Advice on Amsterdam!

[Paul]

I guess this is a good place to ask for some advice on where to go in Amsterdam. Me and a few friends are planning on going there in a few weeks time and would like to take in a Sex Show along the way. We don't want to end up somewhere that's just an outright tourist trap and get ripped off at the sametime so it would be great to hear someone who's experienced some of Amsterdams' delights as well as places to avoid.

Many thanks,

Paul.

[Valk der Van]

Been there a couple of times (last time about 4 years ago) and Amsterdam is refreshingly rip-off free.

When you are in the red light district, while it appears there are lots of different live sex shows, when i was there the "callers" on the doors all walked their parties to the same place once they had paid (if there is a few of you, haggle - me and a mate joined up with 6 Yanks tourists and got about 20% off the price as a "group"). Once in, it's reasonably clean and airy and does a rotating show (with about 5/6 acts from memory), 2 of them live sex (took about half hour or so i think).

That aside, the Banana Bar is apparently the one to look out for (never actually made it there myself - too mashed!). Set fee to get in for half an hour, live girls performing various tricks - one wrote a postcard to my mate who's stag do it was and she didn't use her hands

Don't worry too much about getting ripped off in Amsterdam and enjoy!!

[Hugh Jampton]

If you're going as a mixed group ( couples and singles ) I suggest a trip to the Paradise swingers club in Schaafstraat - just north of the Ij. Should be plenty going on to watch and you might even get to join in

A few singles ( 2 or 3 ) might get in without female company but I can't see the doorman letting a stag group on to the premises!

[Hornetbloke]

As a resident of the area I'd say to be cautious about ripoffs, there are some around as per every red light area. The Paradies club is okay, but as it's a swingers club then it's quite pricey for single guys with no guarantee of anything happening.
Another good place to try is The Same Place bar
This is basically an "anything goes" bar and can be very interesting if the right people are there.
One of the best of the strip/liveshow bars is Casa Rosso in the heart of the red light district. The show is okay and you may get the chance to try and eat a banana out of a girl's nether regions if that's your bag. Just don't accept the first price they quote you, haggle them down, especially if there's a group of you.
And most importantly, just relax and have fun!!!

[ghostdog]

don't wear a back-pack!!!

you will be approached and asked if you would like to buy cocaine, ecstacy etc. while you are distracted his acomplice will be behind you finding out what is in your back pack.

Cassa Rosso is a good place and do haggle.

[Steve]

Good advice ghostdog.Do be aware of the pickpockets,I was done over once they are very profesional

[Hornetbloke]

Yeah, I forgot to mention those. The trick in Amsterdam is to completely ignore anyone that approaches you in the street. If you do this they may get a little louder and abusive but ultimately will leave you alone. Another trick is for one of them to throw an old mobile phone onto the ground and then cause a scene claiming you broke it and you have to pay for a new one. Again, just keep your cool and keep walking. Plus, a policeman is never too far away in the "interesting" parts of Amsterdam....

[Elton Dong]

if you going for a Thai Watch out for lady boys
unless you into that kind of thing!

[Hornetbloke]

Contrary to popular belief, the ladyboys are only concentrated in a very small area of the red light district so you don't have to worry too much about an embarrasing "Crying Game" type scenario

[Paul]

Thanks to everyone who chipped in with some advice. The only thing left now is to go and have some fun!!!

Regards,

Paul.