I amsterdam - Best Sapphic Sunshine

Test Your Gaydar
Yes, there are joggers, drinkers, cyclists, sun-seekers, co-mothers, skatepunks, ice-cream eaters, strollers and everybody else from every stripe on the rainbow flag; if you were ever in any doubt about whether your ‘gaydar’ would work on the Dutch network, you’ll be noticing by now that’s it’s bleeping like crazy. Maybe it’s the sap rising; maybe it’s the opportunity to shed some layers of clothing; maybe it’s simply access to so many outdoor activities, but all of Sapphic life is here for the world to see.

Every Stripe
At the skate-slalom near the Leidseplein entrance, sporty, shorts-wearing misses snake in and out of bollards, so get hiring from Rent A Skate and you’ll soon be striking up an inline pas de deux. After all that exertion, grab a drink at the Blue Teahouse in the centre of the park and let the people-watching begin… Here’s a middle-aged couple taking a break from walking the dogs. There’s a dykes-on-bikes type cruising the cycle paths on her custom-built, low-rider chopper. Beyond, there’s a horsey-sort type cantering back to the Hollandsche Manege. Out by the lake there’s a group of semesters recovering from last night’s excesses with a boom-box and some beer. By the rose garden there’s a sedate group of couples with a picnic, sipping rosé wine. It’s idyllic in this patch of sunny turf in the middle of the city, and tempting just to stay supine and watch the world and her woman go by.

Sultry Nights
But don’t forget that this could be your ideal opportunity to meet ‘n’ mingle with the local lasses. A little bit of sunshine loosens the tongue, so offer a drink, a bit of suncream, or a backy round the perimeter path on your rental bike. (And if you really want to be romantic, you can even buy a piece of the park - a tree, a patch of grass, a statue or a bench - in your name!) Don’t be shy about asking where you should head off to next. If it’s Sunday, extend your stay on the grass to 10:00 pm, then dash to the front of the queue at squat night supreme De Trut. Choose your Saturday carefully and you’re just a short stagger from Spellbound at OCCII. Rembrandtplein’s only 15 minutes off, Regulierdwarsstraat even less. And who knows – if you turn on the charm enough you may get an invite to the most exclusive and elusive ticket in the whole lesbian town – a party in someone’s home. 

Vondelpark
Transport: Trams 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 12, 20
Open all night

Hollandsche Manege
Address: Vondelstraat 140
Tel: 020-6180942

Rent A Skate
Tel: +31 (0)6 5466 2262 (mobile)
Locations: Amstelveenseweg entrance & Groot Melkhuis.
Hours:
Apr-Oct 11:00-21.30, Mon-Fri
10:30-20:00, Sat & Sun.

Spellbound at occii
Address: Amstelveenseweg 134
Hours: Check site for hours and days.
Website: www.spellbound-amsterdam.nl 

De Trut
Address: Bilderdijkstraat 165, Oud West (no phone).
Transport: Tram 3, 7, 12, 17 (Bilderdijkstraat).
Hours: 11pm-4am Sun.