PRIDE (OR SIMPLY DAY-DRINKING) AND EXPLORING THE GAY STREET
I've been to at least a dozen cities during their rainbow prides; therefore, naturally I needed to see the most unique pride parade of all - the canal pride in Amsterdam. Let me just say this - it is absolutely amazing on a beautiful sunny day (which doesn't happen often here), thousands and thousands of people with their friends and children on the banks of the canals, in the boats parked on the sides. For one day this gray city becomes extremely colorful with millions of rainbow flags being waved while watching the only pride parade on the water. The vibe is great and obviously alcohol helps a lot.
The friends that I joined had a table with champagne and snacks - basically picnicking or should I say getting drunk in style. I was never against champagne and canapés for breakfast, We were mingling, cheering the boats passing by and observing all the hot boys (that I wish we saw more).
The parade is just a tiny part of the pride day for gays and straights and everything in between. After it's over all the gays head to the Reguliers street for the day party. This official gay street becomes a day club for a couple days. It's super packed, you can hardly get into the street, but if you find a spot to dance next to hot boys (which we did), I don't mind it being packed. Just wear the worst shoes you have and take that shirt off!
It was clear by then that this would be another drunk day and night for me, so I used the chance to explore a few gay bars on Reguliers street. Firstly, we pushed our way to EXIT. Yes - it is that packed! It's tiny, but can be fun. Also no cover is a plus. Pop beats, loud screaming queens. Before entering next time I would evaluate if it's not too packed. People say it's super busy every weekend. Funny fact - bathrooms are as big as the dancing room - perfect place to catch your breath. Use your time there as the bathroom has a cover. I will never understand this stupid Dutch habit to have paid bathrooms in the clubs!! Pee outside in the street urinals to save the money!
The next one was another tiny place - TABOO. It does pretend to be classy, but it's not! Drinks are not expensive and not too watered down, which is great. Drag queens are boring and games they often try to play with the crowd don't work for me (drunk British tourists like them though). Eventually for most people this place is a kiosk that sells the drinks, that you buy and drink outside.
SOHO must be my fave bar on the street. Firstly, it's bigger with two levels of dancing queens; I guess all the bars named SOHO are similar around the world. I've been there a few other times. There's a happy hour around midnight - ask around when it starts. I don't remember bartenders in any gay bar being so bored by their job; They were not worth a single euro tip. You just have to ignore those faces and dance with all the drunk and much happier people around you. Dutchies typically drink the beer and go to bathroom upstairs paying the toilet lady 0.50 EUR for every pee.
It's rating time!:
SOHO 🍭🍭🍭🍭
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coolness of the venue --------🍭🍭🍭🍭
EXIT 🍭🍭🍭
hotness of the crowd ---------🍭🍭🍭🍭
friendliness of the people ----🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭
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TABOO 🍭🍭🍭
hotness of the crowd ---------🍭🍭🍭
friendliness of the people ----🍭🍭🍭🍭
music quality ------------------🍭🍭
drinks --------------------------🍭🍭🍭🍭
lights and sound --------------🍭🍭
coolness of the venue --------🍭🍭
More about gay Amsterdam >>>