Café ‘t Mandje on the Zeedijk, the pub known as the first gay café in Amsterdam, is struggling due to the corona crisis. That is why owner Diana van Laar starts a fundraising campaign.
Café ‘t Mandje on the Zeedijk, the pub known as the first gay café in Amsterdam, is struggling due to the corona crisis. That is why owner Diana van Laar starts a fundraising campaign.
The pub has been closed since the first corona measures and therefore has no more opportunities to earn anything.
According to Van Laar, the support is not sufficient and it only comes months after payments had to be made, she writes on the website of the café. “There is no way to make any turnover. We have been able to sing that out so far. It is my honor, but any help is welcome.” People who want to support ‘t Mandje can transfer money via a Tikkie.
Van Laar is the niece of founder Bet van Beeren, the icon of free Amsterdam. Everyone came to her café on the Zeedijk: sailors, whores, painters, writers and gays. Everyone was equal, ties were cut and hung on the wall.
Kissing was not allowed, but men were allowed to dance with men on holidays and women with women. Van Beeren also openly stated that she liked women.
