The Cuckoo's Nest

Opened in 1984 during the golden age of leather, and overseen since 1985 by Cain 'Cal' Berlinger and partner Gail Laarhuis the Cuckoo's Nest now attracts a more casual manliness. The well-equipped subterranean play space ranks among the continent's largest, with the bar's website providing a map of its labyrinthine layout. Smoking is allowed in about half of the basement area. Since 2004 the bar has been run by Arjan Kröner — the gay-friendly brother of Alexander, who ruled the Nest from the late 1980s until his death in 2004. This neighborhood bar — which is free entry despite offering a darkroom — is located between NZ Voorburgwal and the Nieuwendijk, just near the Web and just minutes from the Warmoesstraat.