If you are looking for a destination where you can show up and be your authentic self without hesitation, then Amsterdam might be the city for you! When it comes to the best gay cities in Europe, Amsterdam easily makes the top ten list time after time…and in 2026, with WorldPride coming to Amsterdam, it’s about to get a whole lot gayer.
In Amsterdam, LGBTQ travellers can feel welcome wherever they explore. The city has numerous neighbourhoods all over the city dedicated to the LGBTQ community, where you’ll find gay bars, clubs, and hotels.
Aside from the gay scene, with its iconic winding canals and beautiful architecture, Amsterdam has something to offer every traveller. Gay travellers in Amsterdam will feel at home in this welcoming city which has long been at the forefront of LGBTQ activism and fight for acceptance.
Gay in Amsterdam: Is Amsterdam gay friendly?
It’s no surprise that Amsterdam is often regarded as one of the friendliest cities in the world for the LGBTQ community. The Netherlands, more broadly, is a culturally liberal country and has historically been a leader in the fight for gay rights. In 2001, it became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage.
In 2019, a Eurobarometer poll reported that 97% of Dutch people agreed that gay, lesbian, and bisexual people should have the same rights as straight people (the second highest percentage in the EU). Amsterdam has long been at the centre of LGBTQ culture in the Netherlands, home to some of its earliest gay bars and clubs.
You’ll have no trouble finding hotels that welcome gay guests, and it’s unlikely for you to encounter issues when displaying affection in public.
Are there gay areas in Amsterdam?
You’ll find Amsterdam’s LGBTQ communities and nightlife scattered throughout the city, but the bars and clubs are concentrated along:
- Warmoesstraat
- Zeedijk
- Reguliersdwarsstraat
- Amstel
- Kerkstraat
These streets make up the main gay districts in Amsterdam. Along with nightlife, you’ll also find gay-owned and gay-friendly shops, restaurants, and cafes in these areas, as well as a high density of LGBTQ locals.
Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat
Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat are the areas where you’ll find the best parties in Amsterdam. Zeedijk sits right at the edge of the city’s famous Red Light District and holds historic importance for its LGBTQ community. Warmoesstraat is a bit more relaxed than Zeedjik and is home to Amsterdam’s leather scene.
Reguliersdwarsstraat
Reguliersdwarsstraat is considered the main gay street in Amsterdam. It’s the heart of Amsterdam’s gay scene and is packed with bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Amstel
Around Amstel River, you’ll find a buzzing, vibrant gay district packed with traditional Dutch bars and historic queer establishments. You might also encounter pop-up performances. The area offers prime viewing spots during Amsterdam Pride celebrations.
Kerkstraat
Kerkstraat is the oldest gay area in Amsterdam, close to the Leidseplein nightlife district. This street runs through the heart of the city and intersects with Reguliersdwarsstraat. It’s home to some of Amsterdam’s most iconic gay institutions, including Club Church.
Celebrating Pride in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Pride
Amsterdam Pride is held each year around the first week of August, and is one of the best Pride celebrations you’ll ever experience. It usually runs for over a week, with a range of performances, events, and exhibitions.
The march doesn’t just stay on the streets, and the highlight of the festivities is the Canal Parade that floats over Amsterdam’s canals (including the Amstel River) from Westerdok to Oosterdok. This parade ends the main event, and you’ll find the closing party at Rembrandtplein once it’s over.
WorldPride 2026
Whilst Amsterdam Pride itself is huge, it’s about to level up, because for the first time ever, in 2026 Amsterdam will be hosting WorldPride.
WorldPride Amsterdam will take place from the 25th of July to the 8th of August 2026. It’s worth noting that when WorldPride happens in Europe, it is also considered to be the official EuroPride for that year.
Expect all the usual festivities around Amsterdam Pride but with added extras to look out for, including the World Pride Music Festival. This will bring together global headliners, cutting-edge DJs, and thousands of partygoers.
If last year’s World Pride Festival in DC is anything to go by, you aren’t going to want to miss out on this one.
Top things to see and do in Amsterdam
When it comes to some of the best things to see and do in Amsterdam, make sure you tick off the following experiences:
Bike the city
Amsterdam is famous for its bicycles, in fact the city has more bicycles than people, with an estimated 1.2 million bikes for a population of 920,000 residents.
So if you are looking to have a local experience in Amsterdam, what better way to see the city than to hire a bike and explore.
Visit the Rijksmuseum
For Art lovers, the Rijksmuseum is the largest art museum in the Netherlands and showcases more than 8,000 works of Dutch art and history including pieces by Vermeer, Van Gogh, and Jan Steen
Evening River Cruise
Amsterdam is famous for its canals and waterways, so what better way to see the city come to life at night. Take an evening cruise along the canals with a glass of wine in hand as the sun sets and the city lights up.
A’DAM LOOKOUT
If you have seen the city by bike and by water, why not see the city from above at the A’DAM LOOKOUT.
The A’DAM LOOKOUT is an observation deck atop the A’DAM Tower in Amsterdam North, offering stunning views of the city, its port, canals, and polder landscape.
Simply lookout to the city or thrill seekers can swing over the edge at 100 meters high on the ‘Over the Edge’ swing.
How to get to Amsterdam
Amsterdam is well connected internationally, making it easy to travel to and from with regular flights and overground options.
Amsterdam’s airport is Schiphol Airport, serving both international and domestic flights. From the airport, you can access the city by train in around 17 minutes or by the Airport Express bus in around 30 minutes.
For extra convenience, you can of course take a cab. Flights from London are just over an hour, perfect for a long weekend.
Gay bars in Amsterdam
Whether you’re looking for dance floors or drag shows, Amsterdam’s gay bars have something for you. Along the city’s main gay streets, you’ll find a range of different options, from party spots to laid-back eateries.
There are bars with immense historic importance to Amsterdam’s LGBTQ community as well as recently opened hangouts that have already made their mark on locals. If you’re looking to spend an evening in Amsterdam, the only “issue” you’ll run into is having too many choices.
Take a look at this shortlist of Amsterdam’s best gay bars to help you decide where to start.
Cafe ‘t Mandje
Opened in 1927 by the pioneering LGBTQ rights activist Bet van Beeran, Cafe ‘t Mandje was the first official gay bar in Amsterdam. Its motto is “Fun and Respect since 1927.” Its interior is decorated with a wide array of fascinating and quirky memorabilia showing its historic roots. This bar offers a cosy spot, complete with a billiards table and jukebox.
Cafe Montmartre
Cafe Montmartre is beloved for its disco-themed decor and friendly staff. Karaoke is a regular fixture, showcasing hits from the 1980s with modern-day chart-toppers. It’s a great option as a meetup point if you’re with a large group, and it often hosts birthday parties and other events. It also organises live performances and offers amazing prices during happy hour, from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Bar BLEND
Bar BLEND, in Reguliersdwarsstraat, stretches across two floors, with bar tables on the ground floor and a lounge area on the upper floor. Downstairs has the DJ and upstairs has the cocktail bar. One of its most popular attractions is Drag Bingo.
It has a range of different queens hosting, as well as drag performances throughout the week. Just down the road, you’ll find the newly opened BLEND XL, the big brother of Bar BLEND which offers a wider space but the same fun vibe.
SoHo
SoHo is a British-style bar, in Reguliersdwarsstraat, with a dance floor and great music. If you prefer to sit down and chat with friends, you’ll find comfortable leather seats amid cosy bookshelves. It does get crowded, and when that happens, the second floor opens its bar so you won’t have to wait long for your drinks.
There’ll always be a DJ playing pop tunes and dance hits, and there are also occasional live performances from some of Amsterdam’s best LGBTQ musicians and performance artists.
Prik
Prik is a popular gay hangout in Amsterdam’s old town that’s very popular with locals. They pride themselves on offering a relaxed, no-fuss space where you can settle in with great food and fun drinks. It hosts “Boardgayme” nights, a fantastic way to meet gay people in Amsterdam in a casual setting.
Prik’s decor isn’t to be missed either. It’s a totally pink venue, beautifully lit, with comfortable pink couches inside and pink bar tables out on the terrace. Prik has been named Time Out’s “Best Gay Venue of Amsterdam” multiple times and won the Rainbow Award for “Best Gay Bar.” It also has Prosecco (both white and pink) on tap.
Bar Buka
Bar Buka is a relatively new lesbian bar in Amsterdam’s Pijp district, with the slogan “Where Girls Meet.” Although Amsterdam is packed with gay bars, establishments focused on queer women are rare and Bar Buka aims to highlight Amsterdam’s LGBTQ women. Although the majority of the clientele are women, everyone is welcome here. If you’re looking for a relaxed way to kill some time and meet new people,
Bar Buka is the best place to visit. You can watch football on the TV and play board games by the bar. On weekends, they sometimes clear tables for a makeshift dance floor. Order from their range of cocktails, including the “Femme” (Chambord and Prosecco), “Pride” (Triple Sec, Bulleit Bourbon, and bitter lemon), and the non-alcoholic “Lesbeau” (elderflower syrup, lime juice, and sparkling water).
Queer Bar Lellebel
Just around the corner from Rembrandtplein, you’ll find Queer Bar Lellebel which self describes as ‘the only tiny alternative indie grunge rock queer bar in Amsterdam’.
The bar is a trans/queer womyn owned and operated with the first weeks of the month being “pub nights” without any planned events. The last weekends of the month they host queer-centric events such as Comedy, Friday Night Karaoke and Drag Shows. Every Sunday is a dedicated Karaoke Night.
Club Church
To finish strong, if you ask any gay local where to go for a somewhat wild gay night out in Amsterdam, then they may well suggest that you go to church, Club Church that is.
Club Church is a relatively intimate venue split over three floors. The ground floor is typically for drinks and music, the mezzanine floor just above and finally the lower levels where you will find the darkrooms etc. This bar is known for its cruising scene after all.
Make sure to check exactly what night is on at Club Church before you go, some nights are aimed at different parts of the community and some nights have specific themes and dress codes.
Gay club nights and parties in Amsterdam
Amsterdam can offer you everything from a casual night, to a full on all-nighter and everything in between. There are plenty of gay clubs and pop-up parties where you can dance the night away. Some parties run just a few times a year and others are a weekly affair. You can find them concentrated in Amsterdam’s gay districts, and you’ll also find numerous options in the city’s famous Red Light District.
BACKDOOR
BACKDOOR is one of the hottest parties in Amsterdam with huge productions, tribal, house and circuit music, and incredible performers. The party is held multiple times a year, check its website to see when the next event is on.
Club NYX
If you visited Amsterdam in the 1990s or 2000s, you might have spent some nights dancing at Club Exit. In 2010, Exit closed its doors, but by October 2012, it was reborn as Club NYX, under the ownership of Rob de Jong, the man responsible for the (now closed) Bar ARC.
Club NYX (named after the Greek goddess of the night) welcomes all partygoers, gay and straight alike, but the main gay night for Club NYX is the 3xNYX Saturgay party (on Saturday of course!)
Rapido Group Events & Parties
Rapido Group runs some of the biggest and best gay parties in Amsterdam with the most popular being Rapido Party and Funhouse.
Expect world renowned DJ’s, huge dance spaces, cruising spaces and so much more. If you only make it to one huge gay party in Amsterdam, I would put this high up on your list.
Gay clubs in and around the Red Light District
Warmoesstraat runs through Amsterdam’s famous Red Light District and is home to a number of gay clubs and bars. In particular, it houses a number of leather bars and hosts the annual Leather Pride street party held in October. Sadly, Argos (Europe’s first leather bar) closed up shop in 2015, but there are a few clubs carrying on its legacy.
Eagle Amsterdam is a three-floor club and a popular cruising spot. Dirty Dicks, located nearby, leans into the red light part of the Red Light District. Warmoesstraat is also home to the world’s first condom shop, which opened in 1987.
Gay saunas in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has one main gay bathhouse called Sauna Nieuwezijds, located right in the heart of the city centre. The bathhouse includes a steam room, a hot tub, a Turkish bath, a Finnish sauna, a dark room, and multiple private cabins. It also has massage services on offer, and you’ll get a discount on massages with entry to the sauna.
Homomonument
In 1970, a group of LGBTQ activists laid a lavender wreath in Dam Square at the National War Memorial, in memory of queer people who were persecuted under Nazi Germany. The activists were arrested and the wreath was removed, but the incident reaffirmed the need for such a memorial.
In 1987, the Homomonument was unveiled on the bank of the Keizersgracht canal, facing the spot where the activists attempted to lay the wreath. It is made up of three pink granite triangles that rise out of the ground and are placed to form one larger triangle. The monument commemorates all victims of homophobic persecution, as well as those who have fought for LGBTQ rights and freedom.
Souvenirs and insider tips at Pink Point
Pink Point is the perfect place to start and end your trip in Amsterdam. It is the official LGBTQ information kiosk in Amsterdam located right next to the Homomonument. Come here when you arrive and its friendly staff will give you insider tips and information about current events or parties, and answer any other questions you might have. It also sells a variety of queer-themed souvenirs that will come in handy if you’re looking for mementos of your trip or gifts to take back home.
Gay hotels in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s gay-friendly culture and strong anti-discrimination laws mean you can expect most hotels in the city to welcome gay travellers and couples. Take a look at these options:
Sofitel Legend The Grand
Perhaps one of the comfiest beds in Amsterdam, the Sofitel Legend the Grand is a beautiful and luxurious hotel right in the centre of the city.
This hotel has worked hard to make sure its LGBTQ guests feel extra welcome, it’s one of a number of hotels that have trained and earned accreditations for LGBTQ travel. It also hosts pride events during Amsterdam Pride.
Conscious Hotel Westerpark
The Conscious Hotel Westerpark is a trendy hotel close to the city centre but uniquely located in a park for a slightly quieter setting.
If you are travelling to Amsterdam for some of the larger gay events and parties mentioned in this article, such as the Rapido Group parties, these are hosted in Gashouder Westergasfabriek, a few minutes walk from this hotel.
Amistad Hotel
With rainbow flags waving out front, Amistad Hotel was previously known as the “Gay-Friendly Hotel.” The name might have changed, but Amistad Hotel is still one of the most inclusive hotels in central Amsterdam. It’s within walking distance of nearby train stations, and a continental breakfast is served daily.
Quentin Golden Bear Hotel
Quentin Golden Bear Hotel is another great gay-friendly option on Kerkstraat. It’s right next to Leidseplein, so you’ll be close to Amsterdam’s nightlife.
Albus Hotel
Albus Hotel is a great option in the city centre. It’s right around the corner from Reguliersdwarsstraat and close to gay nightlife and top Amsterdam attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum.
Hotel CC
Hotel CC is close to the bars and clubs on Warmoesstraat. It’s also conveniently located near the Central Railway Station.
Where to eat in Amsterdam
With hundreds of restaurants to choose from, the decision of where to eat in Amsterdam can be overwhelming. So here are three recommendations from a local that you can check out on your next visit:
- Bennies – for something akin to fine dining with unique dishes and thoughtful touches, take a look at Bennies.
- Trattoria Toto – if you are looking for a good Italian restaurant then Trattoria Tato is a great option to grab an Aperol Spritz and enjoy one of their pasta dishes.
- Cafe Twee Prinsen – this LGBTQ friendly cafe is known for its yummy small plates and wine, in particular try some of their orange wine.
