
Amsterdam is a visually hanging metropolis made up of picturesque canals, colourful homes with gabled facades, vibrant tulip gardens, bustling cafes, and scenic pathways good for the favored Dutch pastime of biking. Topping the listing of gay-friendly locations, town of canals is an oasis for vacationers who can let unfastened, exhibiting their true colours in some of the liberal-minded cities on the map. The Netherlands has a progressive historical past relating to tolerance and rights for minorities. It even set the bar in 2001 as the primary nation to formally acknowledge same-sex marriage.
Amsterdam has additionally labored laborious to scrub up its popularity because the debauched celebration metropolis of Europe over the previous few years. Whereas earlier than, many knew the Dutch capital for its red-light district, bachelor party-filled bars, and marijuana-selling cafes, now it’s higher recognized for its world-class museums, modern galleries, sprawling out of doors areas, and eating places serving up the most effective of Dutch delicacies—just like the scrumptious stroopwafels!
All that stated, town has retained the most effective of its nightlife, solely inside a extra managed style, and its homosexual scene nonetheless thrives with bars, golf equipment and cruising institutions drawing in LGBTQ+ partygoers because the evening falls over the canals.
Desk of Contents
1. Common Suggestions
2. Transportation & Airport Switch
3. Homosexual Motels in Amsterdam
4. Sightseeing & Actions in Amsterdam
5. Amsterdam Homosexual Excursions
6. Eating places and Cafes
7. Amsterdam Homosexual Bars and Golf equipment
8. Amsterdam Homosexual Saunas & Cruising Bars
9. Homosexual Occasions in Amsterdam
10. Day Journeys from Amsterdam
Common Suggestions
As is commonly the case, particularly in Europe, should you’re fortunate sufficient to have flexibility while you journey, then the most effective time to go to Amsterdam is both in spring (April/Could) or fall (September/October). That means, you keep away from the dangerous climate of the winter months and the vacationer hordes throughout the summer season.
Reguliersdwarsstraat is the official “homosexual road” in Amsterdam, though there are different golf equipment and bars exterior of it. It’s situated within the canal ring simply south of the middle. There, you’ll discover the vast majority of the motion. Amsterdam has labored to vary its popularity as a metropolis of intercourse and drunken partying to one among tradition and sweetness, largely resulting from it being the favored spot of bachelor and bachelorette events of different Europeans. The town nonetheless has nice homosexual nightlife, nevertheless it pays to be further respectful of locals when out in town and never add to the dangerous popularity of international guests or find yourself on the mistaken facet of the regulation.
The Netherlands is a really liberal place relating to intercourse work and mushy medicine. One of many points of interest of Amsterdam to many are the “coffeeshops” the place you’ll be able to really purchase and smoke (or eat!) marijuana legally—the Otherside Coffeeshop being the homosexual favourite on the town. Be aware, nonetheless, that as of Could 25, 2023, it’s unlawful to smoke marijuana on the road within the outdated metropolis middle (Crimson Mild District, Nieuwmarkt, and Dam Sq.) with potential fines of €100. Prostitution can also be nonetheless authorized of their world-famous Crimson Mild District, however below new guidelines, intercourse staff should shut their venues at 3 a.m.
You possibly can obtain the Homosexual Amsterdam information without spending a dime. Simply present your e-mail tackle and we’ll e-mail you a PDF.
Transportation & Airport Transport
Public transport in Amsterdam is efficient and simple to make use of. When you’re flying in, you’ll arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Merely catch the practice at Schiphol to journey on to Amsterdam Central Station, which solely takes about quarter-hour. From Amsterdam Central Station, you’ll be able to switch strains or stroll to your lodge or lodging, relying on the place you’re staying. The one-way practice journey prices about €6.
Public transport in Amsterdam consists of trams, buses, and metros. Essentially the most handy possibility for guests is a disposable one-hour card or day card (legitimate for one to seven days). One-hour tickets might be purchased from the conductor or driver on the tram or bus. Day tickets might be purchased on the tram or bought upfront. Driving in Amsterdam is basically not suggested, as even the locals concede that town was very a lot made with carriages and boats in thoughts, not vehicles, making driving an absolute nightmare.
Homosexual Motels in Amsterdam
When visiting Amsterdam, it’s finest to remain central which makes getting across the metropolis’s points of interest straightforward.
Luxurious
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam – Completely situated, this 5-star luxurious lodge within the coronary heart of Amsterdam presents luxurious rooms in a novel historic ambiance with French magnificence. A mix of Dutch historical past and French luxurious modern design, it includes a top-level restaurant, numerous bars, and a spa with an indoor pool space.
Mid-Vary
NH Amsterdam – This lodge is situated within the museum and style district and combines leisure amenities, elegant rooms, and a handy location. Facilities embody a health middle, sauna, and steam bathtub. Company can even get pleasure from a drink on the Bar & Kitchen Copper onsite.
Amistad Lodge – An establishment within the Amsterdam homosexual scene, this lodge is owned by a bunch of worldwide homosexual males. It is handily situated near a number of homosexual bars and golf equipment, together with simply 100 meters from the notorious Church. The renovated rooms of Amistad Lodge are easy but trendy, and so they serve a scrumptious Dutch breakfast within the morning.
Finances
Quentin Golden Bear – It’s a mainstream lodge with a homosexual historical past. Beforehand an LGBTQ+-owned property, it’s now merely gay-friendly. Centrally situated in Amsterdam in Kerkstraat and inside strolling distance of the well-known Membership Church. A Dutch breakfast buffet is offered every morning.
Anco Lodge – This lodge was as soon as a men-only homosexual lodge however now has its doorways open to all, though it stays gay-owned. Most apparently, it’s inside a Seventeenth-century canal home proper within the coronary heart of the Amsterdam Crimson Mild District—so shut, in actual fact, you could watch the comings and goings on the road under out of your window. The lodge can also be near a number of close by homosexual bars. The rooms are primary however cozy sufficient for many who do not need to spend an excessive amount of on luxurious.
Residences – misterb&b
We’ve partnered with misterb&b to assist curate probably the most LGBT+ pleasant homestays. misterb&b just isn’t a lodge or chain, however quite a reserving platform for rooms, residences and houses and it permits you to ebook from homosexual and gay-friendly hosts world wide. They’ve hosts in additional than 200 international locations and territories with greater than 1 million complete listings. Understanding the homosexual scene is far more simply executed with the assistance of an area and home-sharing is without doubt one of the finest methods to fulfill somebody residing within the metropolis who is aware of how issues work, the place and when are the most effective nights to exit, and what locations to eat at and which to keep away from. misterb&b is our best choice in case your precedence is exploring the native homosexual scene.
Particular Provide! Join with misterb&b and you’ll obtain a free $10 credit score to make use of in your first reserving!
Sightseeing & Actions in Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum – Essentially the most well-known museum within the coronary heart of Amsterdam holds greater than 8,000 works of Dutch artwork and historical past, together with masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh. Guide tour →
Ann Frank Home – The house the place Anne Frank and her household lived and hid throughout the conflict. It’s a author’s home and biographical museum devoted to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. It preserves the hiding place, has a everlasting exhibition on the life and occasions of Anne Frank, and has an exhibition area about all types of persecution and discrimination. Guide tour →
Van Gogh Museum – They’re understandably very happy with the Dutch painter Van Gogh within the Netherlands, so there’s a complete museum devoted to him in Amsterdam. Tickets could seem a bit expensive at €22 and must be purchased on-line, however the associated fee is effectively price it. You may study all concerning the numerous phases of Van Gogh’s life and see the biggest assortment of his work on the earth with 200 work, 400 drawings, and 700 letters by the artist. Guide tour →
Intercourse Museum –The Intercourse Museum has been round for greater than 20 years and has managed to gather many a whole lot of fascinating items of artwork, distinctive objects, and uncommon outdated images, however avoids the bluntness of pornography to carry them collectively in an organized and fascinating means.
Crimson Mild District – From brothels to intercourse outlets to museums, the Amsterdam Crimson Mild District has all of it. However opposite to what lots of people would possibly assume, the Amsterdam Crimson Mild District has a really pleasant ambiance and is not as harmful because it was. Guide tour →
Canal Cruise – See Amsterdam at its most picturesque on a 1.5-hour canal cruise by evening. Uncover the historic metropolis middle as you sail previous the Skinny Bridge, Golden Bend, and extra. Marvel on the illuminated service provider homes and study the place the native hotspots are. Guide tour →
Vondelpark – Do you have to want to take a respite from sightseeing and canal cruising, Vondelpark is the biggest park in Amsterdam, simply behind the Rijksmuseum, and is 470,000 sq. meters of lush greenery. In the course of the summer season months, there are sometimes open-air concert events and theater performs.
Nieuwe Meer – A serene lake situated within the south of Amsterdam, ultimate for these looking for a tranquil escape. Surrounded by lush greenery and scenic landscapes, the lake includes a well-known, gay-friendly, and clothing-optional seashore space. You possibly can reconnect with nature or your fellow man, as there’s additionally a sneaky cruising space within the woods behind it too.
Amsterdam Homosexual Excursions
LGBTQI+ Historical past Tour Amsterdam – Get an in-depth have a look at LGBTQI+ historical past in Amsterdam on this strolling tour with a information who lived by the beginnings of the motion. Take heed to the historical past of the Nineteen Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, when Amsterdam was the homosexual capital of the world, and go to landmarks necessary to LGBTQI+ historical past. With a small group, you may have loads of probabilities to ask questions and revel in an intimate group ambiance. Guide tour →
Gaily Tour in Amsterdam – Be immersed in Amsterdam’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene on this personal strolling tour of the Dutch capital. Select a time and bundle that works for you, then set off together with your information to study concerning the neighborhood’s historical past, exploring neighborhoods akin to Jordaan and De Wallen and listening to loads of customized insights alongside the way in which. Guide tour →
native homosexual information – Discover numerous excursions supplied by native homosexual guides within the metropolis. Their guides create an genuine expertise for you and make you’re feeling like an area as effectively. Try neighborhoods exterior of the vacationer areas, see the LGBTQ+ scene, get suggestions solely locals know, and naturally, go to the long-lasting locations too. Some excursions supplied in Amsterdam embody: Queer historical past tour and Discover hidden streets. Guide tour →
Eating places and Cafes
Café de Jaren – A brilliant and spacious café situated within the middle of Amsterdam. The primary-floor balcony and sunny canal-side terrace on the Kloveniersburgwal supply views throughout the River Amstel. Café de Jaren owes its recognition to the standard of the food and drinks it serves, the studying desk, the canal-side terrace and balcony, the number of tucked-away locations to sit down, and the sunshine and spacious ambiance.
Brug 34 -By day, this gay-friendly restaurant/cafe/bar is an excellent place to sit back with a espresso on their canal-side terrace—or a cocktail if you’d like, no judgment. They play jazz music so as to add to the laid-back ambiance, and you will find an eclectic group of individuals there, together with loads of LGBTQ+ folks. The meals is sweet too, and by evening it transforms right into a vigorous wine/cocktail bar.
The Otherside – Let’s be actual, one of many key causes folks go to Amsterdam is to smoke. And this gay-friendly espresso store has the proper relaxed ambiance to take action. It is situated in a historic constructing within the coronary heart of Amsterdam close to the homosexual bars. Locals and worldwide guests alike frequent it, and it is easy to make pals whereas hanging out. Their cake is nice too!
Supperclub – A spot the place like-minded folks discover one another and go residence with a narrative on the finish of the evening. Supperclub brings you an evening filled with spectacle, from an thrilling 5-course shock menu to wonderful music, thrilling performances, and visuals. Everybody performs a job, even you, and fills within the white canvas that’s the Supperclub.
Restaurant d’ Vijff Vlieghen – The restaurant is also known as a culinary museum. Partitions are adorned with lovely gold-plated leather-based from the Seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. d’Vijff Vlieghen is located within the middle of Amsterdam and is a perfect location for a romantic dinner.
Amsterdam Homosexual Bars and Golf equipment
Taboo – This enjoyable bar is a part of the homosexual secret village, near the flower market in the principle homosexual road of Amsterdam. It’s straightforward to see why this bar is so well-liked as they haven’t one, however two joyful hours—the primary between 6-7 p.m. and the latter between 1-2 a.m.—making it an important place to drink earlier than clubbing. All through the week they host a spread of nights, however their most marketed occasion is a Wednesday cocktail celebration, which incorporates video games, drag exhibits, and naturally cocktails.
Prik – How very dare you! This locale with an insluting identify is definitely an award-winning cocktail bar that’s utterly welcoming and unpretentious. Locals, expats, and vacationers alike hand around in the stylish pink inside and enormous terrace—with a busy dance flooring on the weekends. Prik does not imply what you assume although: it in actual fact means ‘bubbles’ in Dutch in reference to the Prosecco they serve from the faucet!
Café ’t-Mandje – They are saying it’s impolite to ask a lady her age, however this bar wears it as a mark of delight. Cafe ’t Mandje is the oldest homosexual bar in Amsterdam—it has been round since 1927 and was opened by the legendary lesbian “Aunt Wager.” Thus, it’s as a lot an necessary image in homosexual historical past as it’s a bar and café. The bar employees are pleasant, and it has a cool, busy classic inside with testaments to its historical past proven by footage and artwork.
Soho – Attractive and sassy and all the things you’d count on from a homosexual celebration bar. It is huge, which is lucky because it will get busy most days. Additionally they have a contented hour and play home and pop tunes with scorching go-go dancers strutting on the bar. Discovered on Reguliersdwarsstraat—the busiest homosexual road.
Exit Café – Often known as “the coziest terrace in Amsterdam,” Exit Café is discovered proper within the middle of Reguliersdwarsstraat. Open every single day until midnight, it is an important assembly place and focus for the homosexual nightlife of the world—whether or not you propose on a fast drink or a heavy evening out. Inside, it has its personal dance flooring with DJs enjoying the most effective business music.
De Lellebel – Additionally discovered within the Amstel district, this cafe/bar is all concerning the drag and has a well-earned popularity for its glittering lip-sync performances. The bar is run by trans ladies and drag queens—the women of the home of Lellebel—and has a superb array of cocktails on supply to get pleasure from with their spectacular exhibits. Sundays are devoted to the transgender neighborhood with occasions run by the Netherlands Transgender assist teams.
CLUB NYX – Charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and expertise—this membership has all that. Solely add enjoyable to the combo…with a sprinkling of glitter. Each Friday, NYX membership performs a spread of tunes from home to pop, complemented by exhibits and snazzy results. A stylish but unpretentious ambiance that caters to the complete rainbow of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. Oh, and there is even a DJ within the restrooms!
Rapido Occasions – Nice worldwide DJs, cool lights, scorching topless guys. Want we are saying extra? The most important month-to-month circuit party-esque membership in Amsterdam.
De Trut – The place to be on a Sunday for any queer individual not into the business scene. The membership represents nice music, low cost drinks, and sound ethics. De Trut has been going for the reason that mid-eighties and is totally run by volunteers, with the income from the celebration going to LGBTQ+ initiatives. It additionally operates a refreshing “no telephones” coverage whereas within the membership to encourage guests to benefit from the second.
Amsterdam Homosexual Saunas & Cruising Bars
The opposite well-liked homosexual space in Amsterdam is round Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat, which is the place you’ll discover the fetish outlets and several other homosexual cruising bars.
Church – Not loads of praying occurs at this Church, however you might effectively find yourself in your knees! This membership pulls no punches relating to being a spot to precise your self sexually. Simply to present you an thought, the themes vary from bare nights to masks events to spanking nights to queer fetish disco to their notorious Meat Market evening—which is strictly what it seems like, with tops and bottoms separated, then arrange for motion. Test on-line earlier than you go, so you realize precisely what you are in for.
Spijkerbar – Tucked away on Kerkstraat close to the canal, away from Leidsestraat, is that this small, horny homosexual bar that is price going out of your means for. The group has a pleasant, easygoing perspective, and the bar presents a little bit of all the things. Take pleasure in a Dutch beer, play some pool, and have some enjoyable upstairs within the darkroom.
Eagle Amsterdam – There are numerous Eagle bars scattered internationally, and the one in Amsterdam lives as much as the identify. For over 43 years, it has been a playground for the gays—particularly for leather-based fetish gays, however everyone seems to be welcome actually. It’s each a dance membership with nice DJs and a cruising bar with a darkroom and slings.
Cuckoo’s Nest – A free-to-enter bar that has a quite busy darkroom connected to it. An important place to hang around and…see what occurs. They run particular fetish-based occasions now and again together with Mr. Sportswear.
Soiled Dicks – Maybe appropriately situated close to Amsterdam’s red-light district, within the middle of Amsterdam sits this “something goes” fetish bar. A comfortable bar on the entrance and a raunchy two-floor darkroom on the again—geared up with slings, cabins, glory holes, a moist space, and extra. It is without doubt one of the oldest in Amsterdam and has no strict costume code, however fetish gear is very inspired.
Nieuwezijds – The one homosexual sauna in Amsterdam, nevertheless it’s one and located near Central Station. It has all the same old steam rooms, saunas, jacuzzi, a darkroom, and a bar space to unwind in. They run particular occasions like No Towel Tuesday, Gender Fluids’ Wednesday, and a Bears Working Up A Sweat evening as soon as a month on a Saturday.
Homosexual Occasions in Amsterdam
Satisfaction Amsterdam -A very one-of-a-kind expertise with the canal parade attracting over 300,000 spectators, road and membership events, and a Drag Queen Olympics. The parade really takes place on the water with spectators watching from the banks of the well-known canals. Big boats filled with all the things from horny dancers to leather-bound bears go down the waterways of town throughout late summer season as a whole lot of hundreds rejoice in some of the open and progressive cities on the planet. Dates: 26 July – 3 August 2025
King’s Day – Takes place in April in honor of the Dutch King. The principle day’s actions are adopted by a gay-inspired evening with many events throughout town with everybody wearing orange! Dates: 26 April, 2025.
Milkshake Pageant – An enormous LGBQ+-focused, out of doors music and dance pageant held in July. This Milkshake definetly brings all of the boys to the yard! Dates: 26 – 27 July, 2025.
Day Journeys from Amsterdam
Zandvoort – There is no homosexual seashore in Amsterdam, however there may be on this coastal city simply thirty minutes away by practice from Amsterdam Central Station. Their lengthy, sandy seashore has a homosexual—and clothing-optional—part situated on the far south facet. Zandvoort is each bit as inclusive and various as Amsterdam itself, with its personal seashore golf equipment and bars for many who would really like a quieter scene away from town.
Rotterdam – Rotterdam is the second-largest metropolis within the Netherlands—one hour south of Amsterdam and two hours north of Brussels. It’s an extremely trendy and various metropolis and isn’t in any respect what you would possibly assume while you think about a significant European metropolis. The sightseeing in Rotterdam isn’t historic and the structure isn’t outdated. However that is what makes Rotterdam stand out. That is the distinction to the remainder of Europe. Guide tour →
Madurodam – It is a small world! Fairly actually at thus miniature park showcasing well-known Dutch landmarks and cultural heritage in a 1:25 scale mannequin. Guests can discover detailed replicas of historic buildings, windmills, and canals, in addition to interactive reveals that carry the Netherlands’ wealthy historical past to life. It is an ideal vacation spot to study concerning the nation’s structure and traditions in a enjoyable and fascinating means. To get to Madurodam from Amsterdam, take a direct practice from Amsterdam Central Station to The Hague Central Station, which takes about 50 minutes. From there, it is a quick tram journey (Tram 9) to Madurodam. Or take a tour from town. Guide tour →
Bruges – The town of Bruges owes its identify to the varied bridges you’ll discover in it. It was declared a World Heritage Metropolis in 2000 and is often known as the Venice of the North. It additionally has an important Medieval interval architectural heritage, which you’ll be able to get pleasure from as you stroll by town. Guide tour →
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