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Written by
Matt Bainbridge
World Pride comes to Amsterdam this summer, 25 years since the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. The canal parade alone is worth the trip, but the city has centuries of LGBTQ+ history and a living queer culture to explore beyond the main stage. Here's where to find it.
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Homomonument
Unveiled in 1987, this three-part, pink-granite memorial commemorates queer people who have been persecuted for their sexual orientation. The first in the world of its kind, it’s central to Pride celebrations, and hosts queer-focused events throughout the year.
Westermarkt, Amsterdam. A 10-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal, or tram 13/17 to Westermarkt.
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Pink Point
This volunteer-run kiosk beside the Homomonument is part-information hub, part-community noticeboard. Stop by to shop for queer souvenirs and to get the scoop on club nights beyond the World Pride program.
Westermarkt, Amsterdam. Beside the Homomonument.
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Cafe ‘t Mandje
Opened in 1927 by Bet van Beeren, Café 't Mandje is widely considered the oldest queer bar in the world still in operation. Bet passed away in 1967, and the bar’s interior has barely changed since. Squeeze in for a storytelling night or a post-parade drink among the decades of queer memorabilia.
Zeedijk 63, Amsterdam. A 5-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal.
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RAUM
This nightclub sits at the heart of Amsterdam's queer underground, with enveloping sound systems and architect-designed spaces setting the scene for self-expression. With 11 nights scheduled for July and August centered on the theme of desire, deeper connections on the dancefloor await.
Humberweg 3, 1043 AC Amsterdam. A 10-minute walk from Sloterdijk station. Check clubraum.nl for programme info and tickets.
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Rijksmuseum
Best known for its masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, Amsterdam’s flagship museum has a collection of queer art hiding in plain sight. Self-guided tours reveal LGBTQ+ stories behind historic figures, with depictions of same-sex relationships in centuries past. The World Pride Village pops up on Museumplein, directly behind the Rijksmuseum, from August 5–8.
Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam. A 20-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal, or tram 2/12 to Rijksmuseum.
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IHLIA LGBTI Heritage
Housed inside the public library on the Oosterdok, IHLIA is the Netherlands' dedicated archive of LGBTQ+ history and culture. Its collection of books, periodicals, films, and personal testimonies spans decades of queer life in the Netherlands and beyond. Ideal for a quiet moment away from the crowded canals.
OBA Oosterdok, Oosterdokskade 143, Amsterdam. A 5-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal.
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Badass Tours
This company’s walking tours delve into Amsterdam’s queer heritage from the Middle Ages to the present. Guides are trained storytellers who connect places to the people who lived there, covering a broader range of perspectives than most museums would dare to share.
Check badasstours.nl for schedules and booking.
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Matt Bainbridge
Polarsteps editor
