Westerpark

The story

Just west of the Jordaan, this culturally diverse neighbourhood grew up around its namesake park on what was once an industrial zone. The park itself is crisscrossed with walking and cycling trails, with tall trees shading its ponds and open lawns. Museum Het Schip and the IJ waterfront are close by. The red-brick buildings of the old Westergas plant, now classified as industrial monuments, hold restaurants, bars, clubs, galleries and cultural venues. A former boiler house runs as an independent cinema and café, a brewpub pours its own craft beer, and the circular Gashouder, once a gas storage tank, hosts techno concerts for up to 3,500 people. By day the cafés fill with park-goers stopping for coffee; after dark, especially at weekends, the area turns into a party scene.