Cramsterdam for the Gays

Most of the gay bars in Amsterdam (in no particular order) grouped by location – also available on google maps and check out the events page on iamsterdam (Milkshake and Pride are two of the main events). Club nights like Bear Bash, Bear Necessity or Furball etc are not listed so check out Tom’s guide or Patroc.

Most Friday evenings we will be found on Reguliersdwarsstraat usually outside of Taboo or Blend for informal drinks or as the locals like to call vrijmibo which is a Dutch short for “Vrijdagmiddagborrel,” which loosely translates to “Friday afternoon drinks.”
In the summer we also tend to meet at Marineterrein AKA the gay beach. Bring snacks, drinks and a blanket to sit on and watch Amsterdammers unwind and swim and get drunk in the marine base near Kattenburg. Further afield is Nieuwe Meer which is an official cruising spot in Park de Oeverlanden.

When WorldPride is held in Europe, it is traditionally also designated as that year’s EuroPride. This was the case in London in 2012, Madrid in 2017, Copenhagen in 2021, and will be again in Amsterdam in 2026. So 2026 is going to be a big year for Gay Amsterdam from 25 July to 8 August 2026. More information at World Pride.

Reguliersdwarsstraat | Centrum West | De Wallen | Kerkstraat | Amstel | Jordaan | Oost | West

Reguliersdwarstraat

This is the current “gay street” of Amsterdam. http://www.reguliers.net/

Taboo + Taboo Kantine – 
Reguliersdwarsstraat 4
http://www.taboobar.nl/
Busy bar especially for the after work crowd on a Friday but with a few recent price hikes make sure you don’t go crazy.

Blend + Blend XL –  
Reguliersdwarsstraat 41
http://www.barblend.nl/
Next door to Taboo and same kind of crowd. XL is opposite next to SoHo

Bar Exit – 
Reguliersdwarsstraat 42a
http://www.exitamsterdam.nl/

SoHo –  
Reguliersdwarsstraat 36
https://www.soho-amsterdam.com/

Reguliersdwarsstraat | Amstel | De Wallen | Kerkstraat | Jordaan | Oost | West

Amstel and Rembrandtplein

This used to be much more gay but now only a few stalwarts remain.

Brug34 
Utrechtsestraat 19
http://www.brug34.nl/
Great bar with a large terrace that gets the evening sunshine so great for after-work beers and the staff are super friendly

Free Willie – (PAID entry ) – XXX
Amstel 178
https://www.freewillie.nl/
The newest gay bar. Mostly a naked bar. From the Club Church team.

Lellebel
Utrechtsestraat 4H
https://www.lellebel.nl/
Queer bar which is small but fun. They recently moved focus of Lellebel towards building a safe environment for the Queer/Trans community so support it.

Amstel 54
Amstel 54
€10 to spin the wheel and you might win shots or drinks or lose it all! Not as much fun or as gay as it used to be (I predict it will be the next on this list to vanish).

Reguliersdwarsstraat | Amstel | De Wallen | Kerkstraat | Jordaan | Oost | West

Centrum West

Prik
Spuistraat 109
http://www.prikamsterdam.nl/
Great terrace although it is along a (sometimes) busy street.
The Web XXX
Sint Jacobsstraat 6
https://thewebamsterdam.nl/
Sometimes PAID entry but usually no cover just buy a drink before exploring.
The Cuckoo’s Nest XXX
Nieuwzijds Kolk 6
No cover just buy a drink before exploring.
http://www.cuckoosnest.nl/
Sauna Nieuwezijds – (PAID entry ) – XXX
Nieuwezijds Armsteeg 95
http://www.saunanz.nl/
Paid entry.

Reguliersdwarsstraat | Centrum West | De Wallen | Kerkstraat | Jordaan | Oost | West

Centrum/De Wallen

The Queen’s Head
Zeedijk 20 (Oudezijds Kolk)
http://www.queenshead.nl/
Friendly little bar where you can have a nice drink and a chat. Get there early for the booth with the canal views.
Café ‘t Mandje
Zeedijk 63, Amsterdam
http://www.cafetmandje.amsterdam/
Best described as ‘quirky’
Eagle Amsterdam XXX
Warmoesstraat 90
https://www.eagleamsterdam.com/
(sometimes PAID entry )
Ring the bell for entry. Not for the faint-hearted 😉 Usually, no cover unless there is an event.
Dirty Dicks XXX
Warmoesstraat 86
https://www.dirtydicksamsterdam.com/
(sometimes PAID entry )
Usually, no cover unless there is an event.

Reguliersdwarsstraat | Centrum West | De Wallen | Amstel | Jordaan | Oost | West

Kerkstraat and Leidseplein

Spijker Bar XXX
Kerkstraat 4HS
https://www.spijkerbar.nl/
Pool, Bingo, Disney + Porn in addition to naked Tuesdays what more could you ask for? Oh super friendly staff that’s what. Not as large a “play” area as some of the other bars with “play” areas but hey that can sometimes be fun right…


Club Church – (PAID entry ) – XXX
Kerkstraat 52 (Leidsestraat)
http://www.clubchurch.nl/
Also not for the faint-hearted (paid entry and allegedly very cruisy). Expect club nights like Furball to sell out and even with tickets arrive in good time or you will be joining a 1 out 1 in line outside

Jordaan

Saarein
Elandsstraat 119
http://www.saarein2.nl/
Neighbourhood LGBT+ friendly bar.

Oost

Lola (The Green Aardvark)
Mauritskade 100 A-h
http://www.lolathegreenaardvark.nl/
Another large terrace great in the summer and they do good food too

West

Pamela
Jacob van Lennepstraat 86H
https://www.pamela.amsterdam/
Local neighbourhood queer cafe bar

XXX

The ahem other bars…
XXX – signifies the bar has a dark room or is otherwise a sex positive venue.

Reguliersdwarsstraat | Centrum West | De Wallen | Kerkstraat | Amstel | Jordaan | Oost | West

Top

Top

Permenantly closed

Montmartre
Halvemaansteeg 17
http://www.cafemontmartre.nl/

The latest casualty 🙁


Amsterdam is renowned for its vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, with a wide array of gay bars that cater to diverse tastes and offer something for everyone. Iconic spots like Prik are popular for their welcoming atmosphere and delicious cocktails, making it a favorite among both locals and tourists. For those who enjoy a more lively scene, Soho on Reguliersdwarsstraat is known for its stylish decor and energetic vibe. If you’re looking for a classic Dutch experience, Café ’t Mandje is one of the oldest gay bars in the city, steeped in history and character. While these bars are fantastic places to experience Amsterdam’s LGBTQ+ nightlife, it’s worth noting that their popularity means they can get quite busy, especially on weekends, so plan accordingly to fully enjoy what they have to offer.