SESH

Klaas Kompaan, located on Bert Haanstrakade in the 1051-1087 HM district of Amsterdam, is a unique floating nightclub that has carved a special niche in the city's vibrant nightlife scene. Housed aboard a converted industrial barge, Klaas Kompaan blends urban dockside grit with adventurous programming, representing an evolution in Amsterdam’s tradition of combining culture with its waterways. The club was launched in the late 2010s by a collective of local creatives and nightlife enthusiasts seeking to provide a more intimate, flexible party environment outside the city's saturated land-based venues.

Initially moored further west along the IJ, the boat eventually established its permanent home at Bert Haanstrakade, a location that balances easy accessibility with a sense of maritime escapism. Over the years, the structure itself has seen multiple upgrades; the addition of improved sound insulation and climate control made year-round events possible, while top-deck renovations created an outdoor dance floor with panoramic water views. Klaas Kompaan quickly gained a reputation for its open-minded, inclusive atmosphere and its support for Amsterdam’s underground music scene, serving as an incubator for both homegrown talent and innovative international bookings.

The club’s culturally significant programming often defies genre boundaries, ranging from house and techno to live experimental performances and pop-up art installations, fostering collaborations across artistic disciplines. Its relative independence from mainstream commercial pressures has allowed Klaas Kompaan to become a safe space for marginalized communities, attracting a loyal following of music lovers, creatives, and nightlife aficionados who value connection and creative risk-taking. The venue’s flexibility has also made it a hub for daytime festivals, queer nights, and even intimate conferences, further cementing its place in Amsterdam’s eclectic clubbing ecosystem.

Notable artists who have graced the decks and stage of Klaas Kompaan include internationally renowned DJs such as Avalon Emerson, Marcellus Pittman, and HAAi, as well as crucial local figures like Job Jobse, Carista, KI/KI, and Pieter Jansen. The boat has also hosted secret gigs from bands like Altin Gün and boundary-pushing sets by collectives such as Strangelove and IsBurning, making it a continual point of intersection between local energy and global sound.