Amsterdam: Gay and Lesbian Stay and Play

It's hard to imagine a more gay- and lesbian-friendly travel destination than Amsterdam. With a rich history as a city of firsts for gay rights, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) visitors needn't search for rainbow flags to find a hotel, restaurant or bar with an open-minded welcome. Gay-friendliness permeates most every corner of the city.

Where to stay, eat, drink and play

That said, there are hundreds of gay bars/dance clubs, restaurants and hotels that could be described more accurately as 'gay-trendy', most of which are located in one of four main districts. The Reguliersdwarsstraat is the hub of upscale gay bars like relaxed Soho, trendy April, and the city's biggest gay dance club, Exit. Sleek ARC serves tapas and transforms into a late-night lounge. In fair weather the street feels like one big terrace, as patrons spill out under the neon glow.

Bars

The area where the Halvemaanssteeg alley meets the Amstel, near Rembrandtplein, is home to old-school Amstel Taveerne and smaller bars like Entre Nous and Montmartre. Leather bars, gay shops and cinemas line the Warmoesstraat in the Red Light District. It's here you'll find the oldest leather bar, Argos, alongside places like Getto, a favourite campy cocktail bar that happens to have some of the best gourmet burgers in town. Kerkstraat, near Leidseplein, is home to gay hotels like the Golden Bear and Amistad, as well as new kinky cruiser club Church.

Lesbians

Lesbians look beyond these gay-dominated districts to find Saarein II, a long-running lesbian bar in the cozy Jordaan area. Vive la Vie welcomes lesbians amongst old-Hollywood posters and an Art Deco atmosphere. For those on a budget or who like to wander off the beaten path, check out the Sunday night party from De Trut, a local-favourite underground gathering in the Oud West (Old West) area.

Not just tolerated...celebrated!

The street parties, club events and exhibitions of Amsterdam Pride draw more than 350,000 participants and visitors each year. On the first Saturday in August, thousands of onlookers line the Prinsengracht to watch the world's only pride parade on water. The cavalcade of colourful canal boats packed with hundreds of extravagantly costumed revellers is like nothing most people have ever seen.

Truly a manifestation of Amsterdam's openness to gay and lesbian culture, several Dutch companies (including the City of Amsterdam, ABN AMRO, ING and TNT) sponsor boats to support their LGBT employees. The unforgettable sight draws throngs of spectators of all sexual orientations. Locals of all ages perch on their stately canal-side stoops to cheer and even follow up the floating parade in their own boats.