Cramsterdam for the Gays

Most of the gay bars (homohoreca) 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. Our friends also run a club night in Amsterdam (and now London too) at The Eagle called Bear Bash.

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. See also events.

Reguliersdwarstraat

This is the current “gay street” of Amsterdam. reguliers.net

Taboo + Taboo Kantine –

Reguliersdwarsstraat 4
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
barblend.nl
Next door to Taboo and same kind of crowd. XL is opposite next to SoHo

Bar Exit –

Reguliersdwarsstraat 42a
exitamsterdam.nl

SoHo –

Reguliersdwarsstraat 36
soho-amsterdam.com

Amstel and Rembrandtplein

This used to be much more gay but now only a few stalwarts remain. Although Café Montmartre has reopened recently and Brug is under new ownership so there is hope.

Brug34 –

Utrechtsestraat 19
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. (December 2024 under new ownership still LGBT but more daytime focused).

Free Willie – (PAID entry ) – – XXX

Amstel 178
freewillie.nl
The newest gay bar. Mostly a naked bar. From the Club Church team.

Lellebel –

Utrechtsestraat 4H
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.

Café Montmartre –

Reguliersdwarsstraat 129 – NEW ADDRESS
cafemontmartre.nl
Please note new address – was closed for a few months but reopened in new location.
Very traditional gay bar with Dutch music and eurotrash.
And in the new bar the ceiling is dotted with 18 glittering chandeliers…

Centrum West

Prik –

Spuistraat 109
prikamsterdam.nl
Great terrace although it is along a (sometimes) busy street.

The Web – – XXX

Sint Jacobsstraat 6
thewebamsterdam.nl
Sometimes PAID entry but usually no cover just buy a drink before exploring.

The Cuckoo’s Nest – – XXX

Nieuwzijds Kolk 6
cuckoosnest.nl
No cover just buy a drink before exploring.

Sauna Nieuwezijds – (PAID entry ) – – XXX

Nieuwezijds Armsteeg 95
saunanz.nl
Paid entry.

Centrum/De Wallen

The Queen’s Head

Zeedijk 20 (Oudezijds Kolk)
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
cafetmandje.amsterdam
Best described as ‘quirky’

Eagle Amsterdam – – XXX

Warmoesstraat 90
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
dirtydicksamsterdam.com
(sometimes PAID entry )
Usually, no cover unless there is an event.

Kerkstraat and Leidseplein

Spijker Bar – – XXX

Kerkstraat 4HS
spijkerbar.nl
Pool, Bingo, Disney + Porn in addition to naked Tuesdays what more could you ask for? Oh super friendly staff that’s what. . A small dark room upstairs provides a discreet area to enjoy new friends, and its location just two minutes down the road from Club Church make it a great warm up spot. 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)
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

a red neo sign that reads "taboo kantine" on a brick wall in the bar. — Taboo Kantine Amsterdam – Iain Croll

Jordaan

Saarein

Elandsstraat 119
saarein2.nl
Neighbourhood LGBT+ friendly bar.

Oost

Lola (The Green Aardvark) –

Mauritskade 100 A-h
lolathegreenaardvark.nl
Another large terrace great in the summer and they do good food too

West

Pamela –

Jacob van Lennepstraat 86H
pamela.amsterdam
Local neighbourhood queer cafe bar

Gay Events in Amsterdam

Pride Amsterdam Amsterdam Pride is a multifaceted celebration that transforms the city into a vibrant hub of LGBTQIA+ culture. At its heart lies the world-famous Canal Parade, a truly extraordinary event that draws over 300,000 enthusiastic spectators. Unlike traditional street parades, this spectacle unfolds on Amsterdam’s iconic canals, with elaborately decorated boats gliding along the waterways. These floating stages showcase a diverse array of performers and themes, from dazzling dancers and flamboyant drag queens to leather-clad bears and representatives of various LGBTQIA+ organizations.

Beyond the Canal Parade, Amsterdam Pride encompasses a week-long program of events, including street parties that spill into the city’s charming neighborhoods, electrifying club nights that keep the energy high until dawn, and the uniquely entertaining Drag Queen Olympics. This city-wide celebration embodies Amsterdam’s reputation as one of the most open and progressive cities on the planet, where diversity is embraced and celebrated.

It’s important to note the distinction between Amsterdam Pride, the overall LGBTQIA+ festival, and the Canal Parade, which is its most iconic event. While the Canal Parade is the visual centerpiece, Amsterdam Pride encompasses a broad range of cultural and activist events that contribute to the festival’s significance. Dates for 2025: 26 July – 3 August 2025

King’s Day – Takes place in April every year on the same date in honour of the Dutch King’s birthday. The main activities during the day are drinking and markets (it’s a whole thing) and are followed by a orange-inspired night with many parties across the city with everyone dressed in orange! Dates: 26 April, 2025.

Milkshake Festival A huge LGBQIA+ focused, outdoor music and dance festival held in July in Westerpark. This Milkshake definitely brings all the boys to the yard! Dates for 2025: 26 – 27 July, 2025.

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A group of men bathed in pink light in a bar in the centre of Amsterdam — Brug 34 – Iain Croll

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Permenantly closed

All of these bars have permanently closed a couple have rebranded as new LGBT bars but most are no longer LGBT.

Amstel 54 – ~~– PERMANENTLY CLOSED~~
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 sadly predicted it would be the next on this list of closed venues).

Queers – ~~– ~~PERMANENTLY CLOSED~~~~
Amstel 60
A cozy bar along the Amstel strip from Amstel 54 and Fame. Drag Bingo and Sunday afternoon snacks.

Fame – ~~PERMANENTLY CLOSED~~
Amstel 50
Fun bar in the aread near Queers, Monmartre and Amstel 54.

Club YOLO ~~– ~~PERMANENTLY CLOSED~~~~
Amstel 178
Late bar. Now opened as Free Willie.

De Engel – ~~PERMANENTLY CLOSED~~
Zeedijk 21
with a friendly and open attitude, a mixed crowd of all ages and styles, with a nice established terrace. CLoseby to the Queen’s Head.

Getto – ~~PERMANENTLY CLOSED~~
Warmoesstraat 51
Bar/Restaurant with drag insired menu. The team have now opened Lola (The Green Aardvark).

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.

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