Bear Necessity 2025

Address: Nieuwe Doelenstraat 2, 1012 Binnenstad, The Netherlands

• Elegant five-star hotel on the Amstel river in central Amsterdam
• Historic building plus full luxury amenities (spa, fine dining)
• Top-tier service from staff that go above and beyond
• Rooms beautifully finished, some with river-views and balconies
• Night noise possible—pick quieter room if sensitive
• Website

Address: Vijzelstraat 4, 1017 Binnenstad, The Netherlands

• Historic 1920s building, fully refreshed in 2019
• Central base beside the Flower Market
• Modern rooms with coffee makers and plush beds
• Big breakfast, Ter Marsch & Co on site, small gym
• Great location with some street/canal noise risk
• Website

Address: Vijzelstraat 49, 1017 Binnenstad, The Netherlands

• Central base by the Flower Market and Rembrandtplein
• Modern rooms with rain showers and Nespresso
• Senses Restaurant for inventive tasting menus
• Green Key Gold sustainability program
• Ask for a quiet room if you’re noise-sensitive
• Website

Address: Nieuwe Doelenstraat 24, 1012 Binnenstad, The Netherlands

• Historic luxury hotel on the Amstel
• Rembrandt lore, refined rooms, strong service
• Steps to Dam Square and Rembrandt House
• Canal-view rooms are the prize pick
• Lower river rooms can get city noise
• Website

Address: Utrechtsestraat 19, Amsterdam 1017 VH

• Brunch-and-cocktail bar on Utrechtsestraat
• Daytime café-vibe, nighttime queer-inclusive bar
• Modern décor, welcoming staff, central spot
• Great for brunch then drinks with friends
• Relatively new, fresh energy in Amsterdam nightlife
• Open: Monday–Wednesday 8am–10pm, Thursday 8am–12am
• Friday 8am–1am, Saturday 9am–1am
• Sunday 9am–10pm
• Website

Address: Weteringstraat 60, Amsterdam 1017 SP

• Relaxed café-bar near the Museum Quarter
• Canal terrace for sunny afternoons
• Comfort food at lunch and early dinner
• Friendly staff and local hangout vibe
• Easy base before Reguliers nightlife
• Open: Daily 12pm–10pm
• Instagram

Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 41, 1017 BK Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Popular gay bar on Reguliersdwarsstraat
• Two floors with DJs drag and bingo
• Friendly staff strong cocktails lively terrace
• Mixed LGBTQ+ crowd plus friends
• Best after 11pm Fri–Sat
• Open: Mon–Thu 3pm–3am, Fri–Sat 2pm–4am, Sun 3pm–4am
• Website

Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 44, 1017 BM Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Big party bar on the Gay Street
• DJs, drag, dancers, strong pop energy
• Gay crowd plus friends
• Lively from late, busy at weekends
• Easy hop from Bar Blend
• Open: Thu 8pm–1am, Fri & Sat 8pm–3am, (Sun–Wed closed)
• Website

Address: Zeedijk 63, 1012 Amsterdam, The Netherlands

• Historic gay bar from 1927
• Tiny space full of character
• Friendly crowd and classic pop tunes
• Good first stop before bigger bars
• Feels like a piece of Amsterdam nightlife history
• Open: Mon–Thu 4pm–1am, Fri–Sat 2pm–3am, Sun 2pm–1am
• Facebook

Address: Amstel Fifty Four

• Historic Amstel address, now a general bar
• Compact room with a canal-side terrace
• Pop/lounge soundtrack, relaxed pace
• Mixed crowd, friendly staff
• Good for a quiet pre-game near Rembrandtplein
• Open: Mon–Tue 4pm–10pm, Wed–Sun 2pm–10pm
• Website

Address: Elandsstraat 119-HS, 1016 RX Amsterdam

• Historic gay-friendly café in the Jordaan
• Legacy lesbian bar with warm brown-café decor
• Pool, darts, strong beer range and mixed crowd
• Inclusive, social and relaxed vibe
• Great for a friendly drink rather than heavy clubbing
• Open: Wed–Thu 4pm–1am, Fri 4pm–2am, Sat 12pm–2am
• Sun 4pm–1am, (Mon–Tue closed)
• Website

Address: Jacob van Lennepstraat 86H, 1053 HM Amsterdam

• Gay-friendly bar in Oud-West
• Cocktails, veggie bites, sunny terrace
• Relaxed early, lively later with DJs
• Artsy room with vintage character
• Warm service, locals and visitors
• Open: Tue–Thu from 5pm, Fri–Sun from 4pm
• Instagram

Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 42, 1017 BM Amsterdam

• LGBTQ-friendly club on the Gay Street
• Three floors, pop/house/throwbacks
• Gay crowd plus friends and allies
• Theme nights with drag and dancers
• Peaks after 12am on weekends
• Open: Wed–Thu 11pm–4am Fri–Sat 11pm–5am
• Sun 11pm–4am, (Mon–Tue closed)
• Website

Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 129, 1017 BL Amsterdam

• Small gay bar near Rembrandtplein
• Karaoke bingo and drag nights
• 80s/90s and Dutch pop soundtrack
• Friendly staff and easy crowd
• Lively from later evening on weekends
• Open: Wed-Thu 5pm–1am, Fri-Sat 5pm–4am
• Sun 3pm–1am (Mon–Tue closed)
• Website

Address: Bilderdijkpark 12A, 1052 RV Amsterdam

• Sunday-only, volunteer-run gay disco
• Pop, disco, throwbacks, packed floor
• Cheap drinks, no-photos culture
• Community vibe, profits to causes
• Expect a queue; worth it
• Open: Sun 10pm–3am
• Website

Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 42a, Amsterdam 1017 BM

• Gay-bar on Reguliersdwarsstraat with full party mode
• Pop/house music, DJs, shots and late dancing
• Young, loud crowd and bold atmosphere
• Not for quiet nights—expect energy and volume
• Still open and active in 2025
• Open: Mon–Tue 10pm–4am, Wed–Thu 9pm–4am,
• Fri–Sat 9pm–5am, Sun 10pm–4am
• Facebook

Address: Utrechtsestraat 4, 1017 VN Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Tiny gay bar with drag and karaoke
• Warm staff and friendly crowd
• Camp shows and lively Sunday karaoke
• Arrive early on weekends
• Great pre-club stop near Rembrandtplein
• Open: Thu 9pm–12am, Fri & Sat 9pm–1am, Sun 8pm–2am
• (Mon–Wed closed)
• Facebook

Address: Spuistraat 109, 1012 SV Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Gay bar near Dam Square with pink décor
• Cocktails, prosecco on tap, terrace seating
• Lounge vibe early, party tempo late night
• Friendly crowd of locals and visitors
• Regularly featured among top gay bars in Amsterdam
• Open: Mon–Thu 4pm–1am, Fri 4pm–3am, Sat 3pm–3am
• Sun 3pm–1am
• Website

Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 36, 1017 Binnenstad, The Netherlands

• Gay bar on the Gay Street
• Pub vibe downstairs, party room upstairs
• Pop and dance with DJs on busy nights
• Younger crowd, buzzy and social
• Great pre-club stop on weekends
• Open: Wed–Thu 6pm–3am, Fri–Sat 6pm–4am
• Sun 6pm–3am, (Mon–Tue closed)
• Website

Address: Kerkstraat 4, 1017 Amsterdam, The Netherlands

• Historic gay bar on Kerkstraat
• Pool table, dark room and a warm hang-out vibe
• Men-only naked night on Tuesdays, drag bingo Saturdays
• Gay crowd looking to relax and meet rather than club
• Old-school charm with friendly staff
• Open: Tue–Thu 4pm–1am, Fri–Sat 4pm–3am
• Sun 4pm–1am, (Monday: closed)
• Website

Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 45, 1017 Binnenstad, The Netherlands

• Gay bar on Reguliersdwarsstraat with lounge and dance modes
• Two levels with terrace and upstairs chill area
• Weekly events: cocktails night, drag shows
• Mixed gay crowd, friendly vibe, good cocktails
• Smart stop before the late-night club scene
• Open: Mon–Thu 4pm–3am, Fri–Sat 3pm–4am, Sun 3pm–3am
• Facebook

Address: Zeedijk 20, 1012 Amsterdam, The Netherlands

• Historic gay bar with canal views
• Drag Queen Bingo Tuesdays plus shows and DJs
• Small room lively vibe friendly team
• Mixed locals and visitors near Central Station
• Best later in the evening on weekends
• Open: Mon–Thu 4pm–1am, Fri–Sat 4pm–3am, Sun 4pm–1am
• Website

Address: Kerkstraat 52, 1017 GM Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Gay men’s club with nightly themes
• Underwear nude and fetish parties
• Lockers showers maze and play zones
• Mixed ages friendly and flirty
• Best late on Fri–Sat
• Open: Tue–Sun from 9pm, late close (varies by event), Mon closed
• Website

Address: Nieuwezijds Kolk 6, 1012 PV Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Gay men’s bar and cruise club in Amsterdam
• Large basement with maze and play cabins
• Free entry, drink purchase expected
• Old-school vibe with friendly crowd
• Ideal for late-night action rather than bar hopping
• Open: Sun–Thu 1pm–1am, Fri–Sat 1pm–2am
• Website

Address: Warmoesstraat 90, 1012 JH Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Gay men’s club with strong leather/fetish focus
• Multiple levels: bar, lounge, dance floor, darkroom
• Theme parties and live DJs late on weekends
• Mostly gay men, mix of locals and visitors
• Bold nightlife choice near Red Light District
• Open: Thu 10pm–4am, Fri–Sat 10pm–5am, Sun 10pm–4am
• (Mon–Wed: Closed)
• Website

Address: Warmoesstraat 86, 1012 JH Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Gay men’s cruise bar and fetish spot on Warmoesstraat
• Two floors with darkrooms, cabins and play areas
• Bar early, cruising and play later into the night
• Heavy fetish and leather cast, gay crowd
• Strong late-night option after regular clubs
• Open: Mon–Thu 8pm–3am, Fri–Sat 8pm–4am, Sun 8pm–3am
• Website

Address: Amstel 178, 1017 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Men-only gay bar with nudity dress code
• Relaxed lounge vibe and pool table
• Friendly team and clear house rules
• Late-night crowd, intimate energy
• Canal-side location on the Amstel
• Open: Thu 8pm–2am, Fri–Sat8 pm–3am
• Sun 5pm–1am (Mon–Tue–Wed closed)
• Website

Address: Sint Jacobsstraat 6, 1012 NC Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Gay bar aimed at bears and friends
• Themed bear-friendly nights and cocktails
• Men-only play area (unless event states otherwise)
• Community-driven hangout rather than mainstream club
• Opened May 2025 in former The Web location
• Open: Mon–Wed 6pm–12am,Thu 1pm–1am
• Fri & Sat 1pm–2am, Sun 1pm–1am
• Website

Address: Rotates

• Signature Amsterdam gay party series
• International DJs and big production
• Go-go dancers and show moments
• Social, high-octane crowd
• Dates and venue vary by edition
• Event-based; typically 10pm–5am or 11pm–7am
• Website

Address: Reguliersdwarsstraat 48, 1017 BM Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Lesbian bar on the Gay Street
• Compact room with a friendly crowd
• Cocktails first, pop and R&B later
• Women-focused, men welcome on regular nights
• Great pre-party stop next to Blend XL
• Open: Fri–Sat 8pm–3am, (Sun–Thu closed)
• Website

Address: Damrak 61, 1012 LL Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Men-only gay cruise club on Damrak
• Video cabins, darkroom and maze
• Buy entry in the boutique downstairs
• Discrete setup, locker options
• Best later in the day
• Open: Mon–Sun 12pm–7pm
• Website

Address: Bilderdijkstraat 186, 1053 LD Amsterdam

• Gay-friendly bar and creative hub
• Art shows workshops DJs and pop-ups
• Cozy room with a friendly mixed crowd
• Good cocktails and easy service
• Solid start before a bigger night
• Open: Wed-Thu 4pm–1am, Fri-Sat 4pm–2:30am
• Sun 4pm–1am (Mon–Tue closed)
• Website