Cultural center, Concert hall, Dance school, Event venue, Garden, Performing arts theater, Pub, Restaurant
Tolhuistuin
On the north bank of the IJ, Shell's former research centre is now an 18,000-square-metre cultural hub with a garden, concert halls, a hip-hop school and a shared-dining restaurant looking across the water.
The story
For decades the site served as a Shell research centre. Today it is run by Stichting Tolhuistuin with THT Horeca and Paradiso, which programmes concerts and club nights here. Around a thousand events a year range from intimate theatre and talks to festivals, jam sessions and free Sunday Sounds, and about 30 cultural organisations keep workplaces in the buildings. The Paviljoen holds the Club, IJzaal and Zonzij halls, intimate rooms that host everything from jazz and neo-soul to classical ensembles. Café-restaurant THT seats more than 200 and serves small dishes from around the world, made for sharing, alongside a long dessert list. Inside there is soft lighting and a wall of plants. Two large terraces and a garden with parasols face the IJ, and there is a Reading House and art spread across the grounds.
Good to know
TAGGG AI- ✦The free ferry from Centraal Station to Buiksloterweg takes a few minutes and drops you practically at the door.
- ✦Plan on about two small plates per person, and leave room for the passion fruit panna cotta.
- ✦On the waterside terrace you order from your table by QR code and can pay by card.
Plan your visit
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