PAARD in Den Haag

Concerts, club nights, spoken word, debate and festivals share the calendar. The Main Hall handles the largest productions, while the Small Hall and Paardcafé offer closer settings for performers and audiences.

The organisation began in 1972 under the name Paard van Troje. Its current programme continues that long-running role in The Hague's music culture.

The architecture office dates the commission from 1995 to 2003. Its project account places most of the newer building behind an older monumental street front and names Floris Alkemade and Rem Koolhaas as partners.

Read the individual event page for the date, door time, start time, room, age rule and seating layout. Some productions use an external ticket seller; the link on PAARD's listing identifies the relevant seller.

PAARD opens around scheduled events rather than keeping daily visitor hours. Its evening box office operates for concerts and paid programmes and is normally closed for free events. A ticket can be scanned from a phone or paper.

Current organiser information publishes limits of 1,150 people in the Main Hall, 350 in the Small Hall and 175 in Paardcafé, including guest-list places. The safe attendance number and layout can be lower for a particular production.

Paardcafé is the exception: PAARD reports that the historic building prevents wheelchair access to that room. Confirm the named room before buying.

Because the available places are limited, send a request no later than seven days before the show and preferably sooner. PAARD also participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme.

From Den Haag Centraal, PAARD currently points to trams 2, 3, 4 or 6 and the Grote Markt stop. From Den Haag HS, its route page names trams 16 or 9 towards Kalvermarkt/Stadhuis; buses 22 and 24 serve Centrum. Check live HTM information because routes can change.

PAARD lists reservable commercial parking near Prinsegracht. Den Haag Binnenstad and Paviljoensgracht are roughly a three-minute walk; Snoekstraat is farther away and is the garage the venue marks as wheelchair accessible.

The current visitor FAQ lists medium lockers from €3.50 and large lockers from €6.50. Payment is by card or a QR flow on a phone; prices may change.

Leave large backpacks, strollers and other bulky objects at home. A simple camera may be used without flash, while professional equipment needs approval from the venue or artist. The entrance and bars accept debit cards, Visa and Mastercard.

Concerts are normally 14+ unless the listing says otherwise. Someone under 14 may attend with an adult aged 18 or over. Activities after 23:00 normally form part of the 18+ night programme, so bring valid identification.

PAARD recommends ear protection and sells suitable products at the foyer bar.