Amsterdam gay street
Amsterdam’s historical (gay) centre – The Reguliersdwarsstraat
Enough about museums, canals,
boat-trips and parks. It’s getting dark and it’s time for some drinks and 4/4
beats. Put on your heels and dive into Amsterdam’s fervent nightlife. The
Reguliersdwarsstraat is the heart of the Dutch GLBT community, with an enviable
history of its very own.
De Viking
,
Havana,
McDonald,
April,
IT… If you were a club kid, a voguing
queen, a party animal and you are now over 40, you will probably feel a little
teardrop rolling down your cheek while reading the names of such infamous,
crazy, flickering and flamboyant venues.
Amsterdam
has been considered for many years the place to be, at least for once in your
lifetime, if you were gay and wanted to celebrate your pride candidly: no
social chains, no cultural divergences, no racial conflicts. All equal, all
different. It was all about melody and being there.
Things
have changed, a lot, I must say, and Amsterdam no longer boasts the glory it
used to back in those
underground
days, but it is a fact that the Dutch capital will always remain the favorite
destination for many gay
Amsterdam’s queer scene rivals that of the greats; up there with Berlin, Madrid, Brighton and more. And we’re not just talking about Reguliersdwarsstraat (Amsterdam’s known Gay Street) – the LGBTQ+ party scene here stretches across the city.
From the city’s legendary first gay club Cafe ‘t Mandje to tiny flamboyant bars with karaoke, Amsterdam has it all. Just don’t be surprised to see some open-minded direct people frequent these joints – these are some of the best clubs in a city celebrated for its nightlife, after all. Everyone is welcome. So whatever your vibe, here are the leading gay bars and clubs in Amsterdam.
RECOMMENDED:
đš The best bars in Amsterdam
đĒŠ The best clubs in Amsterdam
đŋ The best coffeeshops in Amsterdam
đ The best hotels in Amsterdam
đ The best Airbnbs in Amsterdam
Derek Roberston is a writer based in Amsterdam. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers. Find more in our editorial guidelines.
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Gay Capital of Europe
Throughout the entire center of Amsterdam you will find same-sex attracted businesses and institutions. Same-sex attracted and transgender visitors carry out not have to peek for hotels marked with pink or rainbow flags. All hotels, restaurants and bars are very open-minded. The genuine tolerance for homosexuals can be noticed all over the city.
Whether you want to twirl with the beautiful people around you, plan to drink cocktails all evening in a terrific lock, or want to spent a night in a bar with friends: the gay and lesbian scene of Amsterdam is unprecedented.
Everywhere there's something to watch and do in Amsterdam, but most of the gay cafes, bars and stores are in the center of the metropolis, in four popular districts: Amstel, Kerkstraat, Reguliersdwarsstraat, Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat.
Amstel
The male lover and lesbian scene around the Amstel (including Rembrandtplein and Halvemaansteeg) has a more traditional character. In the Amstel area (between Muntplein and Amstelstraat) you can find tons of 'brown cafes' that store the traditional Dutch harmony culture high, including well-liked anthems from the international song festival repertoire. During King's Day and the Amsterdam G
Patroc Amsterdam Gay Guide 2025
Shops
Black Body
Monday-Saturday 11:00 – 19:00;Sunday 12:00 – 18:00
Fetish shop for men: underwear, sportswear, rubber, leather etc.
blackbody.nl
@ Kerkstraat 173
Amsterdam 1017 GH
Tram: Keizersgracht
+31 20 626 2553, +31 683863467 (mobile)
↑
Gays & Gadgets / Underground
Monday-Thursday 12:00 – 19:00;Friday, Saturday 11:00 – 19:00;Sunday 12:00 – 19:00
Gifts, gadgets, cards and party tickets. Gay magazines, flyers and discount cards.
In the basement with kink shop Underground.
gaysandgadgets.com
@ Spuistraat 44
Amsterdam 1012 TV
Tram: Nieuwezijds Kolk
+31 20 330 1461
↑
House of Riegillio
Wednesday-Sunday 13:30 – 21:00
Queer store with fetish gear, casual streetwear, underwear and accessories, featuring brands such as MR. Riegillio, Barcode, Alpha Industries and Adidas.
mr-riegillio.com
@ Reguliersdwarsstraat 39
Amsterdam 1017 BK
+31 20 244 6943
↑
Mister B
Daily 11:00 – 19:00
Famous shop for leather and rubber gear, erotic toys etc.
misterb.com/amster
.