Information

Why celebrate your birthday at IJver?

A birthday deserves more than a standard venue. It deserves a place where you truly feel at home, where your guests feel special, and where everything becomes unforgettable. IJver offers exactly that.

We are located at the NDSM wharf, Amsterdam’s creative hotspot where artists, restaurants, and cultural energy come together. Celebrating your birthday here doesn’t feel like a commercial event, but something genuine and special.

Whether you’re turning 25 and want to party with your friends, 50 and want to dine with your loved ones and family, or celebrating a milestone with your closest people, we have the space, the catering, and the atmosphere to make it unforgettable.

Key Strengths of IJver for Birthdays

A venue full of character
A former shipbuilding warehouse feels very different from a standard function room. With high ceilings, original beams and an industrial atmosphere, your guests are sure to be impressed. It’s a place where your birthday will truly be memorable.

Flexible Venues
Whether small and intimate or large and vibrant, we have what you need. From 7 people in Het Ruim to 400 in the NDSM Theatre. Each with its own atmosphere and possibilities.

Your Own Bar
Some venues have their own bar where you can serve yourself cocktails, beer, wine and other drinks. No hassle with ordering – it’s all for you and your guests.

Fully Customised Catering
From canapés and drinks to a full dinner. We’ll create a menu that suits you – your favourite dishes, your budget and your preferences. It’ll feel like your party, not like a run-of-the-mill catering service.

Free Parking Spaces
Your guests won’t have to hunt for parking spaces in Amsterdam. Everything is free and nearby.

Space for Everything
Dance floor? Check. DJ set-up? Check. Decorating options? Check. Live band? Check. Photographer? Check. Whatever you want for your birthday, this venue has it all.

Your birth year determines your birthday

Birthday Up to 30 People

An intimate celebration with your closest friends and family. These are usually your most cherished birthday memories, where you feel seen, heard, and appreciated.

At IJver, Het Ruim provides the perfect setting for this type of celebration. It is secluded, but not closed off you can feel the energy of IJver while enjoying your privacy. Ideal for:

• Intimate dinner with friends and family
• Milestone birthdays (25, 30, 40, 50, etc.) with the focus on one person
• Cozy drinks with snacks
• Lovely evening with yourself and your loved ones

Space Options: Het Ruim (up to 48 seated, 50 for drinks)

Styles that work well:

• Intimate dinner with a three-course menu
• Cocktail hour with snacks and fine drinks
• Casual drinks with snacks and beverages
• Dessert and drinks party (for late arrivals)

Tips for this format: Het Ruim feels warm and enclosed, perfect for conversation. You can set beautiful tables, place candles, play music it truly becomes your party.

Birthday 30–80 People

Now it’s a real party. These are your friends, family, colleagues, the people who matter in your life. More space, more possibilities, more energy.

De Boeg or Het Achtersteven both work well. De Boeg has its own bar, ideal for cocktails and drinks, while Het Achtersteven is more relaxing. You can also combine them for even more space.

Space options:

• De Boeg alone: 60 people for drinks, 34 people for dinner
• Het Achtersteven: 50 people for drinks, 40 people for dinner
• De Boeg + Achtersteven partially: 80–100 people

Styles that work well:

• Walking dinner, people circulate, eat snacks, drink, less formal, more interactive
• Cocktail party with food stations
• Diner with speeches en entertainment
• Drinks-to-dinner, start with drinks/walking dinner, then transition to a seated dinner

De Boeg bonus: If you choose De Boeg, you get a private bar. It feels like your place, you can serve yourself, help your friends, and it feels more like partying at home, but with catering.

Birthday 80+ People – The Big Celebration

This is the full monty. Your friends, family, colleagues, your network everyone. This deserves a proper setting.

De Boeg + Achtersteven combined, Het Dok, or the NDSM Theater give you all the space you need. This is no longer intimate this is a real party.

Space options:

• De Boeg + Achtersteven (120–130 people, private bar, many configuration options)
• Het Dok (150 people, indoor-outdoor, unique atmosphere)
• NDSM Theater (up to 400 people, ideal for very large birthdays)

Styles that work well:

• Full dinner format with speeches, acknowledgments, and entertainment
• Cocktail party with multiple food stations
• Drinks with dinner elements (some seated, others standing)
• Band/DJ setup with dance area
• Multi-room concept, cocktails in De Boeg, dinner in Achtersteven, dancing in both

Het Dok bonus: If you want to use the outdoor terrace, it feels like a luxury outdoor party in the heart of Amsterdam. Truly unforgettable.

Practical tips for your birthday

Timing and Planning

How far in advance should I book?
For a birthday party, you can usually book 4–6 weeks in advance. The larger your event, the sooner you should book. Please get in touch as soon as you have a date.

When is a good time?
Birthdays can be celebrated at any time of day. Popular times include:

• Friday evening (21:00–23:00), party until late
• Saturday afternoon (15:00–18:00), drinks/early dinner
• Saturday evening (20:00–23:00), full dinner & party
• Sunday afternoon (16:00–20:00), relaxed dinner

How long does it take?
A birthday party usually lasts 3-4 hours. A cocktail party can be 2-3 hours. Dinner with entertainment can be 4-5 hours. You decide.

Catering en Menu

What is your budget?
This determines your catering package. You can choose from €25 per person (drinks and canapés) to €100+ per person (luxury dinner with champagne).

What sort of food do you like?
Let us know. Italian, Asian, French, modern Dutch – we’ll work with you. Your catering team will put together some suggestions.

What about dietary requirements?
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies – it doesn’t matter. We can cater for everything.

Drinks?
Open bar, limited bar, non-alcoholic – it’s up to you. For certain set-ups, you can serve drinks yourself from your own bar.

Entertainment and Atmosphere

Fancy some music?
You can bring your own DJ, play music via the speaker, or book a band. IJver can accommodate anything.

Would you like some decorations?
Yes! Balloons, flowers, lighting, photos – the shipyard warehouse is neutral enough that anything will work. Discuss your plans in advance.

Photographer?
Perfect. The warehouse is fantastic for photography – that industrial atmosphere, the high ceilings, the light.

Speeches and toasts?
The room has good acoustics. Your friends can speak and everyone can hear them.

Group Size Guide, Which Space to Choose?

7–20 People

Het Ruim or De Boeg alone work perfectly. Intimate, characterful, private bar possible (De Boeg).

Popular setup: Seated dinner or drinks with snacks

20–50 People

De Boeg is your best choice. Private bar, cozy, but also space for multiple setups (standing, seated, dancing).

Popular setups: Walking dinner, cocktail party, dinner with dancing

50–100 People

De Boeg + Achtersteven combined gives you flexibility. You can have cocktails in De Boeg, dinner in Achtersteven, and dancing in both.

Popular setups: Cocktail hour + dinner, multi-room party

100–200 People

The Dock inside outside, or The Bow + Stern + extra space. This is truly a party.

Popular setups: Full dinner event, party with dance floor, outdoor terrace moment

200+ People

NDSM Theater or rent the entire IJver. This is your moment to go all out.

Popular setups: Large party with entertainment, concert, full day of event

Inspiration: Birthday formats

Format 1: Intimate Dinner 20 to 40 people

18:30, Guests arrive, aperitif in De Boeg
19:00, Move to dinner seated in Het Ruim or Achtersteven
19:15, Starter
19:45, Main course
20:30, Dessert
21:00, Coffee and conviviality / dancing optional

This feels cosy, intimate, and very personal.

Format 2: Cocktail Party 40 to 100 people

20:00, Guests arrive, cocktails and bites walking dinner style
20:30, Mingling, music, drinks
21:30, Possible toasts/speeches
22:00, Continue partying, dancing

This feels more open, interactive, energetic.

Format 3: Drinks to Dinner 50 to 120 people

19:00, Drinks with bites standing, walking dinner
19:30, Transition to dinner
20:00, Seated dinner begins
21:00, Dessert and speeches
21:30, Dancing

This feels like the best of both worlds, casual start, then more formal.

Format 4: Grand Party (150-400 people)

19:00, Cocktail hour at De Boeg / outside on the Dok terrace
20:00, Move to dinner at Achtersteven / NDSM Theatre
20:30, Dinner
21:30, Speeches, toasts, and possibly some entertainment
22:00, Party, dancing and further mingling

This is your real big party with all the possibilities.

Frequently asked questions, Birthdays

How old am I actually? And am I still allowed to party?

Ha! You are one year older and you are DEFINITELY still allowed to party. Birthdays are for everyone, from 1 to 100 years old. IJver has hosted birthdays for all ages.

What if I do not know how many guests are coming?

This is normal. You give us an estimated range for example 40 to 60 and we choose a space that is flexible. If it ends up being 35 or 65, we adjust. Discuss this in advance with our team.

Can I bring my own drinks or food?

Usually not, we want to guarantee that everything goes well. But get in touch; for certain situations we can allow exceptions.

What if I do not want to celebrate my birthday on my actual day?

That is fine! Many people celebrate their birthday on the closest weekend. You decide when you celebrate.

Can I decorate however I want?

Yes, within reason. Tell us in advance what you are planning. We are also happy to help you with suggestions that work well in the industrial atmosphere of IJver.

Is there wifi, music, speaker?

Yes, everything. Wifi for your phone, speaker for music, option for microphone for speeches. Everything is available.

What about photography?

That is fine. The warehouse is photographically amazing. Many guests want photos and videos, that is part of it. Of course you can also hire your own photographer.

Can I hire a DJ?

Yes. You can bring your own DJ, or we can provide contacts of reliable DJs in Amsterdam.

What does a birthday at IJver cost?

This depends on:
– Group size
– Which venue you hire
– Catering level (drinks and canapés vs. a full dinner)
– Extras (DJ, entertainment, decorations)

We always make a tailored proposal. Get in touch for an indication.

How long does the preparation take?

Step 1: Get in touch (today)
Step 2: Consultation (by phone or face-to-face)
Step 3: Proposal and quote
Step 4: Confirmation
Step 5: Finalise the details (menu, timing, decorations)
Step 6: Celebrate your birthday!

Total approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

What if it rains and I wanted to use The Dock?

The Dock is an inside outside space, so some rain is not a problem. But for heavy rain showers we can sit inside.

Can I hang decorations in advance?

Usually on the day itself. Discuss this in advance with our team.

Are there toilets?

Yes, full toilet facilities.

Disabled parking spaces?

Yes, we have parking spaces available. Let us know in advance.

Until what time can we stay?

This varies per day and space. Weekend usually until 23:00 or 00:00. Discuss your preference in advance.

What is your cancellation policy?

You discuss this when booking. Normally we have flexible policies, especially for unforeseen circumstances.