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De Balie
De Balie

De Balie is a cultural and political centre housed in a former courthouse adjacent to Leidseplein, operating continuously since 1982. It combines a café-restaurant, a cinema, and a flexible programme space that has hosted Amsterdam's most significant public conversations about politics, media, culture, and society for four decades. The building's courtroom origins give it an appropriate seriousness — debates here often feel like they matter. The programme includes panel discussions, live journalism, documentary screenings, theatre, music, and occasional large-scale events. De Balie has a particular reputation for political debate — it is one of the few venues where politicians, journalists, activists, and citizens share the same room regularly, with the quality of conversation that comes from that kind of encounter. Events are often free or very cheap to attend. The café-restaurant is one of the better places to eat and drink in the Leidseplein area and operates separately from the event programme. De Balie is a natural pre- or post-dinner destination if you are in the neighbourhood. The event calendar rewards weekly checking rather than one-time visits.

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12 upcoming events

Wed 27 May · 20:00

‘Io sono Giorgia’ – the two faces of Meloni

‘Io sono Giorgia’ – the two faces of Meloni
Thu 28 May · 19:30

Hoe updaten we de rechtsstaat? – met Maxim Februari

Hoe updaten we de rechtsstaat? – met Maxim Februari
Fri 29 May · 00:00

Nationaal Gesprek over Vrijheid: Carol van Eert

Nationaal Gesprek over Vrijheid: Carol van Eert
Fri 29 May · 17:30

Plein Publiek: Belle van Heerikhuizen

Plein Publiek: Belle van Heerikhuizen
Fri 29 May · 20:00

Welcome in the age of oligarchy

Welcome in the age of oligarchy
Sat 30 May · 19:00

Rode Tulp Film Festival: Yellow Letters

Rode Tulp Film Festival: Yellow Letters
Sun 31 May · 13:00

Nog altijd geen baas in eigen buik

Nog altijd geen baas in eigen buik
Sun 31 May · 20:00

Nazaten: omgaan met een beladen familieverleden

Nazaten: omgaan met een beladen familieverleden
Mon 1 Jun · 00:00

Nationaal Gesprek over Vrijheid: Thom van Campen

Nationaal Gesprek over Vrijheid: Thom van Campen
Mon 1 Jun · 20:30

De Republiek

De Republiek
Tue 2 Jun · 19:30

Waarom we ADHD-medicatie blijven slikken

Waarom we ADHD-medicatie blijven slikken
Wed 3 Jun · 00:00

Nationaal Gesprek over Vrijheid: Barbara Kathmann

Nationaal Gesprek over Vrijheid: Barbara Kathmann