Bar Blend is a small, colorful LGBTQIA+ cocktail bar at Reguliersdwarsstraat 41 in central Amsterdam, a two-minute walk from Rembrandtplein. It opened in July 2019 and is best known for free drag queen bingo every Monday from 21:00, plus DJs and drag performers on weekends. According to the bar, it’s open daily from mid-afternoon until 03:00, and until 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
| Address | Reguliersdwarsstraat 41, 1017 BK Amsterdam |
| Type | LGBTQIA+ cocktail bar (“LGBTQIA+ & friends”) |
| Opened | July 2019 |
| Hours (official) | Mon–Thu 15:00–03:00; Fri–Sat 14:00–04:00; Sun 14:00–03:00 |
| Signature night | Drag Queen Bingo, Mondays from 21:00, free entry |
| Nearest transit | Tram 4 or 14 to Rembrandtplein; metro 52 to Rokin |
| Website | barblend.nl |
Description
Bar Blend calls itself “a small bar with a big heart.” It’s a compact, brightly decorated bar where music videos play and the bartenders chat with regulars and first-timers alike. The street it’s on, Reguliersdwarsstraat, runs parallel to the Singel flower market and is widely known as the center of Amsterdam’s gay nightlife.
The mood changes through the week. The bar describes weekdays as a time for cocktails and conversation, while weekends bring drag queens, dancers, and DJs. It’s openly LGBTQIA+, and the owners say friends and allies are welcome too.
Bar Blend is the original of three bars run by the same group on this street. The other two are Blend XL, a bigger, more club-like space at number 44, and Montmartre XL at number 48, a relaunch of a long-running Dutch sing-along bar. If Bar Blend is full, the other two are a few doors away.
| Venue | Address | Best for | Official hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar Blend | Reguliersdwarsstraat 41 | Cocktails, drag bingo, weekend DJs and drag | Mon–Thu 15:00–03:00; Fri–Sat 14:00–04:00; Sun 14:00–03:00 |
| Blend XL | Reguliersdwarsstraat 44 | Dance floor, cocktails, weekly shows | Thu 20:00–01:00; Fri–Sat 20:00–03:00 |
| Montmartre XL | Reguliersdwarsstraat 48 | Karaoke, Eurovision and Dutch sing-alongs, disco | Wed–Thu 18:00–01:00; Fri–Sun 18:00–03:00 |
Key Features
- Drag Queen Bingo: Every Monday from 21:00, hosted by resident drag host Glam from the Dam. Entry is free and it’s walk-in only, so once the bar is full, it’s full. Groups of eight or more can book a table through the bar’s website.
- Weekend shows: On Fridays and Saturdays, DJs, drag queens, and dancers take over.
- Cocktails: A full cocktail bar with classics and off-menu drinks. If you’re not sure what to order, tell the bartender what you like.
- Two floors and a terrace: The ground floor has the main bar, tables, wall benches, and a DJ booth. Upstairs there’s a lounge and a second cocktail bar. There’s also a small terrace.
- Happy hours: Reguliers.net lists happy hours on Mon–Fri 19:00–20:00 and 00:00–01:00, Sat 17:00–18:00 and 00:00–01:00, and Sun 17:00–18:00 and 21:00–22:00. The bar hasn’t published these itself, so ask when you arrive.
- Accessibility: The entrance is step-free, but the toilets are on an upper floor. Card payment is accepted, and there’s a smoking area.
Best Time to Visit
Pick your night based on the kind of evening you want.
- Monday: Go for drag bingo. It starts at 21:00, and because it’s walk-in only, getting there early is the safest way to get a seat.
- Tuesday to Thursday: The quietest nights. Good for cocktails and a proper conversation before moving on to other bars on the street.
- Friday and Saturday: The busiest nights, with DJs and drag and the bar open until 04:00. Blend XL next door also opens at 20:00 if you want a dance floor.
- Weekend afternoons: The doors open at 14:00 from Friday to Sunday, which is handy for an early drink on the terrace when the weather allows.
- Special events: Bar Blend hosts one-off DJ nights. I amsterdam lists several events there between 21 and 24 October 2026, including an ADE networking event. Check the listing before you go.
How to Get There
Bar Blend is at Reguliersdwarsstraat 41, 1017 BK Amsterdam, in the city center between Rembrandtplein and Koningsplein. It’s a short walk from most central hotels.
- Tram: Take tram 4 or 14 to Rembrandtplein. The bar is about a two-minute walk west along Reguliersdwarsstraat.
- Metro: Take metro 52 (the North–South line) to Rokin, then walk south a few minutes toward Rembrandtplein. Metro lines 51, 53, and 54 don’t stop at Rokin.
- On foot: From Koningsplein, at the end of the Singel flower market, walk east along Reguliersdwarsstraat for about three minutes.
- By bike: Park in a proper bike rack and use a second lock. Reguliersdwarsstraat is narrow and gets crowded at night, so it’s easier to walk your bike down the street.
Note that the bar’s own website still says trams stop at Muntplein. That stop no longer exists, so get off at Rembrandtplein instead.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bar Blend a gay bar?
Yes. Bar Blend is an LGBTQIA+ bar on Reguliersdwarsstraat, Amsterdam’s best-known gay nightlife street. It describes its crowd as “LGBTQIA+ & friends,” so allies are welcome too.
Is Bar Blend on Prinsengracht or in the Jordaan?
No. Bar Blend is at Reguliersdwarsstraat 41, 1017 BK Amsterdam, near Rembrandtplein. Older or incorrect listings that give a Prinsengracht or Jordaan address refer to a different place.
Do I need to book for Monday drag bingo?
No, not for small groups. Entry is free and walk-in, and once the bar is full no one else gets in. Groups of eight or more can reserve through the Bar Blend website.
What is the difference between Bar Blend and Blend XL?
Bar Blend at number 41 is the smaller original cocktail bar. Blend XL at number 44 is a larger, more club-like venue with a dance floor, open Thursday to Saturday evenings.
