An LGBTQ Travel Guide To Rotterdam
Much like other major cities in the Netherlands, Rotterdam features many organisations, hangouts and stores that cater to LGBTQ individuals and communities. Read on to discover highlights from the city’s LGBTQ scene.
Social and leisure
Gay Sauna Finland
Rotterdam’s only gay sauna has been in business since the early 1980s and is located on northern side of the city’s Charlois district. The establishment features several spa facilities including jacuzzis, saunas and private cabins. Although it usually costs €16 to enter Gay Sauna Finland, the sauna offers several discounted packages.
Gay Sauna Finland, Grondherendijk 5-7, Rotterdam, +31 10 223 5895
Ketelbinkie
Rotterdam’s Ketelbinkie is among the largest and most popular LGBT sports clubs in the Netherlands. Ketelbinkie was established in the 1990s as a volleyball club, but has since grown into a multi-associations organisation that caters to eight different sports including football, badminton and swimming.
Ketelbinkie, Frederikdwarsstraat 8, Rotterdam
COC Rotterdam
COC Rotterdam is a LGBTQI advocacy organisation that coordinates several social, educational and support projects in the city. The group organises community gathering throughout the calendar month including events for LGBTQI migrants and trans people in Rotterdam.acti
COC Rotterdam, Schiedamsesingel 173, Rotterdam, +31 10 414 1555
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Bars and Clubs
FERRY
This popular multi-purpose venue opened in 2014 and features several, interconnected cultural projects including a bar, restaurant, gallery and a bookstore. At the weekend FERRY hosts club nights and keeps its bar open until around 2am.
FERRY, Westblaak 127, Rotterdam, +31 10 750 5324
Café Strano
Café Strano ranks among the oldest running gay clubs in the Netherlands and has been in business for over twenty years. The club continues to attract large crowds throughout the week, due to its famous cocktails, first-rate DJs (with a penchant for classic dance-hits) and welcoming atmosphere.
Café Strano,Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 154, Rotterdam, +31 10 412 5811
Themoodsbar
This three-storey bar on ‘s-Gravendijkwal regularly hosts discrete, themed parties that cater to specify sexual preferences and features many sensual facilities including an erotic cinema. For more information about the Mood’s diverse roster of club nights and events, make sure to check the bar’s calendar!
Themoodsbar, ‘s-Gravendijkwal 92, Rotterdam, +31 10 225 1725
Bar de Regenboog
Bar de Regenboog (or Bar the Rainbow in English) lies within walking distance from Rotterdam’s Central Station and many other nighttime hangouts in the city’s centre, including Café Strano. The bar’s decked out in some seriously awesome, old-school disco lights and plays an eclectic mix of hits from the 1970s onward. The bar also hosts a popular karaoke night every Wednesday.
Bar de Regenboog, Van oldenbarneveld straat 148A, Rotterdam, +31 6 34569724
Café KeerWeer
This central café keeps beer flowing until 6am every night of the week and continues to receive plenty of clientele throughout the early hours of the morning. The café organises blowout events throughout the year, including massive parties during Pride and Kings Day.
Café Keerweer, Keerweer 14, Rotterdam, +31 10 413 1217
Events
Cinema
Gay Film Night at LantarenVenter
Every first Tuesday of the month, Rotterdam’s LantarenVenter film theatre organises a movie night dedicated to gay cinema. The event has been running since 2007 and screens a wide variety of movies ranging from cult classics to contemporary blockbusters. LantarenVenter also hosts the Gay & Lesbian Summer Film Festival which takes place between August and September.
LantarenVenter, Otto Reuchlinweg 996, Rotterdam, +31 10 277 2277
Queer & Migrant Film Festival
As its name suggests, this weeklong film festival revolves around movies that deal with issues related to migration and queer identities. The festival mainly takes place in Amsterdam, but also screens movies in other cities in the Netherlands, including Rotterdam. The third edition of Queer & Migrant Film Festival (2018) will begin on December 3 and run until December 13.
Pride
Rotterdam’s Pride celebrations take place over an entire week at the end of September. This yearly, city-wide festival always includes a wide range of events that celebrate sexual diversity including street parties, movie screenings, seminars and parades.
Pride takes place at the end of September in Rotterdam | © lillen/Pixabay
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