Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [158]
The only cinema showing gay films on a regularly is the Filmhuis Cavia which, in conjunction with De Balie, hosts an annual event in December called De Roze Filmdagen (“Pink Film Days”; www.rozefilmdagen.nl), a mini-season of gay and lesbian movies. Call the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard (see "Resources and contacts") for details of gay film showings around town, or take a look at the AUB’s Uitlijst(see "Information").
Gay and lesbian Amsterdam | Nightlife and entertainment |
Bars
Gay and lesbian Amsterdam | Nightlife and entertainment | Bars |
Old Centre
Anco Oudezijds Voorburgwal 55. Hotel leather bar with a large darkroom. Daily 9am–10pm.
Argos Warmoesstraat 95. Europe’s oldest leather bar, with two bars and a cellar darkroom. Not for the faint-hearted. Daily 10pm–3am (Fri & Sat till 4am).
Cuckoo’s Nest Nieuwezijds Kolk 6. An ever-popular cruisey leather bar, this is described as “the best place in town for chance encounters”. Vast and infamous darkroom. Daily 1pm–1am (Fri & Sat till 2am).
Prik Spuistraat 109. Voted best gay bar of 2008 with tasty cocktails, smoothies and snacks, plus DJs on weekends. Daily 4pm–1am (Fri & Sat till 3am).
The Web St Jacobsstraat 6. Strict but friendly leather and bear bar-club that attracts an older crowd. Dance floor, darkrooms and a pool table. Daily 1pm–2am (Fri & Sat till 3am).
Gay and lesbian Amsterdam | Nightlife and entertainment | Bars |
Grachtengordel south
Arc Reguliersdwarsstraat 44. Trendy, mixed, neon-lit club, with comfy couches, friendly bar staff and late-night dancing. Small fusion menu. Happy hour 5–7pm. Daily 4pm–1am (Fri & Sat till 3am).
Downtown Reguliersdwarsstraat 31. Popular café that’s a favourite with visitors and locals. Relaxed and friendly, with inexpensive meals. Mon–Wed noon–8pm, Thurs–Sun 10am–8pm.
Entre Nous Halvemaansteeg 14. Camp and often outrageous small bar. Can be packed at peak times, when everyone joins in the sing-alongs to cheesy Eighties music. Women welcome. Daily 8pm–3am (Fri & Sat till 4am).
Lellebel Utrechtsestraat 4. Small and popular drag-show bar, with a lively and cheerful atmosphere. Mon–Thurs 9pm–3am, Fri & Sat 8pm–4am, Sun 3pm–3am.
Mankind Weteringstraat 60. Quiet, non-scene, traditional Dutch bar away from the usual gay hangouts, with its own terrace beside the canal attracting locals and visitors alike. Inexpensive meals. Lovely in summer. Daily noon–midnight.
Mix Café Amstel 50. Gezellig Dutch bar, playing the Top 40 and Europop. Daily 8pm–3am (Fri & Sat till 4am).
Montmartre de Paris Halvemaansteeg 17. A convivial brown café that’s usually packed, with the emphasis on music and entertainment (courtesy of Whitney and Madonna). Happy hour 6–8pm. Daily 5pm–1am (Fri & Sat till 3am).
Rouge Amstel 60. Welcoming bar, popular with both tourists and locals. Mon, Thurs & Sun 4pm–1am, Fri & Sat 4pm–3am.
Sappho Vijzelstraat 103. Friendly café with a small stage and a range of weekly and monthly nights. Tuesday is open-mic night for singer-songwriters, Friday is women-only night, and every first Saturday of the month there’s a mixed gay and lesbian club night. Small and cosy, the place fills up very quickly. Simple menu available till 10pm. Tues–Thurs & Sun 6pm–1am, Fri & Sat 8pm–3am.
De Spijker Kerkstraat 4. Friendly leather and denim bar showing porn movies, with an upstairs darkroom. Happy hour 5–7pm. Women welcome. Bingo every Sat from 6pm plus monthly leather parties (Sun from 7pm). Open Mon–Thurs 3pm–1am, Fri & Sat 1pm–3am, Sun 1pm–1am.
Vivelavie Amstelstraat 7. Small, campy bar patronized mostly, but not exclusively, by women, but gay men are very welcome. Quiet during the week, but packed at the weekend. Daily 4pm–1am (Fri & Sat till 3am).
Gay and lesbian Amsterdam | Nightlife and entertainment | Bars |
The Jordaan and Western docklands
Saarein Elandsstraat 119. Amsterdam’s first women-only bar, Saarein finally opened its doors to men in 1999, though its clientele remains mostly female. Some of the former glory of this split-level café may be gone, but it’s still a warm, relaxing place, with a cheerful atmosphere.