Amsterdam's gay life feels less staged than simply absorbed into the life of the city itself. There is no need for grand declarations when freedom is so embedded in the atmosphere: canal-side cafés, dark bars, club nights, and cultural spaces all exist with a kind of quiet assurance. The mood is liberal, urbane, and slightly hedonistic, though rarely in a way that feels forced.
A camp, colourful gay bar on Reguliersdwarsstraat with a dedicated drag stage and a busy terrace. Reopened with a completely new interior in April 2022, Taboo is one of the strip's most energetic spots from late afternoon through the early hours.
A modern two-floor gay bar on Reguliersdwarsstraat with outdoor street seating, regular drag shows, bingo nights, and DJs at weekends. Expanded in 2021 with BLEND XL at number 44.
Amsterdam's first dedicated bear bar, opened in May 2025 in the former location of The Web on Sint Jacobsstraat. A warm, social space for bears and their friends, with an upstairs darkroom and regular events including the monthly Bereborrel social and BLUF Sunday meetups.
One of the world's oldest gay bars, opened in 1927 by the legendary lesbian Bet van Beeren. The Zeedijk institution closed for decades and reopened in 2022 with its original memorabilia intact — leather jackets, handcuffs, and bras hanging from the ceiling.
A relaxed gay café-bar near the Rijksmuseum in the Spiegelkwartier, with a canal-side terrace and a full food menu. A daytime and early-evening option for a neighbourhood crowd — quieter and more unhurried than the Reguliersdwarsstraat strip.
A beloved Amsterdam gay institution dating back to 1983, Montmartre is known for Dutch pop, Eurovision anthems, and 80s/90s hits in a mirrored, disco-ball-lit interior. The bar moved to a new Reguliersdwarsstraat address in August 2024.
One of Amsterdam's oldest queer spaces, Café Saarein opened in 1978 as a feminist women's bar and has evolved into a welcoming neighbourhood spot for all queer-minded people. A traditional Dutch brown café with a pool table, live music nights, and a vegan menu on Fridays.
A former chapel on Kerkstraat converted into one of Amsterdam's most popular LGBTQ+ cruise clubs, with a dance floor on the former altar, private cabins, and darkrooms. Each night has a distinct theme — from underwear and naked to drag and sports — welcoming all queer sub-groups.
The main gay dance club on Reguliersdwarsstraat, with three floors each dedicated to a different sound — house, pop, and techno. Open Thursday through Saturday only, NYX is where Amsterdam's gay night reliably ends.
A queer-run cultural club in a former bookbindery in Amsterdam's Westpoort industrial district, opened in April 2024. RAUM evolved from the SPIELRAUM party series and operates as a large warehouse space with two rooms and strong electronic and queer artistic programming.
A legendary Sunday-only underground queer disco in a former squat on Bilderdijkstraat, run entirely by volunteers since the 1980s. Entry is €3 cash, phones are banned, and all profits go to LGBTQ+ causes via the Trut Fund.
A men's leather and fetish bar on Warmoesstraat with a back darkroom fitted with cabins, a bathtub, play zone, and glory holes. A fixture of Amsterdam's cruising scene since the 1970s, with weekly themed fetish nights and open every night of the week.
A three-floor leather and cruising bar on Warmoesstraat with deep roots in Amsterdam's gay scene since 1978. The Eagle hosts live DJs on weekends, with a cruising area on the second floor and a darkroom in the basement. Winner of Best Gay Fetish Club in Europe 2025.
A naked bar along the Amstel opened in December 2023 by the Club Church team. Dress code is footwear only — underwear optional. A cosy, playful space with a pool table and lounge area, open Thursday through Sunday. Entry is €6.
Amsterdam's longest-running drag venue, open since 1997 near Rembrandtplein. A small, trans-owned queer safe space known for monthly drag shows and Sunday karaoke nights — unpretentious and community-focused.
A beloved cocktail bar near Spui that has twice won TimeOut Amsterdam's Best Gay Venue award. Slightly off the main gay strip, Prik draws a local mixed crowd with good drinks and an unpretentious early-evening vibe.
The only gay sauna in Amsterdam, open 365 days a year since December 2013. Facilities include a Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, private cabins, a licensed bar, and on-site masseurs. Friday and Saturday sessions run through until 10am.
One of the most popular gay bars on Reguliersdwarsstraat, SoHo is a reliable pre-club gathering point with an English pub feel, two floors, and DJs that push the energy late into the night. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
One of Amsterdam's oldest gay bars, open since 1978 and self-described as the city's most attitude-free. A relaxed leather and bear bar on Kerkstraat with a pool table, darkroom, and regular themed nights including Naked Tuesdays and Saturday bingo.
A leather and cruising bar near Dam Square open since 1984, with a ground-floor bar and a basement play area featuring a maze and private cabins. Open from early afternoon every day — one of the earliest-opening cruising venues in the city. Men only; one drink purchase required.
A lively gay bar on the Zeedijk open since 1998, best known for its beloved Tuesday drag queen bingo nights. Welcoming and busy, it's a reliable first stop on any Amsterdam night out.
Gay Places is a quietly curated guide to gay bars, clubs, and other spaces around the world. Less directory, more edit, it brings together places with atmosphere, character, and a reason to go.
