Cruisers, we’re heading to Amsterdam. It’s like the alternative surprise in Europe. The city is quaint, beautiful, slightly picture-perfect—then, suddenly, not at all. You can pick your pleasure: a glorious brunch, or a gloryhole; lake, or a lakeside hookup. Here, we’ve curated the best spots for Cruisers looking to spend a few days getting the most out of Amsterdam.
Where to Stay
Amsterdam isn’t very spread out, so you should get a bike to get around. It’ll feel a little chaotic at first, but that’s part of the experience. Anywhere within the five inner canals is considered central. In the very center of the city—The stretch from Central Station down to the bottom of Kalverstraat—things are touristy and a bit dead behind the eyes.
You’ll want to stay closer to Old West (Jordaan, Hugo de Grootplein), which feels more authentic yet easy to access. Otherwise, you might check out the area south of the center, towards De Pijp, which is busier, louder, and more fun—especially on the apps. The idea is to stay in the action without getting stuck between groups of tourists cycling from one coffee shop to the next.
Where to Workout
There are several solid options. TrainMore is a local chain with locations all over town, and it’s often surprisingly easy to talk your way in for free. The Singel location is busy, and pretty social. Showing some skin will help.
Double Shift has just one location, but it’s cleaner, calmer, better-looking, and has a good sauna. If you’re a member, Soho House is a spot where you’ll reliably spot some Cruisers.
Gyms here are smaller, but they do the job. Day passes are easy, and smaller spots tend to be relaxed about it. With the right hookup, gym access while travelling can suddenly become free. Cruisers tend to figure that out quickly.
Where to Cruise
Vondelpark is the classic cruising spot, but Nieuwe Meer is where it gets more interesting. It’s a legal cruising area with open fields, wooded paths, and small spots by the water. It feels strangely calm for what’s going on. Who can say they’ve had sex next to a couple of wild buffalos? That’s possible here. Loads of fun and possibilities, all in nature.
If the weather turns, move indoors. Sauna Nieuwezijds and Cuckoo’s Nest are popular, and exactly what you expect (in the best way).
If all else fails, Spijkers is a very reliable fallback. It’s one of the oldest gay bars in the city, with a small cruising space upstairs. It’s compact, efficient, always open, and the bartender is usually naked in a leather apron.
Where to Go Out
Start with drinks at Barrio or Pamela, where you’ll find an easy, mixed crowd, and an open vibe. Next, you might want to drift to Reguliersdwarsstraat or Warmoesstraat to check out the vibe—but they’re the classic gay strips.
Cruisers might be more interested in spending their evenings (and their early morning hours) at clubs like Tilla tec, Radion, Club Raum, or Club Church. These spots are more dance-focused clubs that are less mainstream.
Club Church really leans into it: A fully articulated church theme, rotating nights, and a dedicated cruising area. If you find yourself in town on a Sunday, stop by Vereniging De Trut, volunteer-run, cheap, mixed, with a friendly, chaotic energy.