Guide to Amsterdam's LGBTQI+ scene
Amsterdam has a wealth of venues, parties and events catering to the LGBTQI+ community. Here’s a handy guide on what to check out!
Check out the bars
Home to numerous bars catering to diverse tastes, Amsterdam has everything from fun and friendly to dark and dirty. No matter what you’re up for, you’ll feel at home. Prik, The Queen’s Head and Café ‘t Mandje are welcoming and popular pubs for locals and visitors alike. Alternatively, head to Taboo, SoHo or Exit Café on Reguliersdwarsstraat for a tipple, whilst old favourites like De Spijker and Eagle Amsterdam cater to the leather scene. Other key spots to visit include Café Fame and Amstel 54. Around Rembrandtplein, Café Montmartre brings an authentic Parisian vibe to the heart of Amsterdam. On Utrechtsestraat, there is the Netherlands’ only drag queen café, De Lellebel, which is renowned for its glittering lip-sync performances. And for the lesbian scene, check out Bar Buka or Café Saarein. New addition Bar Bario is an inclusive bar and creative hub specifically focusing on the BPOC, Trans & Queer communities.
Boogie on down
Amsterdam’s reputation as a party city is well-known, and the LGBTQI+ community knows a thing or two about how to have a good time. Club Church hosts regular club nights such as "BLUE', where great music goes hand in hand with special nights catering to diverse tastes and fetishes. Exit and Club NYX are both staples in Amsterdam's LGBTQI+ clubbing scene but welcome everyone through their doors. Rapido and Backdoor have gained a reputation for their debauched parties, where DJs and performances set the stage for wild times on heaving dance floors. The eclectic agenda at Sexyland World hosts everything from Queer Chess Club meet-ups to sweaty dance parties. Or head to De Trut for their infamous volunteer-run queer disco every Sunday night.
Tip: Keep an eye out for parties hosted by Spielraum (a queer club night) or ...IsBurning - an LGBTQI+ night initially founded at Trouw but which regularly pops up at changing venues across the city, particularly around Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) and Queer & Pride.
Grab a bite
Need to fuel up? Across the city you’ll find a host of LGBTQI+-friendly restaurants serving great food with flavours from across the globe. Head to Lunchroom Downtown in the heart of Reguliersdwarsstraat for a relaxing bite as you sit and watch the passing throng. PAMELA in Oud-West is a highly popular boozy brunch spot by day and cocktail bar with a sweaty basement dancefloor by night. Mankind’s canal-side location is perfect for a quiet lunch, particularly when the weather is warm, or find your way to Brug34 on Utrechtsestraat where delicious drinks and mouthwatering snacks await.
Drag it up
The popularity of drag continues to increase, even here in Amsterdam. The first edition of RuPaul’s Drag Race Holland was broadcast in 2020 and you can see drag acts in many bars and clubs throughout the week. Want some meat with your fish (drag dictionary: a ‘fish’ is a very feminine queen)? Head to Sluisje, where a steak dinner and a dynamite show guarantee a good night out. In June, Superball Amsterdam comes to Paradiso, a fierce drag competition that sees Europe’s boldest drag houses battle it out to take the crown. And Church is owned and run by Amsterdam’s wildest queen, the inimitable and fabulous Jennifer Hopelezz. For everything from vogue balls to bingo nights, here's a handy guide to Amsterdam's sparkling drag scene.
Catch a flick
There’s a lot for film buffs in Amsterdam. It’s Pride Night at Pathé on the first Wednesday of the month, where a different LGBTQI+-focussed film is screened each time. In March, Roze Filmdagen (Pink Film Days) at Ketelhuis cinema in Westerpark plays a selection of movies from across the globe, all with LGTBQI+ themes and with many in English. During Queer & Pride in July-August, you'll find a colossal cultural programme, including spectacular open-air film screenings as well as talks, debates, photography exhibitions and much more. Around December, the International Queer and Migrant Film Festival highlights films with themes around queerness with a focus on migrants. It’s always a must-see.
Feel the heat
As the days warm up, the festival season unfolds, and the LGBTQI+ scene sizzles. Tropikali brings the spirit of Rio’s Carnivale to Amsterdam with an eclectic line-up of beats and grooves. Milkshake gets people in the mood with a fabulous atmosphere catering to the LGBTQI+ community; the focus is on respect, freedom and love for everyone. And the big ticket item is Queer & Pride Amsterdam. Towards the end of July and into early August, a dazzling ten-day programme featuring parties, exhibitions, performances, sports, and so much more culminates with a glittering bang as Canal Parade sees amazingly decorated floats sail along, cheered on by enthusiastic crowds. And when that concludes, the streets, bars and squares fill with proud revellers as the party continues well into the wee hours. After some rest, the leather community comes out to play at Amsterdam Leather Pride late in autumn.
Join the community
Regarding marches and activism, the Homomonument by the Westerkerk is often one of the central meeting points for the LGBTQIA+ community in Amsterdam. You can read more about its poignant history on this LGBTQI+ walking route. Next to the monument, you'll also find Pink Point, Amsterdam's official LGBTQI+ information kiosk, which provides information about the Homomonument and general information on LGBTQI+ services, groups and information centres in Amsterdam. It is staffed by friendly and knowledgeable volunteers and presents a wide range of information leaflets and flyers from local organisations.
