Amsterdam LGBTQ+ City Guide
My Amsterdam Pride City Guide highlights restaurants, bars, groups and community spaces created by and for the queer community.
Every summer, at the end of July and early August, Amsterdam Pride Week starts to buzz with summer heat and an overdose of rainbows and glitter. It’s electric! But remember, Pride is also so much more than a party. Pride is a protest, it is our community, and we deserve positive representation 365 days a year.
Amsterdam has a lot to offer the LGBTQ+ community. We're fortunate to live in a progressive city that hosts female-friendly, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ initiatives too. If ya ask me, there's a lot more to Amsterdam's queer community than the notoriously wild Reguliersdwarsstraat or the wild annual Pride Canal Parade. Keep reading to find out more.
There are many ways to connect, learn, heal, and celebrate during Amsterdam Pride Week and throughout the year.
Every summer, at the end of July and early August, Amsterdam Pride Week starts to buzz with summer heat and an overdose of rainbows and glitter. It’s electric! But remember, Pride is also so much more than a party. Pride is a protest, it is our community, and we deserve positive representation 365 days a year. My Amsterdam Pride City Guide highlights restaurants, bars, groups and community spaces created by and for the queer community.
Amsterdam has a lot to offer, and we're fortunate to live in a progressive city that hosts female-friendly, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ initiatives, too. If ya ask me, there's a lot more to Amsterdam's queer community than the notoriously wild Reguliersdwarsstraat or the wild annual Pride Canal Parade. Keep reading to find out more…
Representation Matters.
This Amsterdam LGBTQ+ City Guide highlights my favorite parts of Amsterdam's queer culture, reflecting my experience as a queer woman of color. I hope my Amsterdam Pride City Guide will inspire visitors to look beyond the party scene and explore other dimensions of queer culture and community in Amsterdam too.
Regardless of where you are on your self-discovery journey, meeting like-minded people is key! There are plenty of fun, funky, safe spaces for queer people and our allies to eat, drink, meet, and of course, celebrate together during Pride Week and beyond!
I've been an Amsterdammer for over a decade, and, at first, I struggled to find where I fit in. Over the years, I noticed most of the Amsterdam queer-friendly travel guides are tailored to gay men and their party scene. Although that’s one aspect, the LGBTQ+ community is far more diverse and nuanced, with a range of people, experiences, identities, and curiosities that demand inclusivity. I hope my Amsterdam Pride City Guide helps others feel included, too!
As always, my bespoke City Guides are written from my own personal experience and perspective. If you have a fun event, safe space, or community to share, please get in touch. Happy Pride allemal!
Amsterdam LGBTQ+ Friendly Bars & Restaurants
Bar Barrio This female-founded creative hub and safe space tailored to the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities offers fun events and unique cocktails at their cozy bar along Bilderdijkstraat.
Bar Buka A female-founded lesbian bar on the Albert Cuypstraat in De Pijp, hosts community events for queer women and allies.
Brug 34 Along Utrechtsestraat, this bar and cafe offers food, drinks, and borrel (happy hour) plus a canalside terrace.
Cafe Saarein Created by and for Amsterdam's queer and lesbian scene, this brown cafe in the Jordaan has been serving the community since 1978.
Fabus On the bustling De Clerqstraat, you’ll find a ''small but fabulous'' women-led natural wine bar and restaurant that serves flavorful Leventine-inspired shared plates made by resident chef Monsieur Bou.
Pamela With a corner terrace near Kinkerstraat, this bar and cafe in Amsterdam West mixes up strong cocktails and a colorful vegetarian-friendly menu created by Siren Amsterdam.
Jen’s Bing Pop into this Taiwanese food truck turned cafe on the Ten Katemarkt for a refreshing bubble tea or savory bao bun.
Queer Beer New in town, this local brand brews with inclusivity in mind. Their hoppy, white Spicy Mango beer is available at De Nieuwe Anita, an alternative community space and music venue in Amsterdam West.
Saint Jean This plant-based bakery and specialty coffee shop bakes French-inspired vegan pastries. Across the street, their new venue, Saint Jean Deli, serves vegan soups and savory bites, too.
Skatecafé Located in Amsterdam Noord, this indoor skate park is an inclusive space that features a bar and pizzeria. Check their agenda for frequent Queer-friendly events.
Vrankrijk This autonomous political cafe (and former squat) in the city center serves vegan food and hosts occasional events, including poetry, live music, and WTF Queer Wednesdays.
Waterkant A tropical oasis along the canal serving cocktails and Surinamese food. In July 2022, this venue became home to the world’s largest Inclusive Pride Flag!
Rainbow washing? No thanks!
Of course, it's great to see more cities and companies give uplifting attention to the LGBTQ+ community during Pride each year, but I've noticed there's a fine line between corporate allyship and rainbow washing. Flying a Pride flag once a year doesn't cut it. As much as I've enjoyed celebrating Amsterdam Pride, the heavily commercial aspect soured my experience. I prefer to support and celebrate locally owned community spaces, so that's why I made my own Amsterdam Pride City Guide!
Amsterdam LGBTQ+ Friendly Music + Club Nights
Pon di Pride Dancehall and Caribbean party hosted by and for the BIPOC LGBTQ+ community.
House of Jungle Queer DJ collective hosting Afrohouse and amapiano parties.
Lovelee A queer-friendly venue offering art, entertainment, and club nights near Leidseplein.
Milkshake Festival An LGBTQ+ friendly festival and community celebrating people from all walks of life
The Living Room Ballroom Lessons Amsterdam-based community offering weekly ballroom classes.
Ms. Jones Musical events and club nights created by and for lesbians, queer women, and non-binary people.
Club NYX An open-minded nightclub on the famous Reguliersdwarsstraat offering parties for men, women, and everyone in between.
Tropikali Festival LGBTQ+ friendly summer festival at the NDSM.
Femmazing Women-only parties taking place in Amsterdam and across Holland.
Tens Amsterdam A bi-monthly queer club night starring the best of the Dutch Ballroom Scene.
House of Vineyard The Netherlands’ first Ball House was founded by pioneering Mother Amber Vineyard.
Amsterdam LGBTQ+ Friendly Cultural + Community Organizations
Queer Network LGBTQ+ Network for people of color.
Colourful Pride NL A grassroots organization offering workshops and events to bring empowerment, joy, and visibility to the LGBTQI+ Caribbean and BIPOC community.
We Reclaim Our Pride A local organization championing for an intersectional Pride celebration and queer liberation over rainbow capitalism.
Queers 4 Climate Dutch organization that stands against climate breakdown and self-organizes for a liveable planet.
Black Pride NL A grassroots organization and social justice movement centering and celebrating the Black LGBTQIA+ community of color.
Queer Skate Club A collective that brings queer people together through the joy of skating, events, community, and love.
Pride Walk Amsterdam’s annual Pride Protest + March from Dam Square to Vondelpark.
KnapHouse A Queer Culture Consultancy offering brands insight on inclusion.
Kindred Kuts Amsterdam’s only Queer Black Barber creating genderless haircuts in the city center.
LGBT Gay History Tours Discover the hidden history of Amsterdam with special guided tours.
Queer Currents An Amsterdam-based platform curating LGBTQI+ makers and events.
LGBT+ Amsterdam Walking Tour Discover more about the city’s LGBTQ"+ history with this self-guided walking tour from iAmsterdam.
Black Queer Trans Resistance A political action group in the Netherlands.
Bij1 A Dutch political party that advocated for system change and arose from a shared desire for connection, solidarity, justice, and equality.
Rosefilm Dagen Amsterdam’s LGBTQ+ film festival.
Unboxed Foundation A Dutch organization hosting events to make young people aware of equality, freedom, and diversity.
Homomonument cultural landmark along Prinsengracht to commemorate persecuted LGBTQ+ people.
Pink Point LGBTQ+ Info Center Amsterdam’s official information kiosk near the Homomoument offers insight on all things LGBTQ+ related in the city.
Unwanted Words Project platform for up & coming queer voices in poetry & spoken word in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and beyond.
My Amsterdam Guides are always evolving alongside the city itself.
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