Taboo Bar Amsterdam is a contemporary LGBTQ+ cocktail and nightlife bar at Reguliersdwarsstraat 45, 1017 BK Amsterdam, in the Reguliersdwarsstraat nightlife district of Centrum, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Part of a street long associated with the city’s gay social scene, it combines a daytime-to-evening terrace bar with a later, clubbier atmosphere. Travelers come for cocktails, people-watching, regular drag entertainment and Thursday gay bingo, all within an easy walk of Rembrandtplein and the canal belt.
What to Expect at Taboo Bar Amsterdam
Taboo’s defining experience is its change of pace across the day. In the afternoon and early evening, the street-facing terrace is the draw: order a cocktail, settle in along Reguliersdwarsstraat and watch the foot traffic between the nearby shopping streets and Rembrandtplein. Inside, the focus is social drinking rather than a formal seated cocktail-bar ritual. After 22:00, lighting, music and the crowd shift toward a late-night bar-club mood.
The recurring programme gives a visit more structure than simply stopping for drinks. Drag shows are scheduled on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 22:00 until late, while gay bingo takes place on Thursdays at 20:00. These are performance-led bar nights rather than ticketed theatre productions, so arrive early for a better chance of being close to the action and check the venue’s current channels before planning around a particular performer or holiday-week schedule.
- Street terrace: A front-row perch on Reguliersdwarsstraat for daytime drinks and evening people-watching.
- Late-night transformation: A relaxed social bar in the afternoon that becomes more club-oriented after 22:00.
- Drag nights: Regular late shows on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
- Thursday gay bingo: A 20:00 weekly social event combining games, drinks and crowd interaction.
- Central gay-nightlife setting: One block from the Rembrandtplein area and surrounded by bars, restaurants and clubs.
Taboo Bar Amsterdam at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Reguliersdwarsstraat 45, 1017 BK Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Neighborhood / Area | Centrum, on Reguliersdwarsstraat near Rembrandtplein |
| Operating Hours | Mon–Thu 15:00–03:00; Fri 15:00–04:00; Sat 14:00–04:00; Sun 14:00–03:00 |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | Regular bar entry is free; drinks are charged separately. Check event updates for any special-night conditions. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Rembrandtplein tram stops are a short walk; Rokin Metro Station is about 10 minutes on foot. Parking Prins en Keizer is nearby at Prinsengracht 927. |
| Official Website / Phone | taboobar.nl; use the official website for current contact details. |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For a quieter drink and a terrace seat, aim for the afternoon or arrive soon after opening. For drag, be there before the 22:00 start, especially on Friday and Saturday, when the small central nightlife streets become busiest. There is no standard advance ticket to book for ordinary bar entry; special programming can change, so consult the official Taboo Bar website and its current event updates before setting out. Bring photo ID for late-night door checks.
From Amsterdam Centraal, tram services toward Rembrandtplein provide the simplest public-transport approach, followed by a short walk south to Reguliersdwarsstraat. Metro 52 stops at Rokin, roughly 10 minutes away on foot. Driving is inconvenient in this dense central area; use Parking Prins en Keizer rather than expecting street parking. The pavement-side terrace is at street level, but the venue does not publish detailed wheelchair information for its entrance, interior circulation or toilets; contact Taboo directly before visiting if step-free access or an accessible restroom is essential. Pair a visit with Rembrandtplein, about five minutes away, the Flower Market on Singel, around eight minutes away, or the restaurants and cafés around Utrechtsestraat, within a 10-minute walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best times to visit Taboo Bar Amsterdam?
Visit in mid-afternoon or early evening for a more conversational terrace-bar atmosphere. Thursday bingo begins at 20:00, while drag shows are scheduled from 22:00 on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday run until 04:00.
Does Taboo Bar Amsterdam charge admission or require reservations?
Regular entry is free and there is no routine reservation system for a casual drink. Drinks are purchased at the bar. Check official event information in advance, as special nights, group arrangements or door conditions may differ.
How much time should I budget for a visit?
Allow 1 to 2.5 hours for cocktails, the terrace and the social scene. Plan a longer evening if you arrive before a 20:00 bingo session or 22:00 drag show and want to stay afterward.
Is Taboo Bar Amsterdam suitable for families or wheelchair users?
Taboo is an adult-oriented LGBTQ+ bar and late-night venue, rather than a family attraction; suitability for children depends on timing and door policy. The terrace meets the public pavement at street level, but wheelchair users should confirm entrance access and accessible toilet facilities directly with the bar before travelling.
When planning your Amsterdam travel guide or comparing verified cocktail bar and gay bar in Amsterdam, pair this stop with standout local spots including Mama Makan Indonesian Kitchen, Cafe Bar The Pint, Paulusbroederssluis, and Bar Exit (nearby).
