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NEWS - May 12, 2025

Cruise bar The Web transformed into Bears Amsterdam

Name and flags on the facade of Bears Amsterdam

After the cruise bar The Web closed last week, the place reopened last weekend under the name Bears Amsterdam, which also indicates the new target group.

The Web was opened on May 1, 1986 by Barry Hebson and later taken over by Ray Jones and then by Arjan Kröner. He is also the owner of the cruise bar The Cuckoo's Nest, just around the corner, which had already opened two years earlier.

The Web stood out because of its unusual metal facade, with a cozy bar on the ground floor and a spacious darkroom on the upper floor. With a Farewell Party for the many, often long-standing visitors, The Web was said goodbye on Saturday May 3, which means that the place had survived for almost exactly 39 years.

Because The Web gradually attracted more and more so-called bears and Amsterdam, unlike other large cities, did not have a special bear bar, it was decided to transform The Web into one. This was also expressed in a new name: Bears Amsterdam.

Under the new name and with a renovated interior, the cruise bar reopened last Saturday, May 10, with a well-attended meeting and music from DJ Sergio Cardoso and DJ BASZZ. The new place is now open to "bears and friends" so anyone who feels addressed by that can feel at home here.

In addition, the monthly meetings of the Bereborrel and of BLUF (Breeches and Leather Uniform Fanclub) will continue to take place in Bears Amsterdam. From 12 to 15 June, the place will once again be the centre of the annual Bear Pride with various activities, including the election of Mr Bear Netherlands.

- This news also appeared at: Gay News

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