gaynews.nl is a decent if not great source of gay and lesbian info about Amsterdam. Gay and Night is the best of the local print magazines.
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For excellent general information about Amsterdam (including very good gay and lesbian details), check out amsterdam.info.
Tips
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Get your bearings by stopping by the Pink Point, the gay and lesbian information kiosk at the Homomonument.
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The Dutch tend to eat dinner earlier than southern Europeans so plan to eat around 7pm or 8pm. "Cafes" are really pubs (which may or may not serve food) while "coffee shops" are really places to imbibe in pot and other soft drugs.
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Like many other European cities, the building number appears after the street name in Dutch addresses. An address including "straat" refers to a street name while an address including "gracht" refers to a street facing the canal by the same name.
All flights arrive at Schiphol Airport (airport code AMS) located 18km southwest of the city centre.
Schiphol has the reputation as one of the most efficient and traveller-friendly airports anywhere. The duty free shopping is excellent.
The quickest and least expensive way to get from the airport into central Amsterdam is by train. In fact, you can easily get to most points in the Netherlands by train from the station at Schiphol. The train from the airport to Centraal Station will take about 15 to 20 minutes and costs €3.80 for a one way ticket.
Taxis are available outside the arrivals area of the terminal; however they are pricey and traffic congestion can make for a long and expensive trip. The cost to get to central Amsterdam will be at least €40.
Aside from walking, trams and buses are the best way to get around the heart of Amsterdam. The subway system (called the Metro) is really only practical if you are travelling outside the central core of the city.
By Train
All trains to into Amsterdam operate from Central Station. The station is a hub for local transportation and you can connect to trams and buses to any part of the city. Some gay hotels are a short walk from the station.
Where To Stay
Gay and Lesbian Options
As one of the world's lesbian and gay capitals, Amsterdam is fortunate to have a number of very good gay hotels. (Sorry, there's nothing exclusively for lesbians.) All of these are gay owned and operated and have a clientele which is primarily or exclusively gay and lesbian. But in keeping with the famously tolerant, open-minded Dutch attitude, some of these are "straight friendly" and welcome all types of guests.
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Amistad - A long time, very popular choice, the Amistad is in the old center of Amsterdam, within walking distance of all the gay bars, clubs and other attractions. (42 Kerkstraat, trams 1, 2 or 5)
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Anco - A friendly, low-key hotel, popular with the leather crowd, close to the Warmoestraat bars. (55 Oudezijds Voorburgwal, a short walk from Centraal Station)
Amsterdam's first exclusively all gay hotel. As the name implies, the hotel is a favourite with the leather and bear crowd. Some rooms have a private bath while others share a toilet and shower on the same floor. Be prepared to climb stairs. (37 Kerkstraat, trams 1, 2 or 5)
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ITC - In a lovely canal house close to gay night life. Most rooms have private shower and toilet. (1051 Prinsengracht, tram 4)
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Triple Five Guesthouse - This two room B&B is very close to nightlife. Rooms have private shower and toilet and overlook the canal. (555 Prinsengracht trams 1, 2 or 5)
Gay Friendly Options
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Amsterdam House - Hotel rooms as well as fully equiped, multi-bedroom apartments and houseboats. Close to bars and clubs. (3-4 's Gravelandseveer, trams 4, 9, 16, 24 or 25)
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Banks Mansion - An elegant hotel overlooking a canal. Close to bars and clubs. (519-525 Herengracht, trams 16, 24 or 25)
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Chic & Basic - An economical, centrally located choice. Formerly the New Amsterdam. (13-19 Herengracht, a short walk from Centraal Station)
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The Dylan - A smaller hotel which combines stylish with traditional design. (384 Keizersgracht, trams 1, 2 or 5)
A very gay-friendly, small hotel with charming hosts. All rooms have private facilities and a full breakfast is included. They have packages for many gay events like Amsterdam Pride. (386 Marnixstraat, trams 1, 2 or 5)
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Hotel Groenendael - A clean, basic budget option near Centraal Station. (15 Nieuwendijk, steps from the train station)
This luxurious 5 star hotel overlooks Dam Square and is good choice if you're looking for reliable (if unexceptional) quality. It's close to the leather scene in Amsterdam as well as most of the city's other attractions. (9 Dam, trams 4, 9, 16, 24 or 25)
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Lloyd Hotel - An interesting alternative, off the beaten track in the Eastern Docklands. (34 Oostelijke Handelskade, tram 26)
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NH Barbizon Palace - This good quality hotel is all about its convenient location, right across from the train station. (59-72 Prins Hendrikkade, steps from Centraal Station)
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NL Hotel- A design hotel with emphasis on stylish decor. Just a bit out of the way. (368 Nassaukade, trams 1, 2, 5, 7 or 10)
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The Orfeo - A moderate choice that is a combination hotel and hostel. (12-14 Leidsekruisstraat, trams 1, 2 or 5)
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Hotel Orlando - Small, nicely furnished 3 star hotel with only five rooms, each with private shower and toilet. (1099 Prinsengracht, tram 4)
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Prinsen Hotel - A 3 star hotel with 45 rooms, all with private bath. Very gay friendly. (36-38 Vondelstraat, trams 1, 2 or 5)
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Quentin England - A nice small hotel a bit further from the centre of the city. (30
Roemer Visscherstraat, trams 1, 2 or 5)
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Quentin Hotel - Another nice small hotel, well located and nicely furnished. (89 Leidsekade, trams 1, 2 or 5)
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Sofitel - An excellent choice for a centrally located, brand name hotel. (67 Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, trams 1, 2, 5, 13 or 17)
Where To Eat
Unlike southern Europeans, the Dutch tend to eat dinner relatively early (similar to most North Americans). It's not uncommon for kitchens to close by 10pm, so don't linger too long over cocktails.
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Arc - Really known more as a bar, have an early dinner and then hang around for post-dinner cocktails. (44 Reguliersdwarsstraat)
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Christophe - One of Amsterdam's best restaurants mixing Dutch ingredients with French style. (46 Leliegracht)
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Garlic Queen - Worth trying just for the name alone, most dishes can be prepared without garlic upon request. (27 Reguliersdwarsstraat )
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Ghetto - A gay casual dining spot in a great location. (51 Warmoesstraat)
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Hemelse Modder - Traditional Dutch-style cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. (11 Oude Waal)
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Cafe Mankind - A gay owned cafe/pub ideal for lunch after a visit to the Rijksmuseum. (60 Weteringstraat)
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The Pancake Bakery - The perfect way to start the morning, especially if you're a bit rough around the edges from the night before. In the Jordaan area. (60 Weteringstraat)
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Rose's Cantina - Traditional Mexican food in the heart of gay Amstedam. (40 Reguliersdwarsstraat)
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Saturnino - Great little Italian restaurant close to nightlife. (5 Reguliersdwarsstraat)
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t Sluisje - Best know for the crazy drag shows during dinner. (1 Torensteeg)
Where To Meet Locals
Men
Don't let "cafe" in the name throw you off. Cafes are pubs. (And to confuse things further, "coffee shops" are marijuana joints.)
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Amstel Fifty Four - One of Amsterdam's oldest gay bars, recently updated. (54 Amstel)
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Cafe April - A large, popular bar that is currently closed for renovations but should open again later this year. (37 Reguliersdwarsstraat)
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Arc - A trendy bar, great for cocktails. (44 Reguliersdwarsstraat)
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Argos - Amsterdam's oldest leather bar and favourite for those into rubber and uniforms. (95 Warmoesstraat)
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Café De Barderij - A canal-side pub that's a great place to have a drink with straight friends. (14 Zeedijk)
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Casa Maria - One of Amsterdam's oldest bars in the heart of the leather district. (60 Warmoesstraat)
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Cockring - Busy, sexy, late night club. Very cruisy later in the evening. (96 Warmoesstraat)
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Cuckoo's Nest - Used to be more leather-oriented, now more mixed. With a very active backroom. (6 Nieuwezijds Kolk)
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Dirty Dicks - An appropriately named leather bar with a cruisy atmosphere. (86 Warmoesstraat)
Spijkerbar - A typical leather oriented bar, friendly staff. (4 Kerkstraat)
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Stereo - A small dance club with with top 40 music. (4 Jonge Roelensteeg)
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Cafe 't Leeuwtje - A newer pub attracting a younger crowd and their admirers. (105 Reguliersdwarsstraat)
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The Web - Another leather friendly bar with a backroom and rooftop terrace. (6 St. Jacobsstraat)
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There are a number of irregular dance parties put on by an array of groups and night clubs. Check out any of the following for current info: Trut, Spellbound, XXXLeather and Rapido.
Women
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Custom Cafe Sugar - A relaxed atmosphere with a mixed crowd but with lots of women. (19 Hazenstraat)
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Saarein 2 - A new incarnation of Amsterdam's oldest lesbian bar. (119 Elandsstraat)
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Bar Vivelavie - Amsterdam's best know and popular lesbian bar. Gets packed with women as the evening progresses. Open late. (7 Amstelstraat)
Where To Get Sex
Gay Men
Prostitution is legal and regulated in Amsterdam. There are a number of escort services in addition to the usual saunas (bathhouses).
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Boysclub 21 - You can just chat up rent boys at the bar or use the private rooms. (21 Spuistraat)
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Music Box - A bar known for its rent boys. Just be on your toes. (9 Paardenstraat)
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Thermos Day Sauna - Extremely popular and clean. Open only until 11pm. (33 Raamstraat)
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Thermos Night Sauna - Picks up where the Day Sauna leaves off. Open until 7:30am. (60 Kerkstraat)
Other Stuff For Your "To Do" List
Homomonument
TheHomomonument, unveiled on the 5th of September 1987, is a memorial to gays and lesbians murdered by the Nazis during the Second World War, a call for vigilance against homophobia, and an inspiration for gays and lesbians the world over.
Anne Frank Huis
A visit to the home of Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl whose diary is a touchstone in Holocaust remembrance, is an appropriate follow up visit after a stop at the Homomonument. The museum is quietly moving regardless of who you are.
Fetish and Toy Shopping
Reknown for its leather scene, Amsterdam has lots of fetish shopping options. Mister B is probably the best of a good lot which also includes Black Body (specializing in rubber),Rob Leathers as well as Robin & Rik Leermakers (30 Runstraat).
Dutch Art
With its collection of Rembrandts, Hals, Vermeers and other Dutch masters, the Rijksmuseum is one of the world's great treasure houses. Throw in the van Gogh Museum, FOAM, the photography museum and lots of other smaller jewels and you've got a complete art holiday.
Red Light District
In the heart of the city, Amsterdam's red light district is home to sex shops, cinemas, straight brothels and some of the city's gay leather bars. It's worth a stroll just so you can tell the folks back home that you saw it. But it's relatively tame compared to some of the leather bars just a block over.
Diamonds
Amsterdam has a long heritage in diamonds and has been a major diamond centre since Sephardic Jews introduced the diamond cutting industry in the late 16th century. Today you can tour some of the dozen diamond factories in the city.
Flower Market
The only floating one of its kind, the Amsterdam flower market (located on the Singel canal between the Koningsplein and the Muntplein) is worth a visit at any time of year..
Bike Touring
This city is so bike friendly that cycling is probably one of the best ways to get to see Amsterdam. Mike's Bike Tours takes you to the familiar sights as well as to postcard picture perfect stops outside the city.
Coffee Shops
Amsterdam's famed tolerance extends well beyond the sexual. Pot, hash and magic mushrooms can legally be purchased and imbibed in "coffee shops". Despite this easygoing attitude, other drugs (including party drugs) are still illegal.
The Hague
The Hague, the capital of the Netherlands and official home to the Dutch royal family, is a short train ride from Amsterdam. Spend a day exploring the city's palaces, galleries and museums.
