Considered by many to be the gay capital of Europe, Amsterdam is one of the most welcoming destinations in the world for LGBTQ travellers. It has numerous neighbourhoods all over the city dedicated to the LGBTQ community, where you’ll find gay bars, clubs, and hotels. With its winding canals and beautiful architecture, Amsterdam has something to offer to every traveller. Those who are gay in Amsterdam will feel totally 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?
Amsterdam is a very gay-friendly city. In fact, it’s 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, Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amstel, and Kerkstraat. These four 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. We made a shortlist of Amsterdam’s best gay bars to help you decide.
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.
Lunchroom Downtown
Lunchroom Downtown isn’t the usual hangout you’ll be heading to in the evenings. This espresso bar is one of the most popular gay hotspots on Reguliersdwarsstraat. Opened in 1970, it was the first openly gay establishment in the area. It is a great daytime option, serving delicious coffee and a brunch-style menu. Large windows let plenty of light into the cosy interior, and in summer, the outdoor seating area is perfect for people watching along the Reguliersdwarsstraat.
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 lovely place 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).
Dragshow Bar Lellebel
Just around the corner from Rembrandtplein, you’ll experience one of the best drag nights in Amsterdam. Founded by Hans Wijtenburg in 1997, this cafe is the oldest drag bar in Amsterdam. It welcomes visitors into a small, lively space, packed with Baroque decor and a welcoming atmosphere. The queens of Lellebel provide exciting entertainment and delicious drinks. They host themed nights throughout the week, including karaoke nights on Tuesdays. On Mondays, the bar’s patrons get to take control of the music. Dragshow Bar Lellebel prides itself on being a welcoming space for all, where everyone can be a star.
Gay clubs and parties in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a party animal’s paradise, and 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 a fantastic dance party right in the heart of Amsterdam, held multiple times a year. Check its website to see if it’s going to be on when you’re in town. It’s held at Melkweg, one of Amsterdam’s most popular music venues. It attracts all members of the LGBTQ community, and you’ll find plenty of LGBTQ subcultures here whenever it’s held.
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, but the majority of its clientele are young LGBTQ locals and visitors. The party takes place across two floors, with a bar on each and multiple DJs. The lower floor is the main dance spot, while the upper floor has a spacious lounge area. Club NYX even has a DJ in the bathroom to make sure the party never stops.
Blue @ Club Church
Club Church is one of Amsterdam’s most unique LGBTQ establishments, hosting events for all subcultures within the city’s queer community. It’s a popular cruising spot, and there are parties almost every day of the week. Blue bills itself as “Amsterdam’s most absurd dance party” and runs every Thursday, with a different theme each week. You can expect over-the-top, camp performances at this party that celebrates the misfits and the outcasts. There’s no dress code and you won’t look out of place dressed casual or super over the top. If you come in drag, you’ll get in for free.
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. We’ve highlighted a few of the best hotels in Amsterdam for LGBTQ travellers.
Hotels on Kerkstraat
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 is another great gay-friendly option on Kerkstraat. It’s right next to Leidseplein, so you’ll be close to Amsterdam’s nightlife.
Hotels close to gay nightlife
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 is close to the bars and clubs on Warmoesstraat. It’s also conveniently located near the Central Railway Station..
