Gay Amsterdam

If you want it, Gay Amsterdam’s got it. From dozens of picturesque, historic canals to a host of first-class museums to a thumping gay nightlife and a gay-friendly culture, the Netherlands’ capital and Europe’s sixth-largest metropolitan area is a hot spot for the ultimate “gaycation.” Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam developed as a port city and has become an international hub for business and pleasure. An estimated four to five million visitors trek to the city annually.

Check out Kylie Condon's travel journal exploring the lesbian culture in Amsterdam. Lez Explore: Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s most important museums can be found on the Museumplein or Museum Square, a recently remodeled plaza. Here, gay visitors can walk through the Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum. But a can’t-miss spot is the Rijks Museaum, which opened in 1885 and boasts the largest collection of classical Dutch art—nearly one million objects in all. The Rembrandt masterwork “The Nightwatch” can be seen here, as can work by Van der Helst, Vermeer and Frans Hals. Then, of course, there’s De Wallen, also known as Walletjes or Rosse Buurt, Amsterdam’s largest and well-known red-light district.

The city’s Heineken Music Hall offers large-scale pop concerts; the Bimhuis, jazz; and the famed Concertgebouw, a top-notch symphony orchestra. Shopping is also plentiful and you can find high-end shops and familiar upscale retail dealers along Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat and Cornelis Schuytstraat, near the Vondelpark. Denim options are hot properties in Amsterdam. You can create your own pair at Denham. GayTravel.com’s gay and lesbian travel guides can provide you with details for planning every aspect of your Amsterdam vacation.

Amsterdam Gay Scene

The LGBT community is truly alive and well in Amsterdam. From gay friendly clubs to cafes and saunas, Amsterdam’s gay scene has it all. The Reguliersdwarsstraat is the backbone of the Amsterdam’s gay scene and an avenue where you’ll spend plenty of leisure time. You can also find clubs and discotheques along the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein. The Paradiso, Melkweg and Sugar Factory are cultural centers, which turn into discotheques on some nights. The leather crowd frequents the gay scene at Warmoesstraat in Amsterdam’s red-light district. The Kerkstraat is a quieter street, with inviting gay cafes. Thermos is the largest and most popular sauna in the city and it has a reputation to match with gay men. It offers four floors, a swimming pool and bar, and a cruising area as well as private cabins.

King’s Day is April 27th and Amsterdam’s gay pride festival - complete with a floating parade down the city’s canals - takes place in July and August, but the city is gay year-round. In 1987, Amsterdam became the first city in the world to dedicate a monument to persecuted gays. More than a decade later, the Netherlands legalized registered partnerships and then same-sex marriage with equal rights and benefits. Oh yeah, the gay scene in Amsterdam is doing just fine.

Gay-Friendly Dining

There are plenty of gay friendly restaurants in Amsterdam and you will find the greatest concentration of gay owned restaurants on Kerkstraat. However, don’t think that Kerkstraat is the only place you can look for gay friendly dining. Amsterdam is a very friendly city and the restaurant scene is world-class.

Gay-Friendly Nightlife

Amsterdam’s gay bars and clubs have something for everyone. Whether you want to lounge with good friends and good conversation at a low key gay bar or dance the night away in one of Amsterdam’s incredible gay clubs you can find it in this incredibly diverse city.

Spellbound

The queer underground dance parties here are the place to be!

Taboo

Great happy hour, friendly people and nice bartenders!

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