Binnenstad in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Bet van Beeren
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 18, 2017
1. Bet van Beeren Marker
Bet van Beeren (1902-1967) ran Café 't Mandje here from 1927 until her death. She was openly lesbian thus making 't Mandje the first gay friendly bar in Amsterdam. People came from all over the world to visit this little bar.
Erected by IAmsterdam.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 52° 22.489′ N, 4° 54.054′ E. Marker is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Binnenstad. Marker is on Zeedijk just north of Stormsteeg, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Zeedijk 63, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1012 EA, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Long-time Apothecary (within shouting distance of this marker); Majoor Bosshardthuis (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); " 'T Saligh Roemers Huys / The Delightful House of Roemer (about 120 meters away); Jan Pietersz Sweelinck (about 150 meters away); Sint Olofskapel / Saint Olof's Chapel
this page online
Also see . . . Bet van Beeren (Wikipedia). Bet van Beeren (12 February 1902—16 July 1967) was a flamboyant, legendary bar owner in Amsterdam. While hers wasn't the first bar that allowed LGBT persons to openly associate, the fact that she was openly lesbian, and accepting of a very diverse clientele, led her establishment to be one of the most known. In 2017, she was honored by the city of Amsterdam when a canal bridge was renamed in her honor. (Submitted on July 7, 2017.)
Additional keywords. LGBT LGBTQ
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 17, 2017
2. Café 't Mandje with Bet van Beeren Marker
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 18, 2017
3. Bet van Beeren Portrait Displayed in the Window of Café 't Mandje
Making a lot of money from the pub, van Beeren was known for her charitable works, helping the poor, children and the elderly. She also claimed to have paid for one of the crosses atop the Nicholaas Church. Among her other legendary deeds, she allowed the bar to be used as an arms depot for the Dutch resistance during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. While homosexual men became targets of the Germans, van Beeren's pub was off-limits to German troops because of its reputation as a red-light district establishment. The use of the term "owl" for heterosexuals has been attributed to a device van Beeren used when the bar was being raided or when homophobic patrols were sweeping the area. She had a light installed in a plaster owl, which was lit to warn her customers. She hung neckties and souvenirs from patrons from the ceiling, held dances on Queen's Day where same sex couples could dance together, and on Fridays would let the Salvation Army band come in to raise funds for charity. - Wikipedia
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 407 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 7, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
