Amsterdam gay capital of europe
Pub Owner Bet Van Beeren Created a Safe Haven in Gay Capital Amsterdam
A safe haven for artistic souls and the gay capital of the planet – that is the reputation that Amsterdam gained in the second half of the twentieth century. One of the legendary pioneers behind these developments was Bet van Beeren, who, during the tumultuous years of the last century, turned her bar, ’t Mandje, into a petite 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 discover 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.
Gay Capital of Europe
Throughout the entire center of Amsterdam you will find lgbtq+ businesses and institutions. Homosexual and transgender visitors accomplish not have to peek 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 twirl with the beautiful people around you, plan to drink cocktails all blackout 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 spot and do in Amsterdam, but most of the gay cafes, bars and stores are in the center of the urban area, in four popular districts: Amstel, Kerkstraat, Reguliersdwarsstraat, Zeedijk and Warmoesstraat.
Amstel
The male lover 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 preserve the traditional Dutch melody culture high, including trendy anthems from the international song festival repertoire. During King's Day and the Amsterdam G
Gay Amsterdam Guide
Gay Amsterdam tour guide: where to move, dance, drink and shop
Amsterdam, the city of canals, is not only notable for its stunning architecture and cultural heritage but also for its thriving gay scene. The town offers a safe and accepting environment for the LGBTQ+ community, making it a popular destination for gay travelers. From celebrated bars and clubs to exciting events, this Queer Amsterdam Guide is here to help you detect 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 optimal bars, parties, events, and more.
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The capital of the Netherlands has been a bastion of LGBT+ culture for centuries and has seen its group 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 drawn-out been at the forefront of LGBTQ activism and fight for acceptance.
Gay in Amsterdam: is Amsterdam male lover friendly?
Amsterdam is a very gay-friendly city. In truth, 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 state to legalise same-sex marriage.
In 2019, a Eurobarometer poll reported that 97% of Dutch people agreed that gay, lesbian, and pansexual people should have the same rights as direct people (the second top percentage in the EU). Amsterdam has long been at the center
Amsterdam Gay Travel Manual 2025
Upcoming Events in Amsterdam
About Amsterdam and its gay life
Amsterdam had been a powerful metropolis 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 demonstrate , 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 lane 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 arise monthly or every few months. So, if you favor dancefloors with hundreds of half-naked sweating guys, check for the next dates of those irregular parties.
Annual highlights and homosexual events in Am