I would like to start this article by saying that you should only visit these places when the world is finally fixed and we can go back outside!
Now that I have provided this safety guideline, lets go. A few gay places in Brabant (and one that is not, but I really like that place so please let me share it!) for my fellow non-straights who are looking for a safe space where they can be themselves and find likeminded individuals. Sometimes you just need a place with people that are like you. These are those places!
Flamingoos
We’re going to start with a place that we can find here in Breda, since I am going to guess most of you will be in Breda during your time of studying. For a real gay time (in all senses of the word) in Breda you should pay a visit to Flamingoos. It is a fun and colourful place, which the name of course suggest. Who doesn’t love a flamingo? It is the perfect place to get a nice snack in the evening, alongside a beer, or a fruity cocktail. And as the evening continues it becomes a real party.
De Lollipop
One short train ride from Breda will take you to Tilburg where the delightful bar, the Lollipop, can be found. This bar truly has some amazing cocktails for the fruity gays among us. Together with its fun retro American diner look it is a true joy to visit. It is especially festive during Pink Monday, a form of Pride during the fair in Tilburg, when the rainbows are everywhere to be found.
De Regenboog (The Rainbow)
A little more to the east of Brabant, in Eindhoven, you will find De Regenboog (which translates to “the Rainbow” which truly already tells you enough). It is a wonderful gay bar, and my girlfriend’s favourite bar (next to like, any karaoke bar ever!). The thing she likes most about it, and this will sound really dumb, but it is also hilarious, are the tosti’s (grilled sandwiches) they sell when you go downstairs to the toilet. I just find that so funny. Can you imagine? You’re in a club or bar with someone, and they leave for the toilet, and suddenly they re-emerge with a tosti. How is that not the funniest thing ever?
De Plak
This is the only place on the list not in Brabant. Despite that the distance is a bit greater, I really wanted to include this place on the list since it has a real authentic feel to it. It is a small lunchroom in Nijmegen, with a disco in the basement. During the day you can get a pleasant lunch and enjoy the little gay flags. The food is great (and the deserts/snacks to go with coffee especially so). They’re famous for their cheeseburgers (burgers made of cheese, not burgers with cheese) and their friendly staff. De Plak is also known for their awesome organized parties in their disco basement. So, if you’re ever in Nijmegen give them a visit!
There you have 5 different places in 5 different cities to enjoy a swell time with fellow LGBTQ+ companions.
