Amsterdam’s Queer & Lesbian Nightlife – Where to Go, Who to Meet
Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most LGBTQ+ friendly capitals. But within that broad scene, there are special corners, bars and events that cater to queer women, non–binary folks and lesbians — safe, warm, community–orientated spots. Here’s a curated guide with addresses, websites and what makes each venue shine.
How to use this guide
Each venue below includes a direct link (opens in new tab), a short description of its character, and its address. At the end you’ll find meet–ups/events and tips for building your queer women’s night out in Amsterdam. Always check the venue website (times, theme nights, entry rules) before heading in.
Featured Bars & Clubs – Full Venue Cards
1. Bar Buka – “The Living-Room of Queer Women”
- Vibe: 80 % women & NB crowd, board-game tables, disco in the back after 23:00.
- Hours: Tue-Thu 17:00-01:00, Fri 17:00-03:00, Sat 15:00-03:00, Sun 15:00-01:00, Mon CLOSED.
- Cover: Free Tue-Thu, Fri-Sat €5 after 00:00 (card only).
- Card/Cash: Pin preferred; no AMEX.
- Smoking: Small heated patio (legal). Indoor = no smoking/vapes.
- Accessibility: Step-free entrance, gender-neutral toilet on ground floor.
- Age: 18+; no ID = no entry.
Insider tip
Arrive 19:00-21:00 for a free “kopstoot” (genever & beer) if you tell the bartender “I’m new in town and queer”. Really, they’ll wink and pour.
2. Café Saarein – Heritage Lesbian Brown Café (Est. 1978)
- Vibe: No-frills Jordaan local; mixed age 30-70; pool table; lesbian memorabilia on walls.
- Hours: Mon-Thu 16:00-01:00, Fri 15:00-02:00, Sat 14:00-02:00, Sun 14:00-01:00.
- Cover: Always free.
- Card/Cash: Cash until 22:00, then PIN only.
- Smoking: Outdoor pavement benches only.
- Accessibility: 2 shallow steps at door; toilet on ground floor but narrow doorway (not wheel-chair perfect).
History snippet
Saarein started as a women-only squat bar in 1978; the name is an anagram of “Arsiene”, the cat in the Dutch comic “Suske & Wiske” – a secret wink to lesbians at the time.
3. Café ’t Mandje – World’s First Openly Gay Bar (1927)
- Vibe: Museum-like interior; motorbike on the ceiling; mixed crowd; lesbian regulars on Sunday afternoon.
- Hours: Daily 16:00-01:00 (kitchen till 22:00).
- Cover: Free.
- Card/Cash: Both accepted.
- Accessibility: 3 steep stairs – not suitable for mobility scooters.
4. De Lellebel – Alt-Drag & Karaoke Dungeon
- Vibe: 50 % trans/NB, 30 % women, 20 % allies; punk-drag shows; karaoke Wed & Sun.
- Hours: Wed 21:00-03:00, Fri-Sat 22:00-04:00, Thu/Sun occasional – check IG.
- Cover: Wed free, Fri-Sat €7 (card only).
- Smoking: Indoor smoking allowed (legal small-room exemption).
- Accessibility: 1 step, narrow toilet – not great.
5. Club NYX – 3-Storey Queer Temple
- Vibe: 40 % women/NB on Fri; pop & techno; dark-room on top floor; toilets become dance podiums after 03:00.
- Hours: Thu 23:00-05:00, Fri-Sat 23:00-08:00 (yes, 8 a.m.).
- Cover: Thu €8, Fri €15, Sat €18 (card only).
- Age: 18+ (ID scanned).
- Accessibility: Lift to all floors; gender-neutral toilets on 1st floor; strobe warnings.
6. PRIK – Cocktail & Bubble-Bar
- Vibe: Early-evening warm-up; 60 % queer women before midnight; giant prosecco bubbles projected on wall.
- Hours: Sun-Thu 15:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 15:00-03:00.
- Cover: Free.
- Happy Hour: 17:00-19:00 €5 cocktails.
- Accessibility: Step-free, gender-neutral toilet, low music volume until 22:00 (handy for autistic visitors).
Queer-Women & Non-Binary ONLY / Majority Events
| Event | When | Venue | Cover | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BFemme | 1st Saturday | Blend XL (West) | €12 | 22:00-04:00; 90 % women/NB; R’n’B & house |
| Galaxy | 2nd Friday | Club Church (Kerkstraat) | €15 | Fetish-friendly but women+NB only until 02:00 |
| Venus Rising | Quarterly (check IG) | Parallel (West) | €18 | Live indie bands + DJ, 80 % sapphic crowd |
| Milky Way Festival | 1st weekend October | Various | Weekend pass €45 | 3-day queer women art & club take-over |
All tickets via Paylogic or door (card only).
Pre- or Post-Game Food (Queer-friendly & Late)
- Foodhallen (Bellamyplein 51) – indoor street-food court open till 23:00 Sun-Wed, 01:00 Thu-Sat; queer staff, vegan options.
- Meatless District (Bilderdijkstraat 65) – 100 % plant-based kitchen till 22:00; 5-min cycle from Bar Buka.
- Kebab-queer @ Kebabi (Lange Niezel 8) – drag-queen owned döner until 04:00 Fri-Sat, 02:00 rest; rainbow sauce is vegan garlic.
- Thuis bij Saar (Tweede van der Helststraat 3) – lesbian-owned tiny pancake house; open 10:00-02:00 Fri-Sat, perfect after NYX.
Safe & Fun – Practical Stuff
Night Transport
- GVB night buses (marked with “N”) run every 30 min 00:30-05:00. Buy €4.50 night ticket in GVB app or tap bank card.
- Queer-friendly taxi apps: TCA (yellow cabs), Bolt, Uber. Add “Rainbow Code” in Uber notes – drivers see you’re LGBTQ+ ally.
Useful Dutch Ice-Breakers
| English | Dutch | Pronounce |
|---|---|---|
| Cheers! | Proost! | prohst |
| Are you queer? | Ben je queer? | ben yuh kweer |
| What time does the party start? | Hoe laat begint het feest? | who laat buh-HINT het fayst |
24h Pharmacy & Health
- Pharmacy “Benz” Leidsestraat 74 (24h) – PEP, morning-after pill, earplugs.
- Test-Aankoop drug-check – free anonymous MDMA/pill check Wed 18:00-20:00 @ Jellinek (Weesperzijde 120).
Queer Women & NB Sports / Culture Clubs
- HotScots Football – women & NB training every Sunday 14:00 @ Vondelpark (free first time).
- Queer Climbing Amsterdam – Tue 19:30 @ Kunstberg Bouldering (€12 incl shoes).
- Amsterdam Lesbian Book Club – monthly, English language, location rotates (DM @ALBC_Amsterdam).
- Pink Choir Amsterdam – welcomes all voices; rehearsals Thu 19:30 @ Oostkerk (first visit free).
52-Hour Model Itinerary (Fri-Sun)
Friday
- 17:00 – Happy-hour cocktails @ PRIK (€5)
- 19:00 – Vegan burgers @ Meatless District
- 21:00 – Drag karaoke warm-up @ De Lellebel
- 00:30 – Night bus N85 to Club NYX, dance till 05:00
- 06:00 – Pancakes @ Thuis bij Saar
Saturday
- 14:00 – Cure hangover @ Foodhallen (vegan dim-sum)
- 16:00 – Queer history shot @ Café ’t Mandje
- 18:00 – Chill board-games @ Bar Buka
- 21:00 – BFemme party (if 1st Sat) or Galaxy (if 2nd Fri)
Sunday
- 12:00 – Queer climbing try-out
- 14:00 – Saarein for Sunday “dyke date” pool tournament
- 17:00 – Ferry to NDSM for sunset, back to centre 19:00
- 20:00 – Early flight? Take train @ 20:31 from Centraal (runs 24h on weekends)
FAQ – First-Timer Questions
- Do I need to speak Dutch?
- No, everyone speaks English. A simple “Proost” earns you smiles.
- Is there a dress code?
- NYX & Galaxy: fetish encouraged but not required. Elsewhere: jeans & sneakers fine.
- Can I pay cash?
- Most venues are card-only; keep €20 cash for street food or emergency cigarettes.
- Are the spaces trans-inclusive?
- All venues listed explicitly welcomed trans & NB guests. Toilet policies are flagged per venue.
- Solo safety?
- Amsterdam is safe; still share live location with a friend. Night buses are well-lit and monitored.
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