Gay scene
Strano
The most popular gay bar is definitely Strano. It is small but trendy and cozy. The staff is always dressed to impress and very friendly. They play a variety of different dance music styles, but in the weekend it is too crowded to dance. However everyone is very welcoming towards newcomers and this is a great place to hang out. Watch out for that bell though, if you ring it, you are buying a round for everyone in the bar! In the weekends Strano is open till 4am, all of the other gay bars close at 2am in the weekend.
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 154
Regenboog
In the same street, you’ll find Regenboog offering a mix of gay pop songs and Dutch sing-a-longs. You will find a wide range of people from young gay people to old women who just love the atmosphere and music. There are occasionally theme nights, with the favorite theme being karaoke. Karaoke night is usually during the week and Regenboog is packed with people who love to sing, sing, sing!
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 148a
C'est la Vie
C’est la Vie is small but kitschy and cozy. The crowd is mostly young gay business men and students. The interior is like the audience, very put together. So if you want a bruin bar atmosphere, this is not the place to go. C’est la Vie can be a bit hard to find, as it is located on a side street of the Witte de Withstraat. However Use-It will be happy to give you directions if you need them!
Zwarte Paardenstraat 91
Lef
Lef is a recently redecorated bar with a trendy interior. It tends to draw an older crowd, but they still know how to have fun!
Mauritsstraat 1a
Cosmobar
If you’re more into transvestites, go to the Cosmobar. It is also the oldest gay bar in Rotterdam. It is located between the Gay Palace and Keerweer so it is a great stop if you are bar hopping through the gay bars of Rotterdam.
Schiedamsesingel 133
Gay Palace
If you want to go clubbing, go to Gay Palace The Gay Palace is filled with young people who prefer a gay club to a gay bar. There are two full floors of sweaty dancing. On the ground floor the DJ plays dance and popular music and in the basement the DJ spins a bit of everything. Gay Palace is a favorite for gays, lesbians and heterosexuals alike. The all of the staff, including the security, are very friendly. Every once in a while you might find yourself getting quite a bit of attention from a big man dressed like a woman – don’t freak out! It’s all cool at the Gay Palace.
Schiedamsesingel 139
Next door to Cosmobar,
Villa Achterdeur
Check out Villa Achterdeur, the biggest gay party in Rotterdam every last Sunday of the month, at Off_Corso from 7pm till 1am. Your sexual preferences do not matter one bit, this is always one of the best parties in town! At 7 pm everyone is already in a party mood and by 1am no one is finished dancing, so the entire crowd heads off to the other gaybars and clubs. The main room will be pulsing with House, Dance and Techno music, while the lounge will have a variety of R&B, Reggae, Hip Hop and Pop. Make sure you are on time because it often sells out.
Kruiskade 22
Keerweer
If everything else is closed, go to the Keerweer a very small, very late night party bar (open till 5 am and 6 am on the weekends). You have to enter through the back entrance. The bartenders will keep a tab of your drinks, make sure to pay and take your receipt with you to show the bouncers when you leave. Otherwise they charge you € 75.- per person! You will see a mix of people from all the other gay bars in town after they close, after all gay people really know how to party All Night Long! They will occasionally have live performers, but mostly just have a video DJ, so if you are bored you can watch the music videos of the current song. Watch how much you drink, because that tab can add up quickly and you do not want to mess with the bouncers!!!
1e Westblaakhof