Amsterdam gay capital of europe

LGBTQ travel guide: Amsterdam

Considered by many to be the same-sex attracted 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 group, where you’ll discover gay bars, clubs, and hotels. With its winding canals and beautiful architecture, Amsterdam has something to offer to every traveler. Those who are same-sex attracted in Amsterdam will feel totally at home in this welcoming city which has long been at the forefront of LGBTQ campaign and fight for acceptance.

Gay in Amsterdam: is Amsterdam queer friendly?

Amsterdam is a very gay-friendly metropolis. In fact, it’s often regarded as one of the friendliest cities in the world for the LGBTQ society. The Netherlands, more broadly, is a culturally liberal state and has historically been a chief in the contest for gay rights. In 2001, it became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage.

In 2019, a Eurobarometer poll reported that 97% of Dutch people agreed that lgbtq+, lesbian, and pansexual people should contain the same rights as straight people (the second utmost percentage in the EU). Amsterdam has long been at the center

Gay Capital of Europe

Throughout the entire center of Amsterdam you will find same-sex attracted businesses and institutions. Queer and transgender visitors accomplish not have to watch for hotels marked with pink or rainbow flags. All hotels, restaurants and bars are very open-minded. The genuine tolerance for homosexuals can be noticed all over the city.

Whether you want to sway with the beautiful people around you, plan to drink cocktails all darkness in a terrific exclude, or want to spent a night in a bar with friends: the gay and lesbian scene of Amsterdam is unprecedented.

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

Amstel

The homosexual 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 save the traditional Dutch melody culture high, including famous anthems from the international song festival repertoire. During King's Day and the Amsterdam G

Pub Owner Bet Van Beeren Created a Safe Haven in Gay Capital Amsterdam

A safe haven for skilled souls and the queer capital of the nature – that is the reputation that Amsterdam gained in the second half of the twentieth century. One of the famous pioneers behind these developments was Bet van Beeren, who, during the tumultuous years of the last century, turned her exclude, ’t Mandje, into a small queer capital. It was a place where everyone was welcome – including those on the fringes of society.

Anyone stepping into Amsterdam’s café t Mandje today feels as though they’re entering a museum. And until recently, anyone visiting the Amsterdam Museum could find themselves stepping into ’t Mandje – or at least a replica of it. In recent years, the pub on the Zeedijk has gained significant importance as part of Amsterdam’s cultural heritage. This status has even been formally recognised by including ’t Mandje in the Canon of Amsterdam, which firmly embeds the pub in the city’s collective memory and historical narrative.

How ’t Mandje earned such a heritage-worthy reputation is a story that begins in 1927, when Bet van Beeren (1902–1967) took over the café from her uncle.

Bet va
amsterdam gay capital of europe

Gay Amsterdam Guide

Gay Amsterdam travel guide: where to go, move , drink and shop

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

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


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

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The capital of the Netherlands has been a bastion of LGBT+ tradition for centuries and has seen its community survive and thrive despite political and social adversity. Today, Amsterdam is home to some of the top 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 show marriage equality, male lover people living in and visiting the Netherlands are so well accepted and integrated that at first there might not seem to be much o

Amsterdam Gay Travel Guide 2025

Upcoming Events in Amsterdam

About Amsterdam and its gay life

Amsterdam had been a powerful city 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 second.

As our Amsterdam Gay Maps show, 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 street 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 lgbtq+ clubs and parties left in Amsterdam nowadays. The most popular and crowded parties are those which happen monthly or every few months. So, if you like dancefloors with hundreds of half-naked sweating guys, check for the next dates of those irregular parties.

Annual highlights and queer events in Am