Best Gay Bars in Amsterdam

 

 Regardless of your sexual-orientation, these gay bars are seriously fun. Everyone is focused at having a good time, making the ambiance is unbeatable.

Compared to ‘hetero’-bars, I find the people much more relaxed and better dressed. People mind their own business or have the opposite attitude: the more, the merrier. 

Bar Prik

What: Bar serving cocktails and snacks.

Good to know: Voted ‘best gay bar in The Netherlands’. Queer or not, Prik is hot!  

Clientele: Relaxed gays & straights looking for a good time.

Ambiance: Friendly and no-nonsense

Music: the DJ spins Groovy dance, funky classics and electric pop.

Prik, Spuistraat 109, Amsterdam Centre

Eve

What: Cocktail & lounge bar

Good to know: Prior to the refurbishing, this was Arc.

Clientele: The sexy & trendy (gays & women & straight men).

Ambiance: Sexy & trendy, to see and be seen.

Music: Dj spins deep house music - and now you try to sit still! 

Eve, Reguliersdwarsstraat 44, Amsterdam Centre.

Bump

What: Clubby bar with cocktails, DJ and dance floor.

Good to know: Newest gay club in Amsterdam. Two floors.

Clientele: Mostly gay men and some women. Straight-guys who don’t mind a ‘wink’ from another man should also try it. 

Ambiance: Sexy, fun and free of attitude. 

Music: DJ spins deep grooves, nu-disco and funky electro. 

Bump, Kerkstraat 23, Amsterdam Centre.

Roque

What: Posh gay dance club. (I shall ask for some photos.)

Good to know: No dark room, open till 5am and even Miss Janice Dickinson partied here.

Clientele: Gays and straights. It’s very accessible. 

Ambiance: Dance, dance and move your feet happiness.

Music: Popular dance music and vocal house.

Club Roque, Amstel 178, Amsterdam Centre.

Lellebel

What: Drag show bar

Good to know: Not for the faint hearted, but remember: they won’t bite (at least not hard!). Photo left is from Miss Elektra, source: Facebook.

Clientele: Drags and non-drags in for a laugh.

Ambiance: Jolly.

Music: Depends on the day and the mood of the performer (or person closest to the music system)

Lellebel, Utrechtsestraat 4, Amsterdam Centre. 

Cafe ‘t Mandje

What: Gay brown bar

Good to know: First gay bar in Amsterdam (1927) run by Bet van Beeren, ‘the queen of the streets’. 

Clientele: Gays-only and most straight guys don’t feel at ease here. For it's historical value, I've put this bar in this article though.

Cafe ‘t Mandje, Zeedijk 63, Amsterdam Centre.