AMSTERDAM
Leather life in Amsterdam hasn’t quite been the same since the closure of the legendary Argos, the world’s oldest leather bar. But don’t fret. Amsterdam in still one of Europe’s top fetish cities.
Hot-spot neighborhoods: Centrum, De Wallen (better known as the Red Light District), Grachtengordel (the Canal Ring), Jordaan, Nieuwmarkt (Seriously, the whole fucking city is gay!)
Drink Fuck Shake Buy Crash Eat Pump Trim Ink Hang See Plan
WHERE TO DRINK (AND CRUISE)
The Cuckoo’s Nest (Nieuwezijds Kolk 6, Centrum) Not the leather bar it used to be, but still a cruise bar with a manly vibe. link
Dirty Dicks (Warmoesstr 86, De Wallen) Filling the hole left on Warmoesstraat by the departure of Argos. link
Eagle Amsterdam (Warmoesstr 90, De Wallen) Along with Dirty Dicks, the Eagle is keeping the spirit of Warmoesstraat alive. link
Spijker Bar (Kerkstr 4, Grachtengordel) A longstanding gay bar on gay Kerkstraat with a pool table. Not as leathery as it used to be, but still dark and cruisy. link
The Web (Sint Jacobbstr 6, Centrum) Popular, longstanding leather bar. link
WHERE TO FUCK
drake’s cruising club (Damrak 61, Centrum) Stylish, centrally located sex club. link
Eagle Amsterdam (Warmoesstr 90, De Wallen) The Eagle hosts sex parties, including the Amsterdam branch of the notorious German FickstutenMarkt parties. link
FickstutenMarkt You’ve probably heard of it. Mares get hooded and can’t refuse any stallions that want to mount them. Are you a stallion or a mare? link
Man to Man Shop and Cinema (Spuistr 21, Centrum) Sex shop with active video booths. link
Nieuwezijds (Nieuwezijds Armsteeg 95, Centrum) Very highly regarded bathhouse. NZ is close to Centraal Station, so you can always come in for a quickie and then catch your train. link
WHERE TO SHAKE YOUR ASS (AND CRUISE)
Bear-Necessity (Oostelijke Handelskade 4 at Panama, Eastern Docklands) Monthly-ish dance parties for gear-ish bears. link
Church (Kerkstr 52, Grachtengordel) Kinky cruise club with a very active backroom on gay Kerkstraat (Church Street) with fetish theme nights. Check out the calendar for the leather-friendly Furball parties and more! link
Eagle Amsterdam (Warmoesstr 90, De Wallen) Dancing on Warmoesstraat. link
XXXLeather (Kerkstr 52 at Church, Grachtengordel) Amsterdam’s men-only dress-code enforced leather and fetish dance and play parties. link
WHERE TO BUY GEAR
Alfa Blue (Nieuwendijk 26, Centrum) Traditional Amsterdam sex shop near Centraal Station. link
Black Body (Kerkstr 173, Grachtengordel) A fully stocked shop for fetish wear on Kerkstraat. link
Breathcatchers (Sint Antoniesbreestr 8, Nieuwmarkt) Custom, one-of-a-kind kink-wear. link
The Bronx (Kerkstr 53-55, Grachtengordel) Traditional Amsterdam sex shop on gay Kerkstraat. link
Gays & Gadgets (Spuistr 44, Centrum) Gay stuff, sex stuff, and fetish wear. link
House of Riegillio (Reguliersdwarsstr 39, Grachtengordel) First brick-and-mortar store of the smokin’ hot fetish brand Mr. Riegillio. link
Man to Man Shop and Cinema (Spuistr 21, Centrum) Sex shop with active video booths. link
Mister B (Prinsengr 192, Jordaan) After decades on Warmoesstraat, Mister B has moved his flagship into a new superstore on the Prinsengracht in the Jordaan. link
RoB Amsterdam (Warmoesstr 71, De Wallen) Amsterdam’s classic leather store on Warmoesstraat, in its 5th decade. link
Smart Fetish & Fantasy (Oudebrugsteeg 10, De Wallen) There’s not much you can’t find or have custom-made here. link
Underground Fetish (Spuistr 44, Centrum) A relatively newish place on Amsterdam’s fetish scene, right downstairs from Gays & Gadgets. link
WHERE TO CRASH (AND MAYBE FUCK SOME MORE)
The Albus (Vijzelstr 49, Grachtengordel) A design hotel on the corner of Reguliersdwarsstraat, one of Amsterdam’s gayest streets. link
Amistad Hotel (Kerkstr 42, Grachtengordel) Not primarily gay or adults-only like it used to be, but still a very gay-friendly B&B on gay Kerkstraat. link
Anco Hotel (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 55, De Wallen) For decades, the Anco, located in the heart of the Red Light District, was a men-only hotel catering primarily to Leathermen. Sadly, that has changed, as so much has. But it’s still a very gay-friendly hotel. Most rooms have shared baths. link
Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht (Prinsengr 192, the 9 Streets/Grachtengordel) Luxury Hyatt property in the 9 Streets shopping mecca. link
art’otel amsterdam (Prins Hendrikkade 33, Centrum) High-end, art-filled property directly opposite Centraal Station. link
DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station (Oosterdoksstr 4, Centrum) A place to get your Hilton points on the waterfront. link
Eden Hotel Amsterdam (Amstel 144, Grachtengordel) A friendly riverside hotel. link
Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam (Prins Hendrikkade 108, Nieuwmarkt) Luxury hotel in a former shipping house near Centraal Station. link
Hotel Amstelzicht (Amstel 104, Grachtengordel) A riverside hotel in a 17th-century townhouse. link
Hotel CC Amsterdam (Warmoesstr 42, De Wallen) A casual hotel conveniently located right on Warmoesstraat. link
Hotel Mercier (Rozenstr 12, Jordaan) Gay design hotel in the Jordaan. link
Hotel The Exchange (Damrak 50, Centrum) Trendy hotel with rooms decorated by fashion students, close to Warmoesstraat. link
The Hoxton (Herengr 255, the 9 Streets/Grachtengordel) Chic hotel set in adjoining canal houses on the Herengracht, in the 9 Streets shopping mecca. link
Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Centre (Nieuwezijds Kolk 19, Centrum) Modern meets historic at this centrally located property. link
Mauro Mansion (Geldersakade 16, De Wallen) Gay hotel in a 16th-century canalhouse near Centraal Station. No kids under 12 allowed. link
NH Collection Amsterdam Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky (Dam 9, De Wallen) A grande dame on Dam Square, right where Warmoesstraat begins. link
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam (Damrak 1-5, Centrum) A refined property directly opposite Centraal Station. link
Quentin Golden Bear Hotel (Kerkstr 37, Grachtengordel) Casual hotel located in two 18th-century buildings on gay Kerkstraat. link
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam Hotel (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 55, De Wallen) Luxury hotel in a 15th-century convent building. link
W Amsterdam (Spuistr 175, Centrum) A trendy spot to get your Marriott points in Amsterdam. link
WHERE TO EAT (AND CRUISE)
Café de Jaren (Nieuwe Doelenstr 20, De Wallen) Canalside terrace dining near a number of gay spots. link
Garlic Queen (Reguliersdwarsstr 27, Grachtengordel) A must if you love garlic. You might want to avoid making out in a bar afterwards. But cocks don’t have taste buds, so you’ll be just fine down on your knees. link
Lola the Green Aardvark (Mauritskade 100-A H, Oost) A welcoming canalside spot serving drinks and bites, with outdoor seating. link
WHERE TO PUMP IRON (AND CRUISE)
Fit For Free Amsterdam Looiersgracht (Looiersgr 26, Jordaan) Small gym in the Jordaan. link
Splash Health Club Amsterdam (Lijnbaansgr 241, Grachtengordel) Widely recognized as Amsterdam’s gayest gym. Just off busy Leidseplein. link
SportCity Amsterdam Waterlooplein (Jodenbreestr 6, Nieuwmarkt) Centrally located. Somewhat limited facilities. link
WHERE TO GET A BUZZ CUT AND BEARD TRIM
Cuts and Curls Hairstyling for Men (Korte Leidsedwarsstr 74, Grachtengordel) Why wouldn’t you want to get your hair cut in Amsterdam by an Amsterdam Leatherman? link
WHERE TO GET INKED
La Familia Tattoos (Oudekerksplein 60-H, De Wallen) Fine art for your body, in the middle of the Red Light District. link
WHO TO HANG WITH
Amsterdam Kink Academy Fetish guys who love to host events for the community. link
BLUF Amsterdam For men into full dress leather uniform. Gear up and join them at their monthly social. link
Leather Friends Netherlands A group promoting the Dutch Leather Community aiming to put Amsterdam back on the leather and fetish map. link
MotorsportClub Amsterdam Europe’s oldest Leather club. link
WHAT TO SEE WHILE YOU’RE IN TOWN
Homomonument (Westmarkt, Grachtengordel) The Homomonument opened in 1987 as the world’s first monument celebrating gay emancipation and memorializing LGBT victims of persecution. One of its three pink granite triangles juts into the Keizersgracht. While you’re in the neighborhood, don’t miss the Anne Frank House, just around the corner. link
WHAT TO PLAN FOR
July/August
Amsterdam Gay Pride The highlight of a week of parties and celebrations is the world-famous Canal Pride. link
October/November
Leather & Fetish Pride Amsterdam One of Europe’s top Leather events. link