finally able to open.

In addition to the regular dance nights, the intention is to organize artistic events and educational meetings in club RAUM as well, such as information evenings about mental health in nightlife and about safe intimacy.

In press reports it sometimes seemed as if RAUM would become the city's first or only queer club, but places like De Trut, club Church, club NYX and Vrankrijk have queer nights as well, albeit each in their own way.

More news about Amsterdam gay & lesbian nightlife:


September 13, 2024:

September 8, 2024:

June 24, 2024:

April 22, 2024:

December 15, 2023:

November 22, 2023:

April 11, 2023:

February 21, 2023:

July 15, 2022:

February 19, 2022:

February 13, 2022:

April 21, 2021:

October 14, 2020:

---

News about Reguliersdwarsstraat: Reguliers.net