PAMELA

PAMELA is a vibrant, colorful queer and BIPOC safe haven in Amsterdam's Oud-West, founded in 2020 by Dutch-Nigerian owner Lola Edobor, who spotted a real gap: the city's well-known gay bars weren't always built with queer people of color in mind. A small corner spot that's made an outsized mark on the scene, it's got a little bit of everything: top-notch cocktails, pop-up kitchens (Egyptian dinners Wednesday to Sunday from Sanaa's Kitchen), drag, tarot readings, DJ sets, and parties — its lineup as varied as a Pride parade. Fully vegan and vegetarian because Lola loves people and animals alike, it operates on a proudly inclusive door policy that prioritizes the queer and BIPOC community, while welcoming everyone else as a guest in Pamela's world. Close-knit, warm, and endlessly creative, it's the kind of place where the regulars feel like family, and you'll likely stay far longer than planned.