Red Light District, Amsterdam

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Most famous for its sex shops, adult entertainment theaters, and the women who stand in the red-lighted windows hoping to attract customers, the Red Light District is the heart of Amsterdam’s tourism industry and has been the destination for booze, brothels, and debauchery for five hundred years.

Occasional street scuffles between junkies or outbursts from prostitutes being photographed without permission keep passersby on their toes, but surveillance cameras and a good police presence keep the Red Light District safe to explore.

In early evening, the streets are noticeably lit in sultry shades of red as women start to sell their services, while the international crowd flocks to the bars and discount student cafés for a few Happy Hour pints.

Despite the area’s age-old reputation and continuous flow of hippies and bachelor parties, the Red Light District is still the oldest part of the city with fascinating corners to explore and distinguished brown bars ready to serve those who like to drink their pints in historic settings.

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What to Do in the Red Light District

Belushi's Bar

Lounge / Restaurant / Sports Bar

Party Earth Review The ground floor hangout and lobby for St. Christopher’s Inn and an offshoot of The Winston club next door, Belushi’s Bar is a popular gathering spot for guests of the Inn as well as ... more

Warmoesstraat 129
1012 Amsterdam

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Skek

Brown Bar / Café

Party Earth Review Situated on Amsterdam’s oldest street, Skek is an inexpensive, student-run café and bar that caters to a casual, sociable crowd of local hipsters and students. Housed in two historic ... more

Zeedijk 4-8
1012 Amsterdam

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In 't Aepjen

Historic Bar

Party Earth Review Legend has it that In ’t Aepjen – the first bar built on the first established street in Amsterdam – was a favorite party place in the 1500s among sailors who paid their tabs not with ... more

Zeedijk 1
1012 Amsterdam

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The Winston

Bar / Club / Hotel

Party Earth Review Since its remodeling in 2008, The Winston – an energetic club associated with Belushi’s Bar and St. Christopher’s Inn next door – has attracted a friendly and diverse crowd of regulars ... more

Warmoesstraat 131
1012 Amsterdam

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Cannabis College Museum

Culture

Party Earth Review Dedicated to educating the world on the myriad wonders – as well as the possible dangers – of weed, The Cannabis College Foundation has been operating in the same little 17th-century ... more

Oudezijds Achterburgwal 124
1012 Amsterdam

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The Bulldog Coffeeshop nr. 90

Coffeeshop

Party Earth Review The self-proclaimed "world's first coffeeshop," The Bulldog Coffeshop nr. 90 is an ideal spot for an afternoon of hanging out in the historic Red Light District and sampling the variety ... more

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 90
1012 Amsterdam

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Casa Rosso

Erotic Show

Party Earth Review Smaller than the towering pink neon sign outside suggests, Casa Rosso – which has been in business since the 70s – produces Amsterdam’s most well-known and longest-running erotic show ... more

Oudezijds Achterburgwal 106-108
1012 Amsterdam

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More things to do in the Red Light District:

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Top Upcoming Events in the Red Light District

May 2013

May 19 Sun	Sneeky Sunday Club Night / Drum and Bass / Dubstep 10:00pm The Winston	Add to Calendar
May 20 Mon	Cheeky Monday Club Night / Drum and Bass 9:00pm The Winston	Add to Calendar
May 21 Tue	Live on the Low Club Night / Hip-Hop / R&B / Soul 10:00pm The Winston	Add to Calendar
May 22 Wed	One Night Stand Club Night / DJ / Sexy 11:59pm The Winston	Add to Calendar