De Balie

A historic cultural house where new ideas and meetings come to life.

Organize your event in a place where special encounters take place, (inter)national leaders speak, and new perspectives arise. 

You are looking for a venue that makes an impression and is well organized down to the details. At De Balie in the heart of Amsterdam, characterful spaces, professional event facilities, and hospitality come together. 

This cultural meeting and event location is situated in the former magistrate's court from 1849, right at Leidseplein. Here, every event has its own character. From an intimate strategy session to a conference for hundreds of guests: De Balie offers the space, the technology, and the hospitality to make your program a success.

De Balie accommodates gatherings of up to 600 people, spread across various rooms. Here, you can organize presentations, workshops, networking events, meetings, conferences, seminars, and corporate parties. With an in-house technical crew and catering, a variety of programs are possible.

Why choose De Balie?

At De Balie, you enter a building where conversations are central. For years, it has been a leading platform for art, culture, and social debate.

The historical architecture gives your event a unique appearance, while modern facilities and an experienced team ensure a professional execution. This way, you’re not just organizing a meeting, but an event in a place that invites conversation, surprises, and stays memorable.

Rooms & capacity

From an impressive plenary program to a small-scale gathering in an atmospheric space: 

• Large Hall: 220 people in theater setup, suitable for conferences and presentations.
• Salon: up to about 90 people, with special stained-glass windows.
• Film Room: 54 seats for screenings and presentations.
• Square Room: studio for smaller gatherings and recordings.
• Foyers and Mezzanine: for receptions, drinks, dinners, and networking moments.
• Meeting Room: up to 12 people for private consultations.

You can combine the spaces as desired for plenary sessions, workshops, and informal meetings.

An event with its own character

Imagine this: your guests arrive at the lively Leidseplein and step into a monumental cultural house full of history and character. After a warm welcome in the foyer, the program begins in one of the special rooms. 

In the Large Hall, your presentation gets all the attention. For smaller discussions, you move to the Salon or the Square Room. The stained-glass windows and authentic details create a striking backdrop in the Salon. And from the atmospheric Square Room, you overlook the Kleine Gartmanplantsoen. 

Afterward, guests meet in the foyer. With a drink, snacks, or a catered dinner, the day ends on a relaxed note. Everything takes place under one roof.

Practical & transparent

De Balie is located at Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, directly by Leidseplein. The venue is easily accessible by public transport. The Byzantium parking garage is about a five-minute walk away.

For your event, various facilities are available:

• Professional audiovisual technology and support from an in-house technical crew.
• Options for hybrid events and livestreaming.
• Free wifi and flexible room setups.
• Catering from the in-house kitchen, available from 15 people.
• Various culinary options, from lunch and drinks to buffet, walking dinner, and dinner on request.

The rental brochure provides more insight into room capacities and technical possibilities.

A stage with a story

The building from 1849 was originally a magistrate's court and has developed into a well-known platform for debates, film screenings, and cultural programs.

This background makes De Balie different from a regular meeting or event venue. Here, conversations that matter take place, different worlds meet, and diverse ideas are given a platform. 

This years-long experience with public gatherings is reflected in the professional stage facilities and technical support. This way, you choose a venue where history and contemporary events come together.

Discover De Balie for your event

Curious about what your gathering could look like in this special Amsterdam cultural house?

Schedule a viewing or request a quote directly through the form on the right side. This way, you can discover which space best suits your plans.