6 of the best gay bars in Amsterdam

Visiting Amsterdam and want to find the best queer venues in the city? Already a local and looking for somewhere to be yourself? Below, we've rounded up just a few of our favourite LGBTQIA+ bars, clubs and parties to help you find the perfect spot, whether you're after a cosy beer in a historic bar, or a drag-queen knees-up with happy hour cocktails.

Planning a night out? Find LGBTQ+ events near you now.

Pamela 

A self-professed safe haven for the community, clad with an interior of green, red, purple, pink and white, Pamela is full to the brim with technicolour works of art and quirky vintage furniture. A space dedicated both to the queer and BIPOC community, Pamela's been on the scene since 2020, bringing with it an extensive menu of cocktails, tasty food and an even tastier lineup of multi-genre entertainment.

Jacob van Lennepstraat 86, Amsterdam – pamela.amsterdam

Lellebel  

Punters have been known to refer to this bar as a 'queer grunge dive bar'. Blink and you'll miss it - De Lellebel is tiny. But the entertainment makes up for it; running all week, swing by for everything from karaoke to crowd-sourced DJ sets. The bar is owned and operated by queer people, and leans heavily into drag and gender freedom. Everyone's welcome, including allies. De Lellebel is a tiny drag bar where the iconic clientele provides all the entertainment themselves. Though most people will be found in drag, admirers and friends are welcome and the atmosphere is friendly.

Utrechtsestraat 4, Amsterdam – lellebel.nl

Get last minute Taylor Swift tickets safely and securely

De Trut 

A volunteer-run queer disco with all profits going to LGBTQ+ projects, De Trut's your go-to for something iconic. Not to mention, this party is a slice of Amsterdam queer history, having existed for over 38 years.

Heads up, this is a phone-free space, to keep things liberating for all.

Bilderdijkstraat 165, Amsterdam – trutfonds.nl

Taboo Bar 

Head to Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amsterdam's rainbow street, for Taboo Bar and sister spot, Taboo Kantine. Come for the happy hour (every single day from 6pm), stay for the games, drag queens and impeccable vibes. Upstairs is more spacious, downstairs is where things tend to get more hectic, but wherever you situate yourself, prepare for a great night.

Reguliersdwarsstraat 45, Amsterdam – taboobar.nl

PRIK Amsterdam 

If you're looking for a bar in the middle of the city, except with a little space to breathe, head to PRIK. It's slightly off the main streets, meaning it's an if-you-know-you-know kind of situation. Plus, this spot is home to a terrace once voted the best LGBT terrace in Amsterdam. The slogan? "Queer or not, PRIK is hot." The vibe? A diverse clientele, cool music and cute events.

Spuistraat 109, Amsterdam – prikamsterdam.nl

Café het Mandje

No queer bar crawl is complete without a stop-off at this legendary watering hole. It was opened in the late 1920s by Bet van Beeren, and remained a mainstay for the community for around six decades. The space reopened in 2008 to much enthusiasm and fanfare, and has resumed its title as one of Amsterdam's top LGBTQIA+ venues. It's a historic venue, but also delightfully down-to-earth.

Zeedijk 63, Amsterdam – cafetmandje.amsterdam

Find tickets for pop concerts near you