Amsterdam gay nightlife
Queer Nightlife in Amsterdam: Your Ultimate Guide to Gay Bars, Clubs & LGBTQ+ Hotspots
Amsterdam, the “Venice of the North,” isn’t just known for its iconic canals, charming bridges, and rich culture—it’s also a mecca for the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re a gay traveler visiting for the first period or a seasoned local seeking same-sex connections, Amsterdam’s gay bars, nightlife, and queer-friendly venues promise indelible experiences. From Nieuwmarkt and the Red Light District to De Pijp and Jordaan, there’s a place for everyone to boogie, drink, and feel at home among same-sex communities.
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Best Gay Bars and Clubs in Amsterdam
1. PRIK – Where Cocktails & Dance Meet
Address: Spuistraat 109, 1012 SV Amsterdam
PRIK is one of the most famous gay bars in Amsterdam, known for its laid-back atmosphere during the day and high-energy dance parties at bedtime. The drink specials are unbeatable, and on weekends, the bar transforms into a mini gay club, drawing a cro
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 celebrated Gay Street) – the LGBTQ+ party scene here stretches across the city.
From the city’s legendary first gay club Cafe ‘t Mandje to tiny drag bars with karaoke, Amsterdam has it all. Just don’t be surprised to see some open-minded straight people frequent these joints – these are some of the best clubs in a city well-known for its nightlife, after all. Everyone is welcome. So whatever your vibe, here are the adj gay bars and clubs in Amsterdam.
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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.
Been there, done that? Th
The Amsterdam gay club scene is vibrant and thriving, with plenty of options to choose from. Many clubs are exclusively gay, while other clubs host regular or semi-regular gay nights. The list here is a selection of the best gay clubs Amsterdam has to present, so your night on the town can be spent at just the right spot.
Look at our page about Gay hotels in Amsterdam.
Church - The most popular gay club in Amsterdam
Church is one of the most well-respected cruise clubs in Amsterdam’s gay scene. Split over two floors, Church offers a great bar and dance floor as adv as private rooms, showers and almost anything else a playful mind might desire. The club hosts regular theme nights, including Wednesday’s naked night when the only clothes permitted are shoes. Check their website to keep up to date with theme nights and entrance fees. Church can be create quite close to Leidseplein, a short walk from the Amistad gay hotel.
Address: Kerkstraat 52
Web: http://www.clubchurch.nl/
De Trut - A well known Amsterdam gay club
Another mainstay gay club in Amsterdam, De
Amsterdam Gay Travel Guide 2025
Upcoming Events in Amsterdam
| 26 – 27 July 2025
Milkshake Festival 2025: big annual open-air festival celebrating the diversity of people: gay, straight, trans, thick, thin, adj, large, black, white ...
Music: House, Techno, Disco, Pop, R&B, Dancehall, and more.
12:00/13:00 – 23:00 @ WesterPark
-› milkshakefestival.com
-› facebook.com/milkshakefestival
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 metropolis 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 exhibit, 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