Amsterdam's Red Light District.

Amsterdam's Red Light District

Everyone has heard about this world famous area but until you see

it for yourself you cannot really imagine what it's really like.

Unlike most if not all other countries on our planet the Dutch are the most liberal minded and the country is actually run as much for the people as possible. How? I hear you ask.

Well to start no one party government ever rules the Netherlands. The government is always made up of a number of parties which is a really great system as all the people seem to get their say and the policies introduced have the acceptance of the major part of the entire society. Unlike every other country on the planet where it's the government who decide what they spend our money on.

If there is a problem like drugs, prostitution or anything else, the Dutch go out to solve the problem and not brush it under the carpet like most governments around the world.

With every problem they take a sensible attitude to it and the red-light district is a typical example.

The main Red Light District covers mainly one canal but there are pockets of Red-light's in several areas spread over the old part of the city and has been servicing the personal needs for 100's of years. There are really two different red-light districts daytime and night time as the area turns from a business area into a brothel. Many people work in offices and in shops in the red-light area. You will find a hardware shop next to several prostitutes or an off licence next to more windows.

But as dark approaches the area obtains a certain charm thanks to the old buildings and huge trees lining the canals and the general hustle and bustle about the place with many visitors and tour groups walking up and down either side of the canals.

The red - light area also has many Bars / pubs, cafes and coffeeshops and music of every genre can be heard along the streets from a dozen or more venues late at night.

Recently redone paths and streets (redone every few years as they tend to sink), many revamped facades of buildings is transforming the area which was once dirty and dingy into one of the most attractive parts of town! Now there are more reasons then ever to visit the Red Light district, and experience this very special area.

After 3- 4am it again turns into quite a scary place as all the tourists have gone and there are only junkies and bums left out and the area can become a bit dangerous as this time of night but there are plenty of police cameras all over the area so it may feel a bit scary but it's unlikely anything will happen to you unless your acting and looking like a real tourist.

Off the main canals run many narrow alleyways some more so than others and one which is just wide enough for 1.5 people to get by each other so on meeting someone (Normal size) you have to turn sideways to get by while the girls look out from behind the windows at the passing parade of possible clients. Up close and personal to say the least.

A word of Warning " Hold on to your wallet"

Walking around the area in the evening before midnight is even more lovely as the Redlight's themselves reflect in the canals which gives the area an even more inviting feel about it with

the buzz of excitement in the air all over the place.

During the day the mix of people is just like any other shopping or business area but come dark the area becomes a male dominated place with few women and the later it gets even less women are to be seen walking about but thousands of horny men eyeing up nearly naked females and hoping for a possible fuck are of course the main attraction.

The women behind the windows range from "very beautiful" to " I wouldn't touch her with a barge pole" (I.E revolting) and many different nationalities can be found including Asian, Black, Latin and some European. Recently the government licensed the prostitutes and now they pay tax just like anyone else. But this has had a bad impact on the number of prostitutes now selling their wares in the area as now only "Legal" citizens can work which has ruled out all the east European countries and Russian also. In fact there are now more windows to let that there are occupied and all the women who did work in the windows have had to go back underground, into the clubs and escort agencies. This was not a good idea.

As all the prostitutes are now licensed and completely legal this has ensured that they have access to medical care.There is even a union for the prostitutes to help lobby the government when needed.

For more info about prostitution, we recommend you pay a visit to PIC, the Prostitution Information Center located in the red light area.

The area of the Red Light district is busy all day long. In the evening hours business is so brisk you might have to wait and the very attractive ones have many men hanging around outside.

Taking photo's of the women is not permitted and you will be in trouble if you get caught. Do it from a distance. No close up shots unless you are very brave or have no flash on your camera/phone.

Along the canals are some of the big sex clubs like The Banana bar (Use your imagination) as well as live sex shows, peep shows, 1000's of video booths with several 100 different channels showing every (and I mean every) type of sex you can possibly imagine. The two most famous (Same owner) are The Casa Rosso and The Banana Bar and both have large queues of tourists outside every night. The price varies depending on what time you go and you can bargain them down if your brave.

Other prostitution

Besides the Relight district there are a number of other brothels and sex clubs that cater to a more discerning clientele. Some of these brothels have been around for years and are located in some of the real classy canal houses easy to mistake for a residence. A few specialize in S&M and other kinky fun. And then there are escort services that can send you a suitable playmate during your stay. In Amsterdam. All the clubs are listed in the Amsterdam golden pages (called Gouden Gids) pages and pages of them and all full pages.

Amsterdam is also famous for it's pornography industry. There are 100's of sex shops all over the place and not just in the red light district, but along other shopping streets. Some of the shops are supermarket size and carry a huge range of every sex aid and toy you could ever want. Full size electric blow up dolls (boys and girls) along with the usual assortment of videos, DVD's and, magazines.

Unlike similar shops in the U.S. and elsewhere, the Dutch shops don't usually draw the line at straight or even gay sex you have sections for all types of animal sex, fetish, bondage and of course gay and lesbian

Most of the places have private viewing cabins so you can watch a bit before you buy.

The Red Light District is also home to Amsterdam's china town where you are guaranteed to get some good real Chinese food along with some other interesting Chinese businesses such as supermarkets welling tons of items imported from the motherland.

Gay Sex / Male Escorts

Warmoesstraat, a very busy street and located on the edge of the Red Light district is home to a most of Amsterdam leather bars and several gay cinemas. But the Red Light district isn't the only place for the gay scene. The main gay scene areas are Reguliersdwarstraat which is full of bars and clubs and amazing looking boys and men. See our Amsterdam Gay Scene page and Gay Places in Amsterdam

Latest Red-Light news - January 2007

A bronze statue will be erected in the red light district in Amsterdam in hour of prostitutes around the globe. The idea originates from Mariska Majoor, a former prostitute who now runs the Prostitute Information Centre. The statue is being designed by artist Els Rijerse.

The work of art will probably be unveiled in March or April, according to initiator Mariska Majoor. A license has been granted and the statue will be erected on Oudekerksplein, a square situated in the red light district De Wallen. "It will be a tribute to all the prostitutes from around the world", Majoor explained. " In most countries, people do not have a shred of respect for prostitutes. The statue is to offer support to all those men and women".

As Majoor stated, the statue is a woman standing straddle-legged on some steps in a doorway with her hands on her hips, looking into the world with a confident gaze, her eyes slanted upwards.

The statue is presently nameless but will be given one during the unveiling., Once again Amsterdam is a first in the world with its monument for prostitutes, said Majoor.

Tours of Red light District.

Red Light District Tours, Amsterdam

Amsterdam Dreams cafe and shop located on Kloveniersburgwal beside Goa Coffee shop offer tours of the red-light district. Amsterdam Dreams are located on Kloveniersburgwal a few doors from Goa coffee shop. You can also smoke joints in here as well. Visit shop for information on the red-light tours.