Amsterdam Solo: 5 Gay Days, Cruisy and Sober
This five-day solo route covers Amsterdam's major museums and the gay bars of Reguliersdwarsstraat in Centrum. It pairs booked visits like the Rijksmuseum with fetish shopping, drag and late bars you can take at your own pace.
Day 1
Amsterdam · Day 1 — Plantage / Weesperbuurt
Day one is based in Plantage / Weesperbuurt, with a booked visit to the Anne Frank House followed by leather and rubber browsing at Black Body on Kerkstraat.
Anne Frank House — This poignant museum tells the story of Anne Frank and her family hiding from Nazi persecution during World War II. (book ahead) · Black Body — Leather and rubber fetish shop on Kerkstraat: ready-to-wear gear, harnesses, accessories and made-to-measure pieces.
Drake's — Gay men's cruise club and porn cinema behind a Damrak shop; EUR 14 entry, daily 12:00-19:00 per its own site.
The Otherside — Gay-minded coffeeshop at Reguliersdwarsstraat 6, running since 1990; open daily 10:00-00:00, 18+, no alcohol.
Well-rated mid-priced Mediterranean restaurant on Markenplein near the Zeedijk, known for meze, lamb kebabs and stuffed vine leaves.
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Day 2
Amsterdam · Day 2 — Jordaan
Day two is based in the Jordaan, pairing Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum with a browse through De Negen Straatjes in the Canal Belt, starting at Episode and Laura Dols.
Rijksmuseum — Home to a vast collection of Dutch art and history, including masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. (book ahead) · Browse De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets) in Canal Belt — start at Episode, Laura Dols, Razzmatazz · Mister B — Amsterdam leather and fetish flagship on Prinsengracht 192, the home store of a brand founded on the Warmoesstraat in 1994.
Sauna Nieuwezijds — Amsterdam's only gay sauna, near the Dam: steam, dry sauna, hot tub, cabins, maze and bar; open from noon daily.
OT301 — Self-run cultural centre on Overtoom in a former film academy: club nights, cinema, a vegan restaurant and occasional queer parties.
Drag dinner-show restaurant on Torensteeg since 1995: three-course menu, served and performed by the queens themselves.
Two other ways to do tonight ▾
Tours & Experiences in Amsterdam
Free cancellation · Mobile tickets
Day 3
Amsterdam · Day 3 — Nieuw-West
Day three is based in Nieuw-West, with a stop at the Homomonument and a late drink at Exit Café, the small bar beside Club NYX since 1992.
Homomonument — The world's first monument commemorating all gay men and lesbians persecuted because of their sexuality.
Exit Café — Small late bar beside Club NYX since 1992: apres-ski decor, year-round terrace, house and pop; a common last stop. · COC Amsterdam — Local Amsterdam branch of the Dutch LGBTQ+ association COC; office at Rozenstraat 12, contact by email. · Café 't Mandje — Amsterdam's oldest gay bar, opened on the Zeedijk in 1927 by Bet van Beeren.
Dinner then an easy evening.
Nepalese and Tibetan restaurant on Albert Cuypstraat in De Pijp, Amsterdam, near the Albert Cuyp market; rated 4.7 on Google.
Two other ways to do tonight ▾
Day 4
Amsterdam · Day 4 — Centrum / Reguliersdwars
Day four starts slow with coffee around Reguliersdwarsstraat in Centrum, then moves to sing-alongs at Café Montmartre and drag at Lellebel.
Slow start — coffee and a wander.
Café Montmartre — Gay sing-along bar since 1983, now at Reguliersdwarsstraat 48 after two moves in 18 months; closed Monday and Tuesday. · Lellebel — Drag bar since 1997, trans and queer women-owned, with alternative rock and Sunday karaoke; closed Monday and Tuesday. · IHLIA LGBT+ Heritage — Major LGBTQ+ archive and library on an upper floor of Amsterdam's Central Public Library (OBA Oosterdok), with a reading room and changing exhibitions.
Dinner then an easy evening.
Food bar beside Taboo Bar on Reguliersdwarsstraat, listed by the local gay registry; daily 16:00-00:00.
Two other ways to do tonight ▾
Day 5
Amsterdam · Day 5 — Centrum / Reguliersdwars
Day five is a slow last day on Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amsterdam's main gay bar street, ending at Rob Amsterdam.
Slow start — coffee and a wander.
Reguliersdwarsstraat — Central Amsterdam Gay Street — Amsterdam's main gay bar street, running behind the flower market; home to BLEND, SoHo, Taboo, NYX, Exit and Montmartre. · RoB Amsterdam — Amsterdam's oldest gay leather shop, on Warmoesstraat since 1975, with custom leather made in-house. · Man to Man Shop & Cinema — Gay shop, video store and cinema with a darkroom on Spuistraat, listed since 1977; check hours before you go.
Spijkerbar — Long-running gay bar on the Kerkstraat corner with a pool table, cartoons on the screens and a mixed crowd of locals and visitors.
Brasserie of the Ambassade Hotel on Herengracht in Amsterdam's canal ring; mid-priced, with duck and steak among reviewers' picks.
Two other ways to do tonight ▾
Practical Tips
- 1 See the Health & Safety block below for PrEP/testing access and practical norms.
- 2 Club doors: Club door policies typically require valid ID, and while dress codes are generally relaxed, some venues may have specific aesthetic preferences or prohibit photos.
- 3 Restaurants marked "book" fill up — reserve a day ahead.
Where to stay in
Hotel prices for your dates
via Stay2224 gay bars, clubs & saunas from our guide Purple outline = where the gay scene is concentrated
City essentials
- Anne Frank House — This poignant museum tells the story of Anne Frank and her family hiding from Nazi persecution during World War II. — book tickets online ahead Skip-the-line tickets →
- Rijksmuseum — Home to a vast collection of Dutch art and history, including masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. — book tickets online ahead Skip-the-line tickets →
- Homomonument — The world's first monument commemorating all gay men and lesbians persecuted because of their sexuality.
Health & Safety
- PrEP & STI testing: Visitors can access STI testing and PrEP services at the GGD Amsterdam STI clinic in Nieuw-West; testing is often free for specific groups or symptoms, otherwise a fee applies, and appointments are required.
- Emergency: 112
- Pharmacy: While not common, some pharmacies offer late-night services, and a rotating 'dienstapotheek' system ensures access to urgent prescriptions.
- PDA: Public displays of affection for queer couples are generally safe and widely accepted in Amsterdam, especially in central and LGBTQ+-friendly areas.
- Club doors: Club door policies typically require valid ID, and while dress codes are generally relaxed, some venues may have specific aesthetic preferences or prohibit photos.
- Cash vs card: Card payments are overwhelmingly preferred and widely accepted across Amsterdam, with many places no longer accepting cash.
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Amsterdam — Gay Map
LGBTQ+ venues and areas in Amsterdam
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