AMSTERDAM
Word: Konstantinos Tsormp
I didn’t have to think it through. When Amsterdam for New Year was suggested a huge, a smile grew on my face. This was the second time I’d visited and I love this city. The capital of The Netherlands, which is built on water, has 165 canals within the city that create a very romantic and lively atmosphere. Every neighbourhood has its own character and the thousands of bicycles do not only provide the solution when locals try to commute but also offer a unique picture of relaxing and friendly environment to its many visitors.
Amsterdam was well known for its liberal attitude towards drugs and paid sex but don’t misjudge it, these are not its only attributes. Nowadays its friendliness and relaxed atmosphere will win the visitor over from the very first walks around its small canals. It offers many small welcoming shops, museums, art galleries and guesthouses that attracts many Europeans for long weekends and creates the right environment to enjoy and relax within its liberal society. The city’s liberal attitude transcends from its political history to its gay life-style attracting for this reason many tourists that visit its gay shops, bars, clubs and saunas.
GETTING THERE
The Royal Dutch Airline – KLM flies daily from Chep Lak Kok Airpot, Hong Kong to Schipol Airport, Amsterdam. Economy return flight prices start from HK$5,330 (excluding taxes and surcharges). From the airport there is a fast and efficient train service to Amsterdam Central Station – you can find the departure platforms underneath Schipol Plaza accessed by escalators and elevators.
SLEEP
Apart from the usual hotel chains all over town, try to stay in the centre – this makes both commuting to gay places and shopping much easier.
HOTEL THE GOLDEN BEAR
Kerkstraat 37, Amsterdam 1017 GB
Price: €49-€97++
Buzz: The first gay hotel of Amsterdam founded shortly after WWII. Located in two historic buildings dating from 1737. Personable service from the staff and the rooms are clean and cosy and at very good prices.
HOTEL AMISTAD + AMISTAD APARTMENTS
Kerkstraat 42, Amsterdam 1017 GM
Price: Rooms start from €60-179 per night , Apartments from €120
Buzz: Situated in a great and fairly gay location and not far from the Reguliersdwars district. The hotel is run buy a team of friendly gay guys. Computers with high speed internet access are provided in every room along with the usual mod-cons and more importantly you can recover from your late nights with a breakfast no problem as the inclusive breakfast is served until 1pm! – How thoughtful! The Amistad apartments offer a great alternative to the hotel and give you even more freedom and privacy if wanted.
SEVEN ONE SEVEN
Prinsengracht 717, 1017 JW Amsterdam
Price: From €300 per night (includes breakfast, afternoon tea, drinks from the minibar and a selection of house wines).
Buzz: Contemporary amenities in a 19th century building situated on the Prinsengracht canal each of the 8 rooms/suites are of unique design and decoration that sets it apart from the usual hotel offerings. You can choose to have breakfast served in your room, downstairs in the Strawinsky Room or, weather permitting on the Patio. Each room/suite is themed to honour various European artists and writers with antique furniture and the television and sound system are top of the range Bang and Olufsen. Service is efficient with great attention to detail.
EAT
TEMPO DOELOE
Utrechtsestraat 75, 1017 VJ Amsterdam
Price: Main courses €14-€25, Fixed price menu €27-€43, rijsttafel (rice table – which offers 15+ little dishes to taste) €27-€35
Buzz: As an ex-colonial power the city offers a rich variety of multi-cultural and ethnic cooking. This Indonesian restaurant is known for great very good quality of gastronomic delights. A choice of mild to extra spicy dishes are listed with various set menu options and even better the rijsttafel (rice table) that offer 15+ small dishes that allows you a taste of many flavours from the menu. Classy ethnic décor that doesn’t overpower the dining experience.
L’EXPRESS
Ulterchtsestraat 29, 1017 VJ Amsterdam
Price: Appetisers €6.25-€9.25, Mains €15.75-€19.75, Desserts €3.25-€6.25
Buzz: Traditional French selection of dishes (my suggestion to start with snails and carry on with either a steak or lamb) in a warm woody atmosphere and a very good selection of French wines.
SEE
The city’s golden age was during the 17th century when it was considered the trading centre of the world. This can be recognised while walking around the city the visitor observes its architecture with buildings dated back in the early 17th century. As a colonial power the city’s structure is planned to support trade and the most interesting buildings are around the canals where boats used to unload their supplies. That makes a boat tour around the canals strongly recommended where the visitor can see most of the historic buildings, understand the city’s design and identify where to go and what to see. Start from outside the city’s main station at Havenfront, where the major boat trips begin. With one ticket you can use all three routes to see the town. It will be good if you pop in and out to visit historic sites and museums including the most famous of them all, the Van Gogh Museum (www.vangoghmuseum.nl).
Pink Point
Gay and lesbian information and souvenir kiosk situated at the Homomonument, Westermarkt (on the Keizersgracht). Friendly and helpful volunteers will answer all your questions about gay Amsterdam. As well the best selection of gay gifts in Holland. Open daily 12.00 till 6 PM.
NIGHTLIFE
Don’t expect London’s clubbing scene or New York’s cosmopolitan’s style. The city doesn’t stay up all night but you will be surprised with the friendly atmosphere which attracts many northern Europeans and Italians. There are lots of bars to meet up with friends for the first drink before you head on to the gay area. Styles vary from the unique leather “Rob of Amsterdam” image where boys experiment with toys to the monthly clubbing events that attract the elite of European gay-land.
During the New Year’s celebrations two of the city’s main parties took place. First it was Rapido one of the most recognisable names in the European clubbing scene. The music progresses from commercial house to tribal and the club hosts big European DJing names including among others Francesco Pagano from London. The promoters most of time tend to use an old church to accommodate this monthly event.
The biggest surprise and the best possible way to enjoy the New Year was SuperMX’s night on the 2nd January. The well known Spanish party which travels the world used a modern venue very close to the area where the Van Gogh museum is located to give us one of the most impressive parties I have ever experienced! DJ Juanjo Martin played his very unique Latino progressive house sound including his hits, “Millenium” feat. Rebeka Brown and “Super Way.” Somehow all the many different elements of the night came together to let us experience the way a party should be with smashing energy and an amazing crowd. Look out for either parties and organise your trip around those dates.
STEAM & CRUISE
Thermos Sauna
Raamstraat 33
Huge Sauna on 5 floors with bar, restaurant, roof terrace, sun beds, beauty salon, hair dresser. Cabins, sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi and pool. 400+ guests on busy days! Very clean and friendly.
Entrance: 19 € (14 € if you’re under 25)
Open: 12:00 – 08:00 Every day.
Tel: +31 (0)20-6239158 / +31 (0)20-6239158
Amsterdam Metronet and Subway
A popular crusing area especially when taking the last trains…
