Considered by many to be the gay capital of Europe, Amsterdam is one of the best destinations in the world for LGBTQIA+ travellers. It has multiple gay streets threaded throughout the city, where you’ll find gay bars, clubs, and hotels. With its winding canals and beautiful architecture, Amsterdam has something to offer every traveller. Those who are gay in Amsterdam will feel totally at home in this welcoming city which has long been on the cutting edge of LGBTQIA+ rights and acceptance.
Gay in Amsterdam: is Amsterdam gay-friendly?
Amsterdam is a very gay-friendly city. In fact, it’s often thought of as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world. The Netherlands, more broadly, is a very culturally liberal country and has historically been a leader in the fight for gay rights internationally. In 2001, they 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 LGBTQIA+ 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 you’ll be very unlikely to encounter issues when displaying affection in public.
Are there gay areas in Amsterdam?
You’ll find Amsterdam’s LGBTQIA+ communities and nightlife throughout the city, but the bars and clubs do concentrate 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, along with a high density of LGBTQIA+ locals.
Amstel
Around Amstel River, you’ll find a buzzing, vibrant gay district that’s packed with traditional Dutch bars and historic queer establishments. You might also encounter pop-up performances, and it offers prime viewing spots during Amsterdam Pride celebrations.
Reguliersdwarsstraat
Reguliersdwarsstraat is generally considered to be 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 Amsterdam and intermingles with Reguliersdwarsstraat. It’s home to some of Amsterdam’s most iconic gay institutions, including Club Church.
Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat
Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat are where you’ll find the party in Amsterdam. Zeedijk sits right at the edge of the city’s famous Red Light District and hold’s historic importance for Amsterdam’s LGBTQIA+ 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. Amsterdam Pride usually takes place over a week, with a range of performances, events, and exhibitions.
The march doesn’t stick to the streets here, 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 closes out 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 LGBTQIA+ community and new-on-the-scene bars that have already made their mark. If you’re looking to spend an evening in Amsterdam, the only issue you’ll run into is too much choice. We’ve detailed a few of Amsterdam’s best gay bars to help make your decision a little easier.
Cafe ‘t Mandje
Cafe ‘t Mandje was the first official gay bar in Amsterdam, opened in 1927 by Bet van Beeren, a lesbian who was a pioneer of LGBTQIA+ rights in the Netherlands. The bar’s motto is “Fun and Respect since 1927”. It’s decorated with a wide array of fascinating and quirky memorabilia, leaning into its historic roots. This bar is a great, cozy spot, complete with a billiards table and jukebox.
Lunchroom Downtown
Lunchroom Downtown isn’t necessarily the bar you’ll be heading to in the evenings. This espresso bar is one of the most popular gay hotspots on Reguliersdwarsstraat, and it was the first openly gay establishment in the area, opened in 1970. 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, and they blend hits from the 80s with modern-day chart toppers. It’s a great place to gather if you’re with a large group, and they often host birthday parties and other events. They sometimes host live performances and have great 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 features is Drag Bingo.
They have a range of different queens hosting, and there are also frequent 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 more space and the same great 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, but when it’s busy, the second floor opens its bar so you won’t have to wait as 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 LGBTQIA+ musicians and performance artists.
Prik
Prik is a popular gay hangout spot 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 some great food and fun drinks. They even host “Boardgayme” nights, which are a great 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. They’ve been named Time Out’s “Best Gay Venue of Amsterdam” multiple times and won the Rainbow Award for “Best Gay Bar”. They also have 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 rarer and Bar Buka aims to highlight Amsterdam’s LGBTQIA+ 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 a great place to do it. They often have football on the TV and board games by the bar. On weekends, they’ll sometimes clear tables for a makeshift dance floor. Order from their range of cocktails, including the “Femme” (Chambord and Prosecco), “Pride” (Triple Sec, Bulleit Bourgon 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 find 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, while 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 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 their 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 LGBTQIA+ community, and you’ll find representatives of plenty of LGBTQIA+ subcultures here whenever it’s held.
Club NYX
If you visited Amsterdam in the 90s or 2000s, you might have spent the night 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 LGBTQIA+ 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 LGBTQIA+ establishments, hosting events for all subcultures within the city’s queer community. It’s a popular cruising spot, and there are usually parties 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’s home to a number of leather bars, and it usually plays host to 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, 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 jacuzzi, 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 LGBTQIA+ activists laid a lavender wreath in Dam Square at the National War Memorial, in memory of homosexuals who were persecuted under Nazi Germany.
The activists were arrested and the wreath 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 their 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 LGBTQIA+ rights and freedoms.
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 LGBTQIA+ information kiosk in Amsterdam and it’s right next to the Homomonument. Head here when you first arrive and their friendly staff will be able to give you insider tips and information about current events or parties, as well as answer any other questions you might have. They also have a range of queer souvenirs that are perfect 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 gay 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 best gay-friendly hotels in central Amsterdam. It’s within easy 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 within moments of 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 like the Van Gogh Museum. Hotel CC is close to the bars and clubs on Warmoesstraat. It’s also conveniently close to Central Railway Station.
