Elsewhere in the city
There are also a number of more scattered LGBT places outside the well-known gay streets, some are old, others just new:
Food bars: Lola the Green Aardvark · Pamela
Lesbian: Bar Buka · Café Saarein
Dance clubs: De Trut · RAUM
Street parties: King's Day · Liberation Day · Pride
More: History · Links
updated: 21-12-2023
Please note that many places are closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check the website or social media of the particular place for current info.
F O O D B A R S
Lola the Green Aardvark
A foodbar with a magical garden terrace
Mauritskade 100 A-h
1093 RR Amsterdam
Since June 1, 2020
Opening hours: (subject to change)
- Weekends: 14.00 - 24.00 hrs
- Weekdays: 16.00 - 24.00 hrs
- Weekends: 14.00 - 24.00 hrs
- Weekdays: 16.00 - 24.00 hrs
Pamela
For the people I would love to meet
Jacob van Lennepstraat 86
1053 HM Amsterdam
Since January 11, 2020
Opening hours: (subject to change)
- Weekends: 12.00 - 03.00 hrs
- Weekdays: 14.00 - 01.00 hrs
- Weekends: 12.00 - 03.00 hrs
- Weekdays: 14.00 - 01.00 hrs
L E S B I A N P L A C E S
Bar Buka
Where girls meet
Albert Cuypstraat 124
1072 EA Amsterdam
Since March 1, 2019
Opening hours: (subject to change)
- Weekends: 17.00 - 02.30 hrs
- Weekdays: 17.00 - 01.00 hrs
- Weekends: 17.00 - 02.30 hrs
- Weekdays: 17.00 - 01.00 hrs
Café Saarein
Amsterdams oldest lesbian bar
Elandsstraat 119-hs
1016 RX Amsterdam
Since August 19, 1978
Opening hours: (subject to change)
- Weekends: 16.00 - 02.00 hrs
- Weekdays: 16.00 - 01.00 hrs
- Weekends: 16.00 - 02.00 hrs
- Weekdays: 16.00 - 01.00 hrs
D A N C E C L U B S
De Trut
Underground queer disco
Bilderdijkstraat 165 E
1057 KP Amsterdam
Since December 8, 1985
Opening hours: (subject to change)
- Sundays: 22.00 - 03.00 hrs
- Sundays: 22.00 - 03.00 hrs
Club RAUM
A cultural space in continual movement
Humberweg 3
1043 AC Amsterdam
Since April 19, 2024
Opening hours: (subject to change)
- Weekends: 23.00 - 05.00 hrs
- Weekends: 23.00 - 05.00 hrs
News: Long-awaited queer club RAUM opened (2024)
T H E P A S T
History
of the gay places elsewhere in AmsterdamAlready in the early 18th century, gay men could meet and have sex at a few places that were similar to the molly houses in London. In the early 20th century Amsterdam had about five gay bars and around 1930 there was also a well-known gay café at Nes 17, right around the corner of Dam square:
The former café-concert The Empire at Nes 17, where later
the gay bars Maxim and Bob's bar-bodega were located
the gay bars Maxim and Bob's bar-bodega were located
Unknown photographer - click to enlarge
In 1952 the DOK was opened at the Singel, which became the largest gay dancing of post-war Europe. It was not less popular than De Schakel, the community center of gay rights organization COC near the Leidseplein. The biggest and best-known gay bathhouse was Thermos, which from 1971 to 2015 was located at Raamstraat.
> See also: The Amsterdam Gay Bar Culture 1930-1970
More about the history of the gay places elsewhere in Amsterdam will follow later!
Links
Shops: Toddities · Mr. B · Drake's Boutique
Cinema: Drake's Cruising
Hairsalon: Cuts and Curls
Gallery: GO Gallery
Memorabilia: Amsterdam Gay & Lesbian Nightlife
News and background articles:
GayNews.nl: Interview Steve Malenka, icon from gay Amsterdam (2024)
Gay News last look at: 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004
GayNews.nl: Sauna Boomerang Celebrates First Birthday (2000)
Links
Useful links about gay nightlife in:
- Amsterdam
- The Netherlands
- The rest of the world
+ Various LGBT links
Gay nightlife in Amsterdam
Streets:
- Reguliersdwarsstraat
- Warmoesstraat
Guides:
- Gay Amsterdam
- Nighttours: Amsterdam
- Iamsterdam: LGBTQI+ bars and cafes
- Patroc: Amsterdam
- Queer Europe: Amsterdam
- Gay Cities: Amsterdam
- Pinksider: Amsterdam
- The Gay Passport: Amsterdam
- Queer In The World: Amsterdam
- Gay Out: Amsterdam
- Travel Gay: Amsterdam
- GayTravelr: Amsterdam
Calendars:
- Gay Amsterdam: Agenda
- Tom of Amsterdam
- Gay Parties Amsterdam
- GoGiGi
Prides:
- Pride Amsterdam
- Queer Amsterdam
- Leather & Fetish Pride
- Black Pride
Tickets:
- Gaygo Tickets
Tours:
- LGBT Gay Tours Amsterdam
Photos:
- LGBT nightlife in Amsterdam
- Gay Businesses 1983-2010
Memorabilia:
- Amsterdam Gay & Lesbian Nightlife
History:
- Graveyard of LGBTQI pubs & clubs
Gay nightlife in The Netherlands
Guides:
- Nighttours: Netherlands
- Queer In The World: Netherlands
- GayTravelr: Netherlands
- Saunas4men: Netherlands
Calendars:
- Nighttours: Netherlands
Photos:
- Wikimedia: LGBT Nightlife
Memorabilia:
- Dutch Gay & Lesbian Nightlife
- LGBTQI+ Buttons
History:
- LGBT history in the Netherlands
Gay nightlife in the rest
of the world
of the world
Cities:
- Queer Berlin
Streets & Villages:
- Canal Street, Manchester
- Le Marais, Paris
- Hell's Kitchen, New York City
- Church-Wellesley, Toronto
- Village, Montréal
Guides:
- GayBars.eu
- Gay Travel Guide Europe
- Queer Europe
- Spartacus Intern. Gay Guide
- Gay Cities
- Pinksider
- The Gay Passport
- Queer In The World
- Gay Out
- GayTravel
- Travel Gay
- GayTravelr
- Saunas4men
Calendars:
- Gay Events Belgium
- IGLTA: Pride Calendar
- Gay Pride Calendar
- GayPrides.com
- GoGiGi
Photos:
- Wikimedia: Gay bars
Buttons:
- LGBTQI+ Buttons
T-Shirts:
- Wearing Gay History
- Throwback Gay Bar T-Shirts
History:
- Wikipedia: Gay bar
- Brussels Almanack Dykes
- Molly Houses in London
- Lost LGBT Scene Project
- England: Pride of Place
- OUTgoing New York City
- San Francisco Gay History
- The Lesbian Bar Project
- GayBarchives
Various LGBT links
LGBT news:
- Gay News
- Queer.de · Schwulissimo
- PinkNews · Advocate
Podcast:
- Making Gay History
Museums:
- Schwules Museum, Berlin
- Queer Britain, London
- American LGBTQ+ Museum, NYC
- GLBT Historical Society, SF
Archives:
- IHLIA LGBT Heritage
- Fonds Suzan Daniel
- Centrum Schwule Geschichte
- ONE Gay & Lesbian Archives
Linkpartners:
- Amsterdam Masseur Homo/Hetero?