Tips for gay travel in Amsterdam

Gay life in Amsterdam

If you want it, Gay Amsterdam’s got it. From dozens of picturesque, historic canals to a host of first-class museums to a thumping gay nightlife and a gay-friendly culture, the Netherlands’ capital and Europe’s sixth-largest metropolitan area is a hot spot for the ultimate “gaycation.” Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam developed as a port city and has become an international hub for business and pleasure. An estimated four to five million visitors trek to the city annually.

Amsterdam’s most important museums can be found on the Museumplein or Museum Square, a recently remodeled plaza. Here, gay visitors can walk through the Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum.
But a can’t-miss spot is the Rijks Museaum, which opened in 1885 and boasts the largest collection of classical Dutch art—nearly one million objects in all. The Rembrandt masterwork “The Nightwatch” can be seen here, as can work by Van der Helst, Vermeer and Frans Hals. Then, of course, there’s De Wallen, also known as Walletjes or Rosse Buurt, Amsterdam’s largest and well-known red-light district.

There are several hundred one-room apartments here rented by female sex workers and numerous sex shops, sex theaters, peep shows, and a sex museum. Don’t be bashful. Of course, there is more for the senses than a feast for the eyes in Amsterdam. The city’s Heineken Music Hall offers large-scale pop concerts; the Bimhuis, jazz; and the famed Concertgebouw, a top-notch symphony orchestra. Shopping is also plentiful and you can find high-end shops and familiar upscale retail dealers along Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat and Cornelis Schuytstraat, near the Vondelpark. Denim options are hot properties in Amsterdam. You can create your own pair at Denham. GayTravel.com’s gay and lesbian travel guides can provide you with details for planning every aspect of your Amsterdam vacation.

Gay Scene in Amsterdam

The Reguliersdwarsstraat is the backbone of the Amsterdam’s gay scene and an avenue where you’ll spend plenty of leisure time. You can also find clubs and discotheques along the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. The Paradiso, Melkweg and Sugar Factory are cultural centers, which turn into discotheques on some nights. The leather crowd frequents the gay scene at Warmoesstraat in Amsterdam’s red-light district. The Kerkstraat is a quieter street, with inviting gay cafes. Thermos is the largest and most popular sauna in the city and it has a reputation to match with gay men. It offers four floors, a swimming pool and bar, and a cruising area as well as private cabins.

Queen’s Day is April 30 and Amsterdam’s gay pride festival - complete with a floating parade down the city’s canals - takes place in July and August, but the city is gay year-round. In 1987, Amsterdam became the first city in the world to dedicate a monument to persecuted gays. More than a decade later, the Netherlands legalized registered partnerships and then same-sex marriage with equal rights and benefits. Oh yeah, the gay scene in Amsterdam is doing just fine.

Best Places Travel in Amsterdam:

1. Hotels and apartments near gay places

As Amsterdam has a very compact city centre, just stay somewhere in the city centre, so everything is at walking distance. Our Hotel Guide shows you the best hotels in the different gay areas.

2. Gay bars and cafes

- Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amstel & Kerkstraat The gay scene is concentrated in the city centre of Amsterdam. The most well known gay street is Reguliersdwarsstraat. Here you find the well known Soho and Taboo bars. Close to it is the Amstel area and Halvemaansteeg, with bars popular by the locals. In the Kerkstraat you find popular the popular gay club Church, with many fetish theme nights.

- Warmoesstraat & Zeedijk The other area is located near Dam square. Behind Dam square you find popular bar Prik on Spuistraat. Close-by are 2 cruise bars Web and Cuckoosnest. On the Warmoesstraat you find the leather scene and gay bars for 'real men'. Connected to it is the Zeedijk, with another gay bar. Both areas are at walking distance of each other.

3. Restaurants in Amsterdam

There are plenty of gay friendly restaurants in Amsterdam and you will find the greatest concentration of gay owned restaurants on Kerkstraat. However, don’t think that Kerkstraat is the only place you can look for gay friendly dining. Amsterdam is a very friendly city and the restaurant scene is world-class.

- Sie-Joe: This is a fave place of mine for quick and cheap Indonesian food. The specials are good. Just get there around lunch time when the food is fresh and hot. Best to avoid for dinner.
Address: Gravenstraat 24A1012 NM AmsterdamNetherlandsCross Streets: Centrum

- De Belhamel: Gay owned and gay friendly restaurant De Belhamel is located at the junction of two of Amsterdam’s most beautiful canals, the Brouwersgracht (“brewery’s canal”) and the Herengracht (“gentlemen’s canal”).
Address: Brouwersgracht 60

4. Clubs and parties

Amsterdam has a couple of weekly gay clubs and a wide range of popular monthly dance parties. The weekly gay minded club is Club Nyx (in the main gay street) . The most famous parties are Rapido (4 times a year) and Bear Necessity (muscle bears) And Funhouse.

5. Cruise bars, parties and gay sauna

Amsterdam is also known for its dark and sleazy places. As a tourist your probably don't want to miss the popular Sauna NZ. A popular fetish place with different theme parties is Club Church. The other cruise bars are located around Warmoesstraat: Eagle and Dirty Dicks. Already from afternoon you can visit The Web or Cuckoo' s Nest. Check out PLAY for all gay cruise bars and leather parties.

Local Tips for Amsterdam

1. Amsterdam Centraal

When you exit the train station, you immediately will smell what this city is infamous for. Smoking marijuana is legal here. If you are looking for coffee, go to a cafe. But if you want to smoke, you visit a “coffee house.” Frommer’s Europe guide book strongly advises against buying it on the street.

2. Amsterdam Church

Church every Friday night in Central Amsterdam has a Underwear party sponsored by the local ES Collection store. On the first floor you change into your underwear before entering, and upstairs get ready for some one on one action, you can find bed and sexual swings.

3. Amsterdam Noord

Hop on your bike and head behind Central Station. Look for the crowd of people gathered near the waters edge. Board one of the free ferries that takes you to the other side, hop off and explore. Beautiful parks and places to discover await you. You may find a perfect spot to make out with your sweetie.

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