When I was in Amsterdam a few months ago, I got to spend some time in the rapidly evolving NDSM-werf section of Noord Amsterdam. Not long ago, this area, which once was home to an enormous shipbuilding and warehousing complex, was the territory of squatters, artists, and skate punks. Now the decaying dockland has sprouted restaurants, bars, artist studio complexes, markets, hotels, and even an artificial beach.
The most recent addition to NDSM, opening just this weekend, is Sexyland. Located in a former warehouse, the unique club hopes to add even more variety to the burgeoning cultural hotspot. The aim is to offer a completely different event or activity 365 days a year. Every night will be different, everything from art shows to food events, hip-hop to jazz.
Sexyland has a one-of-a-kind ownership model. Each year, 365 people will pay a fee that entitles them to use the club for one day to host any event of their choosing. They can invite guests or just charge an admission fee. This experimental cooperative business model has been kicking around Amsterdam for a while now. In fact, the name Sexyland comes from a defunct x-rated cinema in the Red Light District which was original going to be the club’s home
Check it out the next time that you’re in Amsterdam. NDSM is just a free 15-minute ferry ride from the Central Station. And, by the way, that is a derelict Soviet submarine at the GVB ferry dock.






