De Spijker (Kerkstraat 4) (meaning "The Nail") opened in 1983 and was a fairly intense leather-and-Levi's bar for many years before changing gradually into a more all-welcoming gay neighborhood bar attracting a diverse mix of all ages and styles. It's big with the after-work set in the early evening, then slows down before picking up steam again from about 10 on. Inside is a narrow, tightly packed bar with an extremely popular pool table in back; upstairs leads to a tiny and only sporadically busy dark room (what Americans call a back room), as well as some urinals backed by angled mirrors (which, of course, heightens their cruisiness).

There are some TV monitors side-by-side over the bar, usually showing porn. A fireplace, extremely sweet and cute bartenders, and cool music (from alternative rock to old camp disco) add to the engaging ambience; also fun are the plaques around the bar labeling the de Spijker's exact distance from various international locales, from Tel Aviv to Marrakesh. Probably this bar's best attribute is its variety of offerings; a horny leather guy can find plenty to do here, and just as easily two dykes visiting from abroad will receive a warm welcome. You'll sometimes see pretty guys straying here from the trendy bars on Reguliersdwaarstraat, perhaps en route to Thermos Sauna, which is a couple of blocks away.