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In the new issue of Gay News, 2010

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Nightlife & Reports (86)

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Extended opening hours for bars in city centre possible

Cafés and bars in the centre of Amsterdam can extend their opening hours if an agreement is possible with the people who live in the vicinity. The probable coalition of GroenLinks (Greens), D66 (Liberal Democrats) and PvdA (Social Democrats) in the centre aims to give the businesses as well as the residents in the area more responsibilities when it comes to deciding on opening hours of bars and cafés, says Jeanine van Pinxteren, (GroenLinks) who will most likely become the inner-city mayor. “Instead of deciding for the people, we think that businesses an people living in the immediate vicinity can work out what’s possible.”

Mr Leather Europe - Writing History

Rome is basking in the sun when I arrive at Central Station on Wednesday the 30th of September; I’m sweating profusely when I run into Mr. Leather Norway. We find out we’re staying at the same hotel, the only problem is that neither of us knows where it’s located. He’s brought a map, but our hotel is not on it so I produce my phone with Google Maps, and half an hour walk later we’re at our destination. The rest of the day I spent walking through the city.

The Resurrection Of The DOK

Many complain about how little is happening in the Amsterdam gay scene over the last years. Well, the creativity and initiative which are needed to make a change in this situation seem to have been lacking in what was once the Gay Capital of Europe. Fortunately there are a few people doing their utmost to create new possibilities. Like club night producers Abiad & Malenka, who want to re-invent the DOK.

Canal Parade 2009

Canal Pride 2009 was a great success with no less than 560.000 spectators. It’s these spectators that make Pride into what it is. Who are these people that flock from all corners of the country, and indeed the world, to watch the parade of boats? Who are all these people lining the canals for kilometers on end? Is it some kind of zoo type event, freak watch? Is the Canal Parade just plain and simple entertainment? Are they aware of the background and origin of Gay Pride? I want answers so I armed myself with paper and pen and started asking around.

Lots of Praise for New Church

The paint was hardly dry when the brand new “cruise club” Church threw open its doors just in time for Gay Pride at the beginning of August. After years of seeing one club close after another (think iT, Roxy, Mazzo) finally Amsterdam could boast a new venue, and what’s more, on the Kerkstraat, the original gay street of Amsterdam. Behind the new club is the GALA foundation, more than fifteen years active in promoting gay Amsterdam and well known for, amongst others, its non-profit parties on the Homomonument.

Lots of plans for Gay Pride 2008

A bit later than we’re used to.... but here they are, the first plans for Gay Pride 2008. But we’re confused already. A few years ago GBA was the only organizer, now there are several. Pro Gay, Hugo Braakhuis’ organization that took over from GBA, is now chaired by Frank van Dalen. He states in a press release that he’s going to stage the Canal Parade and claims to go for “content and broadening of the scope of the event. The Parade itself will be organized by bureau O=4.

Stereo (B)eat - Payable, Delicious and Special

Stereo (B)eat is situated along the 1.7 kilometer long and rather barren road connecting the city centre with the inner Western suburb. Personally I don’t like the Overtoom, because it takes an eternity to drive from A to B and if you’re on a bike it’s a miracle if you survive.

You hardly notice Stereo (B)eat from the outside but when you enter you immediately realize that this is not your standard eating-place. The little worker’s house from 1729 only has a mere 50 m2 and has the atmosphere of an intimate restaurant.

Report from La Demence

If you ask the average party tiger in our quaint little city where they usually go out, they will often say they go to a club or party in Cologne, Paris, Antwerp or…Brussels. These party poopers claim Amsterdam is very yesterday’s news. It’s nice enough to live and work in but for a good party one needs to cross the border. I received a lot of pitying looks when I recently admitted that I had never been to La Demence. My good friend Donny decided then and there that I had to promise him to join them next time. As if my soul and social status depended on it.

5 Minutes

After one night you’ve met a lot of people, who all had their own reasons for going out. Who are they, what’s behind the ‘nightlife attitude’? In this column we try to lift a tip of the veil. Maybe you’ll be the next one to be asked to tell us a little bit about yourself.

We get acquainted with a random visitor of the gay scene in just ‘5 minutes’. See how many questions we can cram into that short a time!

Our first victim is Brent de Lannee de Bretancourt from Oss (40)

Sao Paulo hosts world's largest gay pride parade

Millions of people packed the streets of Sao Paulo for what organizers said was the world's largest gay pride parade, dancing and waving rainbow flags in a carnival-like atmosphere to condemn homophobia, racism and sexism. At least 3 million people filled the canyonlike Paulista Avenue on Sunday, organizers said, surpassing last year's count of 2.5 million. The larger count was confirmed by a police spokesman who is not authorized to be quoted by name under department rules. "This is the biggest parade on the planet," Tourism Minister Marta Suplicy said. "Our city is showing, once again, its respect for diversity."

Aids Memorial Day - Memories Of Daniel

Next month it’s AIDS Memorial Day, the day we think of all the people who died of AIDS. An annual moment of reflection, a moment of hope. Hope indeed, because we have achieved a lot since we first discovered HIV, the virus which causes AIDS. There’s an extra reason this year to remember all those we have lost. Because it’s been twenty-five years that the disease has been in our country. I would like to share one of my memories with you. The memory of a friend of mine I lost to AIDS.

Going Out - Bar ‘De Engel van Amsterdam’ Is Ready To Receive!

After several years of decline and closure of well-known premises, Amsterdam seems to get back on its feet. We recently saw the opening of Prik at the Spuistraat and since the 7th of April we’ve gained another place at the infamous Zeedijk: De Engel van Amsterdam (Amsterdam’s Angel). At the day of the opening things looked really good and everything went well (it was a gorgeous day which helped). One of the bar’s main attractions is the terrace.

Going Out - Queer or not, Prik is Hot!

Prik is a new bar on 109 Spuistraat Amsterdam. After all the stories I’d heard about the “living room atmosphere” and the cute boys on either side of the bar, I thought it was time to check it out. So your curious reporter set out for a visit, accompanied by the necessary prejudices of course. As I entered I was immediately enthusiastically greeted by the barkeeper, which made me feel welcome instantly. The interior is warm and cozy, indeed like a large living room.

Pink Point - Slow

To The Point - True stories from Pink Point, the gay and lesbian info kiosk at the Homomonument. See www.pinkpoint.org

December’s not the busiest month of the year for Pink Point. Many tourists prefer to chase the sun instead of visiting our chilly little country and that’s noticeable in the kiosk. The days are getting shorter and the wind is blowing around us so violently it’s sometimes as if we’re about to be launched into the sky. Fortunately we make it cozy by hanging out our lights early and inside we always make time for a chat and the exchange of the latest gossip.

Miss Lellebel Contest

Drag bar Lellebel opened its doors for the first time in the winter of 1997 and has grown out to one of Amsterdam’s most special bars. The highlight of 2000 was winning the Canal Parade award. The Lellebel (a genial Dutch word for “slut”) offers live shows, theme evenings and performances seven days a week all through the year. Drag and transsexuality is Lellebel’s face, for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and straights. Lellebel in short, is for everybody!

Getto: Ten Years Of Food, Fun & Pleasure

To my astonishment somebody told me that restaurant Getto in the Warmoesstraat has been there for ten years already. Oh my God, ten years, time sure flies! This is of course a fact to celebrate. And there’s a lot to celebrate indeed. The boys and girls from the Getto succeed in offering more than just a meal and a drink. Over and over they find ways to entertain and pamper their customers: great music, performances and, of course, good food for a good price.

Gay & City - What's in a Blow Job?

The truth is, I was horny that weekend. I undressed every good-looking passerby on the street with my well-equipped mind’s eye. As the song goes, I was looking for fast love and I needed it fast. On Saturday morning I stopped by at Nick’s for a cup of coffee. While sipping my frothy cappuccino, I was gazing through the window, still keeping an eye on the eligible traffic. “There are many American tourists in town,” said Nick. “Well...” I scanned the street once more, “let’s go and GET some.”

Queer Life - Gay and the City - Those are the dreams ...

We planned a glamorous one-night trip to London. John, Jo and myself. The occasion (as if we needed one!) was the official premiere of Miss Nickie Nicole’s single “Magic and Miracles” at Salvation London. The plan came into being as soon as BasiqAir’s Monday-night special offer crashed into my inbox. We were going to fly from Rotterdam at 20.00, go straight to Salvation and all possible parties and after-hours following it, then catch the plane back to Amsterdam at 14.00 the next day. No hotel, no luggage, no nonsense! To further glamorize the trip, we’d ordered a limo to bring us from the airport to the club (the actual reason being that the price of the limo equaled the price of our train tickets from Stanstead to the City).

Cycling in New York (2)

It’s getting easier to get around by bike in New York. Amsterdammer Gert Hekma wanted to explore Manhattan by bike and so he did. In this episode he continues his exploration of the Big Apple, and he actually doesn’t limit himself to Manhattan, but also includes other boroughs in his wanderings.

It’s a nice trip to not limit yourself to just the western side of Manhattan but to go full circle around the island. The advantage of the eastern side is that it’s deserted: no joggers or speed cyclists.

The Joys and Drawbacks of Sex Outdoors

With an extra supervisor, pruning, stinging nettles and the construction of a mountain bike track “Het Twiske” tries to put an end to the outdoor sex taking place there. Visitors are more and more often confronted with mostly men having it off in the bushes, says a spokesperson of the recreational area. Police and justice in Rotterdam are looking for victims of robbery and extortion in and around the Zuiderpark. Changing groups of around ten to twenty youngsters of around 11 to 18 years of age have been terrorizing mainly gay men for the past half year.

Renovated Cockring Even More Exciting

Who doesn’t know the Cockring club in Amsterdam? Positioned in the famous Warmoesstraat, in the center of the hot neighborhood and with the Amsterdam leather scene as its neighbors. But the Cockring has always had its own style in this old neighborhood, where sex and fun have ruled for hundreds of years already. The visitors of the Cockring consist of a mix of trendy clubbers and leather men.

Cycling in New York (1)

New York. It’s a city of extremes, with liberal and ultra-orthodox Jews, yuppies and sweet old ladies, cyclists and chauffeurs, boring gays, cool gays and a local government that doesn’t want to have anything to do with sex or gay sex. The city is fairly liberal in an ocean of conservatism. In many aspects it really resembles Amsterdam although there are some significant differences as well. New York’s size is just so much bigger, when it comes to people, gays, art, shops or restaurants. Sodom at the Amstel could never compete with its offspring, the Big Apple at the Hudson. But Amsterdam has certain things that New York definitely has not. Like a decent Red Light District, or the comfort of being able to have sex in a bar or in a park, or a local and national government that are much more tolerant towards sex. All those officials often get cold feet when they think of the liberal image of Amsterdam that a lot of Americans and New Yorkers long for.

A ‘Larger, Thicker & Uncut’ New Edition of The Bent Guide To Amsterdam

With hundreds of guide books to destinations all across the world there’s not much ground that renowned travel series Lonely Planet hasn’t covered. Yet, in their latest guide to Amsterdam they didn’t bother outlining the diversity of our local gay scene, they simply advised their gay and lesbian readers of a short cut: “Pick up the excellent Bent Guide”. But using the combined knowledge of the volunteers at Pink Point - the Gay & Lesbian information kiosk at the Homomonument - and written by Darren Reynoldson, The Bent Guide to Gay & Lesbian Amsterdam isn’t like other gay guides. Rather than rattling off a bunch of indecipherable acronyms beside a droll list of venues, it has detailed descriptive stories on “everything that’s not straight in Amsterdam.”

NY Pride - Parades and Police in New York

New York has got more than one gay parade per year nowadays. It starts in the first weekends of June with the parades in the suburbs Staten Island, Queens and Brooklyn. Then there was the first transgender parade on Friday this year, Saturday saw the “Dyke Parade” and then there’s the big New York Gay Parade on Sunday. The first three are rather smallish affairs of a couple of hundred people each. But their future looks bright as more and more gays and lesbians flee the Village and Chelsea to cheaper areas such as Astoria, Williamsburg and Brooklyn.

Wining and Dining - 1e Klas CS: time stands still (for a bit)

Many visits to our global village start or finish at Central Station. P.J.H. Cuijpers, together with A.L. van Gendt, designed this neo-gothic and neo-renaissance building and its foundation consists of 8687 wooden poles. Though the city council at the time had preferred a central station at the Leidseplein, the terminal at the IJ opened its doors with enormous public attention on the 15th of October 1889.

The Grand Café Restaurant 1e Klas (First Class) is located next to the Royal waiting lounge on platform 2B. Who hasn’t had a meeting here? Going out for dinner - I’ve said it in my columns before - also means to remember: with whom, where, when and what. In these surroundings I’m thinking mainly of who and when.

We’re going to Zandvoort and the sea

Zandvoort has always been Amsterdam’s large swimming pool. Pale city boys go there every now and then to get some healthy breaths of sea-air. In the old days there was a special tram, nowadays we just take the train or if there’s no other way, the car. But the reputation of Zandvoort is waning lately. You really can’t take the car anymore because that’s apparently what everyone else is already doing. And then the direct train connection disappeared. Now you had to change trains in Haarlem, so everyone had to lug their beach gear from one platform to another. Fortunately N.S. (Dutch Railways) is going to reinstall the direct connection this summer.

Amsterdam Pride

After quite a lot of rumours, queer nonsense and the always necessary lawsuits here in Amsterdam, finally the 10th edition of AMsterdam Gay Pride will take place from August 4 till August 7.

Our site houses tons of information on this, since we're online for over 10 years; here you'll find the quicklinks:

Wining & Dining - CaféCox: Ambitious Craftsmanship

There’s one square in Amsterdam that could be seen as the ultimate cultural heart of Holland with all its cinemas and various theatres - the Leidseplein. And that for as long as one can remember. Like several squares in Amsterdam it originally was a so-called carriage square - the parking spots of the seventeenth century. These were always situated right behind a city gate, so that farmers and other traders could park their carriages. This is where they unloaded their merchandise and looked for care for their horses and a snack for themselves. In 1862 the Leidse gate was demolished and the square started the metamorphosis to its current character.

Wining & Dining - Puyck: East, West, South Best

This time I had my taste sensors aimed at Contra 73, Camperstraat 24-26 in Amsterdam-East. Since all the staff there is exclusively gay it looked like a promising night. As I studied the menu in advance though, I decided to change my plans. Dutch shrimps with cocktail sauce (E 9.50), Tournedos “Stroganoff sauce” (E 19.50), frog legs Provinciale (E 9.50) and a pork fillet with vegetable spaghetti and Gorgonzola sauce (E 19.50) made me think of times too long gone. I decided to invite my friend elsewhere.

Wining and Dining - Djago: spicy but not hot enough

Tout Gay Holland will be aware of the fact that the oldest Dutch gay magazine is celebrating its 25th anniversary with “an international lifestyle event,” the Rainbow Experience. This joyful fact takes place in the Europahal of the Amsterdam RAI and contains a Rainbow Fair, the Rainbow Conferences and the Rainbow Events. As there are regular interesting events at the RAI complex, we decide to leave the city center and arrive within fifteen minutes at the Scheldestraat. Following a sexy Spaniard’s recommendation I booked a table at the Indonesian restaurant Djago. It’s been a hotspot for over twenty years in this area.

Wining & Dining - Knus: Good, Better, Bad

A rather voluminous girlfriend of mine used to utter the historic words “eating is a disease as well” at least three times a week in front of her bulging fridge, meaning: an addiction. But, like the doctor who injects little amounts of serum to build immunity in the body, I indulge in scrumptious meals in restaurants every now and then to be able to diet afterwards with renewed strength. It had to come to this: The Reguliersdwarsstraat. Gay street no. 1 at some point.

Wining & Dining - Tokyo Café: plenty of choice

Dam Square is often jokingly called the heart of Holland. Hereby I declare the Spui the navel of Amsterdam. Also such a vital part of our human body. Did you know that at the Begijnhof with the entrance at the Spui stands the oldest house of Holland: Het Houten Huys (the wooden house) from 1425. According to official documents there were already “begijnen” living in “een beghijnhuys” in 1346. In 1389 a so-called “letter of appropriation” mentions for the first time a courtyard.

Wining & Dining - Lieve: Belgian hospitality

Who can ever forget his first visit abroad? In my case it was to Belgium a long, long time ago. The lovely Ardennes were, it's true, no mountains, but they were at least higher than the dunes on our coast. In Antwerp and Ghent I was later able to enjoy a pleasant kind of chaos along with the sensual Flemish dialect. And then, of course, there is Belgian cuisine. A perfect combination of naturalness and refinement with a touch of the exuberant. High time therefore to pay another visit to Lieve.

Wining & Dining - Toscanini: a little bit in love

Greece is the cradle of European civilisation. So we will review a Greek restaurant for sure one time. The French cook in a fantastically classical way, without any inhibitions. When you visit someone in France, it most cases it means, including a banquet. While in our polder land the remark “Dinner’s ready” actually means: “Will all visitors please leave now?” This time I choose for my favourite kitchen: Authentic Italian.

Manfred Langer and the Rise and Fall of the iT - 13 May 1952 - 21 November 1994

Almost unceasingly you'll hear the comment, that there isn’t much to do nowadays; and especially that it used to be so much better and much more fun in the past. With in the past, one indicates the period of ten to fifteen years ago, when Amsterdam was still a vibrant city, where everything was possible and allowed. While we’re talking about fifteen years ago, the name Manfred Langer can’t be ignored. He was a hot item for the newspapers and the television, because of his lifestyle, but especially for making Amsterdam famous. It seemed like everything he touched turned into a success.

Elf: Flair and Quality

As far as I know museum restaurants are hardly ever seriously reviewed. You’re coming for the art! But when this is disappointing, you still had a nice and/or tasty lunch. In the Stedelijk Museum at the Paulus Potterstraat the exhibitions and the culinary offers at Karel Appel’s lunchroom were both very disappointing over the last years.

Five Years Sauna Boomerang

Sauna Boomerang celebrates its five-year anniversary this month, which made for a good reason to go and check it out again. I had been told that it had recently undergone renovations, which was true. The swing chairs have been replaced by larger and more comfortable couches, and the video room has been improved with the addition of a more spacious mattress. The showers and jacuzzi area have been revamped, as has the ventilation system. And, not unimportantly, the cabins have been enlarged.

Christopher Street Day Berlin

Twenty years ago already, I made my first trip to Berlin. In those days I was hitchhiking, and sometimes it took two days. It was a world journey to get myself over the iron curtain into the separated city of the famous wall. But hey, there was no free public transport card for students in those days, and being a student I had to travel low budget. In Berlin it was always one big party which went on for twenty-four hours a day. As a young student from The Hague I considered (gay) Berlin to be Mecca.

Empire of Catering Tycoon Kooistra Under Fire

From the fifteen establishments, catering-tycoon Sjoerd Kooistra owns in Amsterdam, there are ten under threat of closing because of a possible rescission of their exploitation-licenses. This appears from the facts of the department for licenses considering the hotel and catering industry of town district Centre. At the end of June Mayor Job Cohen declared war against the so called ‘Kooistra-Method’: from now on applications for exploitation-licenses will be turned down because of the many bankruptcies within the Kooistra-conglomeration.

Het Ponthuys: spacious, generous and relaxed

There are three subjects everybody seems to have an opinion about: the weather, football and food. During the last months I had to experience this for myself. Sometimes this already happened before ten o'clock on the tram, a couple of days ago at the cash point in the supermarket; and of course also in the bar. "Maybe you should write more about the food and less about the attendance...” “You were right; we’ve had the same experience...” “Can’t you write about cheaper restaurants?...”

De Portugees - the Zeedijk: three versus two

Only a few more weeks, respectively a couple of days, depending on when you’re reading this, and "Our Boys" will be playing their first football match in Portugal. This is a good reason to try out De Portugees at the Zeedijk this month. The Zeedijk is one of the oldest streets in Amsterdam. It’s full of life: cosy living, nice shopping and a variation of options for your night-out. At the Zeedijk a culinary journey around the world is one of the possibilities.

Vertigo: a Surprising Sensation

Slowly but for sure spring is coming. The dead wood grows and turns into green. That’s why we decided to aim for the Vondelpark (the green lung of Amsterdam) this month. In 1864 a commission planned a park to ride and walk through near Leidseplein. The architect Cuypers (known for Central Station and the Rijksmuseum) was lobbying for a statue of the Dutch seventeenth century poet Joost van den Vondel in that area in those days. So from 1880 on the park is officially named "Vondelpark".

Barcelona Meets Amsterdam at ArtLaunch

Friday May 21, ArtLaunch presents the second edition of the Queer Capital Specials at De Melkweg, Lijnbaansgracht 234A in Amsterdam. After the successful fusion between Berlin and Amsterdamt on March 19, it is now Barcelona’s turn. The city where every year the prominent Sonar Festival of Electronic Music is staged and where ArtLaunch has found several promising acts.

Wining and Dining - Walem: Threefold Nice

In the beginning of the eighties one of the first Grand Cafes in Amsterdam opened it doors. It was named "Het Land van Walem", and situated opposite of the former residence and workshop of Dutch gay fashion designer Frank Govers. When "the small doll" used to have his breaks there, everybody could enjoy his vicious thoughts. Situated next to Morlang - which also still exists - the difference between the two places was like Scheveningen (Morlang) and Zandvoort (Walem).

Restaurant ‘De Belhamel’ Up-and-Top Tip Top

Gays and food seem to be a "Contradictio in Terminis". How will you contain a divine body, while you would like to eat food for the gods every day? All right, there are gyms. All right, gays and being active, often go hand in hand. But still...
Can we say, “There is a thin line between love and hate” when were talking about gays and restaurants? Are gay chefs better cooks than straight ones?

Bar Gaiety Closed! The End of an Era

A couple of days ago, the news reached us: Cor the owner of the worldwide known bar ‘Gaiety’ had sold the place. Together we looked back at more then 17 years of Gaiety.

The address Amstel 14 was already well known years before Gaiety opened its doors. Between 1963 until 1983 it was known as ‘Moors Eldorado’ in those days the bar had no windows, outside you would only see the name in neon lights. Inside the bar was decorated with pink imitation leather, loads of electric chandeliers with fake crystal, in Dutch we used to call these bars “bonbon-boxes” You don’t see places like that anymore.

Nightwatch issues new 'Night Policy'

Warning for gay venues

The Nightwatch, the unofficial 'Night Mayors" of Amsterdam, have issued their long awaited recommendations on the ailing Amsterdam nightlife. In a recent ceremony at the Felix Meritis building they presented Mayor Job Cohen with the first copy of their booklet, symbolically at midnight.

Mark Schröder about April, Soho and Exit

'Deep in my heart I’ll always rather stand behind the bar than work in the office'. In the early seventies the Reguliersdwarsstraat wasn’t more than a dark backstreet. With only one bar, a gay one: the MacDonalds. Late at night, the only people out on the street here were visitors of the MacDonalds, in those days one of the best running late night bars in the gay scene.

From Moscow with Love

Thursday June 13, the day we arrived in Moscow, happened to be the celebration of the twelft anniversary of the new Russian federation. Thousands of tourists and natives were roaming the twelve traffic lanes of the enormous wide Twersky Boulevard to join the massive festivities on the Red Square. The elite gay clubs and saunas, open almost all day and night, can only be afforded by tourists and well-to-do Moscovians. The cheaper clubs are crowded by a mix of straights and gays, all garbed in unisex gear. Cruising spots are peopled by young guys in search of (paid) sex. For a town of ten million, two gay discos, five gay bars and four gay saunas can hardly be called a luxury.

Wining and Dining

Bar restaurant 5

Amsterdam has a new star in town. It is not Brad Pitt or Jennifer Annisten as you may be thinking. No, it is the new bar restaurant 5. This restaurant will change the way Amsterdam looks at dining and European cuisine forever. Finally an eating and drinking establishment that caters to the client’s every desire. The restaurant, if you could not already guess from the name, has a 5 theme. They offer five of everything; five appetizers, five entrees, five desserts etc.

Gay Carnaval in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil

Brazil has three major annual carnivals. In Rio de Janeiro, in Salvador de Bahia and in Recife. Not Rio, but Salvador de Bahia is the biggest in the world. The Rio carnival is for tourists, the Salvador one for the Brazilians, who flock to the city in droves of some three millions.
It has the best music and is a kind of circuit carnival, meandering over the big squares and avenues to three places in the city. Rio has the costumes, Recife has the enormously high puppets and the carnival here happens only in one spot.

The Barderij is baby-booming

For the last 25 years babyboomers have shown to be capable of adapting to each and every passing trend, “Disco,” “Leather,” “House,” “Party Drugs,” "Gym,” “The net.” But no matter how cool, also babyboomers love to take a stroll now and then down memory lane. Since a year and a half they can do so at the Amsterdam Zeedijk nr. 14, where café the Barderij has opened its doors for those proudly over fifty, who’re as passionate about the past as about the future. Owners Paul Carels (51) and Gerard Smitskam (55) are both originally from The Hague. Gerard moved to Florida some thirty years ago, where he started his own catering business and Paul began his catering career with Guus & Gerard of the Boko and then worked at Lola’s Place, both in The Hague, and later in Amsterdam at the Monopole, the Amstel Taveerne and with Manfred Langer in Chez Manfred and the IT.

Red & Blue... the near impossible made possible

Since five years hundreds of young gays each and every week are traveling from all over Holland to Antwerp to throw themselves into the disco mania called Red&Blue. Together with the Brussels’ La Demence, both discos have fixed Belgium for ever on the European gay map. The brains behind the Antwerp success formula is the 49 year old Ludo Smits.

Multicultural The Hague

Every Thursday night the Melting Pot in the COC in The Hague is simply the gayest party in town. Russian, American, Jewish, Moroccan, Kurdish, Turkish, Surinam, Brazilian, Caribbean, English, German, or plain and simply Dutch, you name it. A gay and lively melting pot of cultures in a relaxed atmosphere, all dancing to a driving salsa or Arabian beat.

't Bölke a fun Venue

Party time in Enschede, a regular weekend night captured by our photographer Julian Zidan.

Madness in Brussels’ ”La Demence”

While visiting the Belgian capital, getting ready for Gay Pride, I decided to take the opportunity to interview Thierry Coppens, the owner of the biggest and most successful gay disco “La Demence” in Brussels. It’s April 30, the night of the huge “Man Killers Party” and it also happened to be Thierry’s Birthday.

Cock & Feathers

These last months a mysterious ad popped up in this magazine. An ad to warm things up. Saying Cock & Feathers. No more. So it was a matter of wait and see what that was all about...

Reguliersdwarsstraat effervescent as ever

Amsterdam gay street numero 1, the Reguliersdwarsstraat (I know, honey, unpronouncable; keep up the practice though) is heading in a new direction

De Huyschkaemer: where more is better

In one of Amsterdam nicest streets, the Utrechtsestraat, you find the Huyschkaemer (old Dutch for living room), a pub serving meals. The Utrechtsestraat is lined with great stores and catering establishments

15 years Gaiety

Last month Gaiety, the cozy bar at the Amstel, celebrated its 15th birthday. Redhead-for-the-occasion Sally Bowles, in bright flowery prints, added lustre to the evening's proceedings and comedian André van Duin, one of the family, took care of the laughs

Amsterdam's Best Kept Dining Secret

Its a familiar dilemma to gay men across the globe, you want to go out to eat at a place that has style, presentation, atmosphere, excellent food and a bit of a gay sensibility but you just can't seem to find the right culinary hotspots.

More news about London

Two days ago, I started my story about London's nightlife (see the article:"London the place to be?")

Today, the rest of my story....

London the place to be?

I always heard big stories about the gay nightlife in London. My english friends invited me to come over for a long weekend. So I went on the net and booked myself a cheap ticket. I had four nights, but that was not enough to see it all. London is big, you need a lot of time and a lot of money.

A belgium mariage

After Holland it's now also possible to tie the knot in Belgium. The Belgian government has approved a bill to fully legalise same-sex weddings. Maybe Europe is heading to set an example for the whole world.

Could your favorite lube prevent AIDS?

Biologists in Texas say it's a possibility if you use the popular sexual lubricant Astroglide, which appears to kill HIV in the laboratory. But experts caution that no one should rely on lubricants to do anything other than slick you up, at least until research is done on humans.

VJ Miss Bambi to Love Parade in Berlin

We all know Miss Bambi as the one who put a wig between Cobi and Stefan in “who wants to marrie a millionaire”. But that this party bitch drag from Belgium can do so much more then be the devil in your marriage is less known. TMF, the music program network from Belgium and Holland has contracted Miss Bambi for the annual Love Parade in Berlin.

3rd Anniversary Queen's Head

Beginning April the Amsterdam Queen's Head celebrated its third anniversary. Mistress of Ceremony Dusty made it a night to never forget. But then again what nights at this popular bar can you forget?
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Pictures Mega Trash - First Party Sept 1

A fetish party to remember forever, 2000 visitors enjoyed eroticism, sex, shows. A visual impression. Next party in September!

Amsterdam queueing up for Johan Paulik

Tuesday, April 10. An important day for Johan Paulik fans. Touring Europe, eight cities in eight days, Johan also showered his signature on his admirers in bookstore Vrolijk and The Bronx. Gay News was there to take his shirt of his back (figuratively, dear). As it turned out, we first had to clear some hurdles.

Pink Point returns

Pink Point, which claims the title of the world's first gay and lesbian information kiosk, has returned for a six-month season to its spot next to the Homomonument on the Westermarkt.

Miss Janet if you are nasty

There have been some rumors that Janet Jackson might be gay or at least homosexual. Janet, who is performing at the TMF awards in Rotterdam today, admits she has been attracted to woman in the past but has never slept with them.

Valencia

Like each and every Spaniard prides himself on his own home town most, also Los Valencianos" claim Valencia has it all. Sea, beaches, mountains and lots of sunshine. And with over 300 sunny days a year they might have something there. Valencia, after Madrid and Barcelona the third major city in Spain, stands mainly for Mediterranean oranges, saffran yellow rice and and easy way of living. Over 800.000 citizens inhabit a city which combines historical splendour with modernity, and where people manage to find reasons time and again for extravagant parties. Valencia is authentic, warm and characteristic.

An Aussie in Amsterdam

Richard Keldoulis may come from Sydney, Australia, but it`s Amsterdam that he has called home for over a decade. Through his company Bazaar Productions, Keldoulis is an active force in Amsterdam`s gay scene and is responsible for, among other things, the new gay information kiosk Pink Point at the homo monument. Good natured and laid back, he possesses a charming Aussie accent, a quick laugh and a boyish smile. I caught up with him for a chat last December just before he left to spend the holidays in Australia

Sublime enthusiasm for SM and fetish

Stepping into one of Europe`s biggest leather and rubber stores is an experience in itself. And talking to owner Henk Albronda about his profession turned out to be fascinating. His enthusiasm and love for SM would even bring a rhinestone queen to deck herself out with whips and leather.

L`Indochine: bliss upon bliss

On yet another rainy day in September the three of us headed for l`Indochine. When Johannes van Dam, the guru of food, merits an 8.5, you can get your hopes up indeed. Walking into the place your eye is drawn right away by enormous bunches of lilies. Soft yellow lights heighten the atmosphere.

Sauna Boomerang Celebrates First Birthday

Over the past couple of years very few new gay venues have opened in Amsterdam. Which makes it all the more reason to celebrate this month the first birthday of Boomerang, the new sauna in the red light district.

Black Body celebrates fifth anniversary

Since celebrating its fifth anniversary and in the throes of organizing Amsterdams first rubber only party, our roving reporter decided to have a talk with the owner of Black Body, Rick Souerbren. A rhetorical question actually, why a rubber only party. But we asked it nevertheless, curious to find out what an expert in the field has to say.

Jubilation year for motor clubs in Paris and Amsterdam

Many major cities in Europe have their own motor clubs. The Association Sportive Motorcycliste de Paris (ASMF) is the one in the French capital, a club specifically catering to gay men who are into S&M. A strong bond of friendship and solidarity amongst its members, approximately 100, is typical for this club that not only puts its mark on the Parisian leather scene, but, according to its own official statements, on the French scene in general.

Gay Paparazzi

Tolerance within Amsterdam gay scene leaves much to be desired

Each year hundreds of American students come study for a while in Amsterdam. Nothing special you`d think. But the world knows a lot of boring trades, drawing even more boring students, who couldn`t care less where they end up as long as they`re away from home for a year.

Gay Paparazzi

Marketing manager wins IML

Chicago – Over 1800 spectators saw Mike Taylor from Cincinnati win unexpectedly the 22nd International Mr. Leather title on Sunday night May 28. This 38 years old marketing manager at Proctor & Gamble was selected from an international field of a record 62 candidates by 8 wise leathermen and one wise leatherwoman. Mr. Leather Holland 1999 John Pijnenburg reached gloriously the finals and showed to be one of the public`s main favourites…

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The faces, the places...

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J/O revival in Amsterdam Stablemaster Bar

At the end of the seventies, even at the beginning of the eighties, gay sex life bloomed as never before. Gone were the days of secretively and carefully trying to live out your hottest fantasies. Anything went, everything was possible and it all happened. No wonder of course, sexual liberation not only enabled gays to openly show their sexuality, it also created an atmosphere in which they felt not ashamed anymore to publicly hunt for sexual encounters.

Gay Paparazzi

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New! Finally a new Network

after months of work, our new Gay Amsterdam Network is finally online. We may suggest submitting your (favourite) site to benefit from it's many visitors.

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