PAARD is the go-to venue for live music in The Hague. From pop and rock to hip-hop, jazz, world music and dance – the programming is diverse and full of surprises. Besides concerts, there's also room for comedy, club nights and other cultural events.
The iconic building on Prinsengracht houses two concert halls and a foyer that can also be rented for private parties, conferences, video recordings, and meetings:
- Grolsch Hall (capacity: 1,100)
- Small Hall (capacity: 300)
- Foyer (capacity: 100)
Paardcafé and GR8
The Paardcafé is the place to discover new acts and DJs, with weekly free performances by up-and-coming talent. It offers space for around 200 visitors.
Next to the Paardcafé is GR8: a 1,200 m² cultural hub in the heart of The Hague’s pop district. It includes office spaces, retail units, meeting rooms and a small theatre. These workspaces are used by musical and creative entrepreneurs. GR8 is a collaboration between PAARD and AnnA.
History of PAARD
PAARD, formerly known as Paard van Troje, has been a staple of The Hague’s music scene since 1972. Over the years, big names like U2, Prince and Pearl Jam have performed here. In 2003, the building was redesigned by renowned architect Rem Koolhaas. He created a modular concert hall with retractable balconies. By placing the stage in the center of the room, a unique arena-like setting was born – with artists surrounded 360° by the audience. Intimate, bold and exciting: a whole new way to experience the iconic Grolsch Hall. Since 2017, the venue has simply been known as PAARD.
