Bar Buka

Bar Buka is one of the few dedicated lesbian and queer bars left in Amsterdam, a warm, easygoing spot in De Pijp opened in March 2019 by Marianne van der Wildt, who took the bar's name from the Indonesian word for "open," a nod to the welcome extended to anyone who walks through the door. There's no dress code or door policy—just a relaxed place to grab a drink and finger food, with tables pushed aside for dancing as the night wears on. The walls rotate every couple of months, featuring art from women in the community, and the calendar is packed: karaoke, queer comedy, a Dutch-style pub quiz, DJ nights, poly speed dating, and Pride events, with an outdoor terrace out back for a smoke or some fresh air. Genuinely inclusive, safe and full of good energy, it's earned its reputation as one of the best lesbian bars in the world.