Wheelchair-friendly theatre and stage in Amsterdam

Dutch National Opera & Ballet

Housed in the Stopera building, the Dutch National Opera & Ballet offers top-quality ballet and opera performances by renowned international performers. The weekly programme boasts a range of traditional and modern productions, supported by the stunning music of a professional orchestra.

The Dutch National Opera & Ballet entrance is threshold-free with automatic doors. The building is spacious, with two performance halls. Both the smaller performance hall (Studio Boekman) and the large performance hall are wheelchair accessible. Each room has designated wheelchair spaces with a good view of the stage. There are lifts to each floor, and there are multiple wheelchair-accessible toilets. Wheelchair-accessible tickets can be reserved through the National Opera & Ballet box office (telephone number +31 (0) 20 6255 455).

Boom Chicago

Boom Chicago is a popular English-language comedy club and improv theatre along Amsterdam’s Rozengracht. Some of its best-known alumni include international comedians Seth Meyers, Jordan Peele, Jason Sudeikis, and Kay Cannon. In addition to stand-up shows and improv nights, Boom Chicago hosts comedy classes and workshops. 

There is a spacious staff-operated wheelchair platform lift to the right of Boom Chicago’s main entrance steps. The platform lift is up approximately 7 cm from the street level. If you need the wheelchair platform lift, be sure to inform the Boom Chicago staff beforehand by emailing hello@boomchicago.nl or by calling +31 (0) 20 2170 400. Once inside, the main performance hall, cloakroom and bar are wheelchair accessible. Boom Chicago has a wheelchair-friendly toilet with a (rather heavy) sliding door. The Upstairs Theatre and Attic Theatre are not wheelchair accessible, as they can only be accessed by a staircase.

Royal Theatre Carré

Royal Theatre Carré (Carré for short) is one of the most well-known theatres in The Netherlands. Inside is a spectacular performance hall with ornate chandeliers and over 1,700 plush red seats. Over the years, Carré has hosted international musicals, opera performances, stand-up comedians, cabaret, and dance shows. 

To the right of Carré’s main entrance, there is a step-free entrance (but with a threshold of approximately 5 cm). There are lifts to every floor, and the cloakroom is wheelchair accessible, as are areas with Carré’s foyer and bars. There are three ground-floor wheelchair spaces in the main performance hall. A Carré staff member will guide wheelchair users on the accessible route along a 4-metre (18% incline) long ramp into the main performance hall. At your request, a staff member can take your drink order before the show starts and bring your order during a show’s intermission. Carré has two wheelchair-friendly toilets. If you would like to book a wheelchair ticket, please contact Carré in advance by emailing service@carre.nl or by calling +31 (0) 20 5249 453.

Bimhuis

Located just a short distance from Amsterdam Central Station, Bimhuis is the place to enjoy live jazz music in Amsterdam. Since opening its doors in 1974, Bimhuis has been a much-loved music venue in Amsterdam. The venue now hosts over 300 annual jazz concerts by musicians from the Netherlands and beyond.

To enter Bimhuis step-free, head toward the Muziekgebouw Aan’t IJ/ Bimhuis building and stroll down toward the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam. Turn toward Bimhuis and pass the Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre, entering the building from the ground floor. Inside, a lift takes you up to Bimhuis on the third floor. The Bimhuis concert hall has four wheelchair spaces on the balcony. To reserve a wheelchair space, email info@bimhuis.nl. The Bimhuis restaurant is also wheelchair accessible, and there is a wheelchair-friendly toilet.

ITA

Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA) is another theatre favourite in Amsterdam. Located on Leidseplein in a building from 1894, ITA showcases a range of dance and theatre performances in Dutch, English, and other languages. 

ITA’s entrance has a revolving door, which can be opened to create a spacious threshold-free entrance. Accessible seating in the theatre hall must be reserved in advance for wheelchair users and companions. This can be done by phoning the box office at +31 (0) 20 624 2311. Please note that mobility scooters are not permitted. ITA has several wheelchairs available for visitors to borrow. ITA has lifts. There is a wheelchair-friendly toilet located on the ground floor.

Josephine Rees is the founder of Able Amsterdam, a website about wheelchair-friendly places and activities in Amsterdam. For more information, follow Josephine on Instagram and check out the Able Amsterdam website.