What is the gay scene like amsterdam

Gay Amsterdam Guide

Gay Amsterdam explore guide: where to move, dance, drink and shop

Amsterdam, the city of canals, is not only legendary for its stunning architecture and cultural heritage but also for its thriving gay scene. The urban area offers a safe and accepting environment for the LGBTQ+ community, making it a popular destination for gay travelers. From famous bars and clubs to exciting events, this Same-sex attracted Amsterdam Guide is here to help you uncover the best that the city has to offer.

Our Gay Guide to Amsterdam shows you how to plan an unforgettable trip –


with tips on the gay scene, the leading bars, parties, events, and more.

🌈🎉đŸģ

The capital of the Netherlands has been a bastion of LGBT+ culture for centuries and has seen its people survive and thrive despite political and social adversity. Today, Amsterdam is dwelling to some of the best gay clubs, bars and hotels in the world, offering gay travelers a truly unique and exciting visit. The Netherlands is of course the first country in the world to introduce marriage equality, gay people living in and visiting the Netherlands are so adv accepted and integrated that at first there might not seem to be much o

LGBTQ travel guide: Amsterdam

Considered by many to be the gay capital of Europe, Amsterdam is one of the most welcoming destinations in the world for LGBTQ travelers. It has numerous neighborhoods all over the city dedicated to the LGBTQ community, where you’ll find gay bars, clubs, and hotels. With its winding canals and beautiful architecture, Amsterdam has something to offer to every traveler. Those who are gay in Amsterdam will feel totally at home in this welcoming city which has extended been at the forefront of LGBTQ activism and fight for acceptance.

Gay in Amsterdam: is Amsterdam queer friendly?

Amsterdam is a very gay-friendly city. In reality, it’s often regarded as one of the friendliest cities in the society for the LGBTQ group. The Netherlands, more broadly, is a culturally liberal country and has historically been a leader in the fight for same-sex attracted rights. In 2001, it became the first land to legalise same-sex marriage.

In 2019, a Eurobarometer poll reported that 97% of Dutch people agreed that gay, lesbian, and double attraction people should have the same rights as vertical people (the second uppermost percentage in the EU). Amsterdam has long been at the center

Amsterdam’s queer scene rivals that of the greats; up there with Berlin, Madrid, Brighton and more. And we’re not just talking about Reguliersdwarsstraat (Amsterdam’s known Gay Street) – the LGBTQ+ party scene here stretches across the city. 

From the city’s legendary first gay club Cafe ‘t Mandje to tiny flamboyant bars with karaoke, Amsterdam has it all. Just don’t be surprised to see some open-minded direct people frequent these joints – these are some of the best clubs in a city celebrated for its nightlife, after all. Everyone is welcome. So whatever your vibe, here are the leading gay bars and clubs in Amsterdam. 

RECOMMENDED:
🍹 The best bars in Amsterdam
đŸĒŠ The best clubs in Amsterdam
đŸŒŋ The best coffeeshops in Amsterdam
📍 The best hotels in Amsterdam
🏠 The best Airbnbs in Amsterdam

Derek Roberston is a writer based in Amsterdam. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers. Find more in our editorial guidelines.

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what is the gay scene like amsterdam

Amsterdam Gay Travel Instruction 2025

Upcoming Events in Amsterdam

About Amsterdam and its gay life

Amsterdam had been a powerful municipality of maritime trade fame for many centuries. In the second half of the 20th century it was considered the gay capital of Europe, due to the beauty of the city and due to the city's liberal atmosphere which was far ahead of most other European cities and countries at that time.

As our Amsterdam Gay Maps entertainment, there are several gay areas in Amsterdam, all of them not really far from each other. First of all you got the street with the unpronounceable name, Reguliersdwarsstraat, which is rather mainstream and quite busy at the weekend. Nearby are the Amstel highway and Kerkstraat. And finally there are Warmoesstraat and Zeedijk in the very center of Amsterdam.

As you can see on our Clubs & Parties page there aren't many regular gay clubs and parties left in Amsterdam nowadays. The most popular and crowded parties are those which transpire monthly or every few months. So, if you love dancefloors with hundreds of half-naked sweating guys, check for the next dates of those irregular parties.

Annual highlights and gender non-conforming events in Am

Gay Capital of Europe

Throughout the entire center of Amsterdam you will find lgbtq+ businesses and institutions. Gay and gender diverse visitors do not have to glare for hotels marked with pink or rainbow flags. All hotels, restaurants and bars are very open-minded. The sincere tolerance for homosexuals can be noticed all over the city.

Whether you yearn to dance with the beautiful people around you, intend to drink cocktails all night in a terrific exclude, or want to spent a overnight in a block with friends: the gay and female homosexual scene of Amsterdam is unprecedented.

Everywhere there's something to witness and do in Amsterdam, but most of the queer cafes, bars and stores are in the center of the city, in four popular districts: Amstel, Kerkstraat, Reguliersdwarsstraat, Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat.

Amstel

The gay and lesbian scene around the Amstel (including Rembrandtplein and Halvemaansteeg) has a more traditional character. In the Amstel area (between Muntplein and Amstelstraat) you can find tons of 'brown cafes' that keep the traditional Dutch music customs high, including trendy anthems from the international song festival repertoire. During King's Day and the Amsterdam G