Archives: Red Light Districts
Prostitution is a part of life. Many tourists windowshop the famous red light districts of Europe with wide eyes. What cities have the most interesting red light districts? Here's what you thought:
Stay away from anywhere in Soho - London. I was also scammed into going into a lap-dancing bar for 10 pounds - only to be presented with a bill over 200 pounds. I refused to pay and two six-foot-five doormen took me around the corner to the cash dispenser and emptied my account.
Iian Smith
Leeds, UK 07/10/01
My wife and I recently visited some relatives who live in Paris. We took a nightime drive through the Bois de Boulogne. What a hoot! We got more of an eyeful than I ever imagined. Does anyone know if these "ladies" are men or women? Most appeared to be guys...I would suppose transsexuals. But a few did seem to be women.
Jim
San Diego, CA USA 06/25/01
Do not go into any Soho, London strip club! I got roughed up by a bouncer because I refused to give them all my money and credit cards. I ultimately had to do so, including signing a credit card voucher just to get out of the place. Though I approached the police outside the joint, they refuse to do anything!
USA 04/13/01
News from Germany: "Bavaria Tells Men: No Glove, No Brothel Love" (Reuters, April 13)
"Bavarian men love lederhosen, the tight-fitting leather pants seen as the southern German state's unofficial uniform, and if the government has its way, another covering will soon become more common: condoms.
"The health ministry...said on Thursday that it will require men who hire prostitutes to use condoms to prevent the spread of disease.
"Prostitution is legal in Germany and prostitutes usually require that customers wear condoms. But some offer to perform their services without protection for higher fees. There are about 1,500 registered prostitutes in Bavaria.
"Bavaria would be the first German state to regulate condom use. It plans to introduce the new regulations 'within weeks', a health ministry official said."
whathehey
USA 04/13/01
Red light districts don't EXIST in the US or in many other places in the world. That alone makes them worth a look. It's very interesting to see how other countries try to deal with the ever-challenging problems caused by human shortfalls.
Another good reason to check out the Red Light districts is that it's a great break from looking at churches. Can only see SO many churches...
Strip clubs are also different in Europe.
I'm confident you can safely visit Frankfurt's red light district. It's located just east of the Hauptbahnhoft (main train station). As is the case for any nightlife, the overall scene is most vibrant as the weekend approaches. Friday and Saturday nights are best. There are plenty of clubs to choose from.
From my limited experience in the clubs, if you avoid buying drinks for any of the ladies, it's less likely you'll be ripped off. If your wife is accompanying you, I also think you'd be less of a target.
There are all kinds of little scams that go on in that neighborhood. For example, I once watched this wise-guy milk many of his fellow Germans dry in the sidewalk shell game he had going. I don't know what the trick was, but the Germans kept betting and he took them every time! So if you don't mind losing a little money (say $25-50), it's almost laughable when someone tries to pull something on you, even if they get away with it. Consider it part of the experience!
Don't stay out later than the crowds (~1AM), take a hike through one of the brothels (they're six-story-tall apartment buildings called "eros centers" - and, yes you can bring your wife inside...there are no problems or dangers). Have fun!
Jack R.
Chicago, USA 03/31/01
A friend and I visited Amsterdam in Nov. 1999 and had a great time. Of course we walked through the Red Light District the two nights we were in town. We had a lot of fun. We did not patronize the "girls" but were impressed with how beautiful most of them were. The area was loaded with tourists and I think we saw only one or two patrons actually go in to indulge themselves.
We also notice that Asian and Black prostitutes had their windows on separate streets so there is some segregation being practiced.
The Red Light District is just north of Dam Square and very easy to find but at night the streets are jammed with gawkers.
Joel
Brooklyn, NY USA 03/30/01
I found the red light district in Amsterdam rather lame and tame. It was full of tourists and bored women in the windows. We went into one on the live sex shows and thought it was more funny than thrilling. We paid about US$40 for two people and were hoping for something a little more intriguing. The sex museum that Rick said was the better of the two was much better than the show in the windows or the show in the club.
In Paris, the Pigalle area has a lot of sex shows, etc. but the funny thing about that neighborhood is how safe and residential it is during the day. Everytime I go to Paris, I stay two blocks north of Place Blanche and simply love the area.
Britt
MO USA 03/20/01
Frankfurt, to me, had the best brothels around, a literal smorgasbord of women. I was in the Army at Mannheim, Germany and Frankfurt was the place to go. But yes, you always have be careful.
Steve
Chicago., IL USA 03/08/01
While I quite agree that Frankfurt's red light district looks scary, I've spent quite a bit of time there, at literally all hours of the day and night, and aside from confronting aggressive stripclub touts, have NEVER had a problem. Sure, there are often plenty of junkies running around, but they all seem to be preoccupied with their own interests (i.e. scoring and using drugs). I've even walked up to or by a few while they were injecting.
The very best of Frankfurt's district are the brothels themselves. They're a lot better than the outdoor walk-by versions in Amsterdam, IMHO, because it is much easier to talk to the women.
While it may not seem so, Frankfurt's district is a LOT safer than the NYC's Harlem or the south side of Chicago or LA. In the US, robberies and muggings are much more common, and often racial matters come into play. There are a lot of police in the Frankfurt district. They keep a lid on things.
If you use your steet smarts and be careful how you act and what you show, you should never have a problem in Frankfurt. Strange as it might sound, I've met some very interesting women there, made some very nice friends, and had some great experiences.
BTW, this district is also loaded with interesting Turkish restaurants and some great bars. One night, I met a few very cool German guys. We drank bier after bier together, singing and telling life stories until they closed the place in the morning.
Be smart and have fun.
Jack R.
Chicago, USA, USA 03/06/01
London: boy, is that place expensive. And the strip-joint-clip-joint stories are true. Do not pay. Keep moving peacefully but steadily to the door.
Berlin: the most beautiful prostitutes in Europe.
Ol' Bry
a citizen of the world, USA 02/03/01
I went into a "Girls, Girls, Girls" place with a couple of my friends and we got scammed into the 295-pounds charge for the hostess. We expected a tab of about 30 pounds for soft drinks and tepid coffee (no alcohol served), and when they pointed out that the bill said 295 pounds, I said to my friends that it was a shakedown and we better move toward the door. We were naturally stopped by the bouncer and the manager. I said to the manager we were leaving and if they had a problem with that to get the police. We went around and around like that for about 5 minutes, until finally they stepped aside but tried (unsuccessfully) to scare us that we wouldn't get out of the country, we would be stopped at the airport. We got off cheap by my reckoning. The story and education was worth 40 pounds that my friend did pay.
I agree with Rick: the best advice is not to go in to those places. The local pubs were much more entertaining and most of the locals were extremely friendly to Yanks. Overall, we had a great time in England and would like to get back there.
Pat
Orlando, FL USA 01/31/01
[Note from Rick: This scam is becoming common throughout Europe. Take this warning to heart!]
In the UK - outside London - most reasonable sized cities have red-light districts - but the whores are usually dirty, junkies or slappers. In many smaller towns there are no whores; try places like Birmingham or Coventry - altho' you might get the clap or get scammed.
UK resident
UK 01/24/01
I just have to add a funny story to the comments below. My husband, 7-year-old daughter and I went to Amsterdam in March 2000. This was our first trip to Europe and third day actually there. I was the navigator and got us lost in the Red Light district. I was following my husband, with my daughter beside me, trying to find out where we were on the map. All of a sudden my husband said, "Oh my God!" I looked up to my left and there were the famous girls, totally nude, trying to get some business.
I immediately made our daughter walk on the other side of me and asked her to tell me if she saw any ducks in the river, and commented on how beautiful the sun was filtering through the trees. She never noticed our L-O-N-G walk past these very nude women. On the other hand, I was laughinhg so hard I could barely continue walking.
I guess I was really shocked, but it did end up to be a funny story of how travel will expose you to situations you never before thought you'd be in.
Moriah B.
Seattle, WA USA 01/14/01
I've been to Amsterdam several times; it is one of my favorite cities. The red light district is very clean but the action is strictly mechanical. I suggest the Hotel Crown in the heart of the district (about $40 USD per night with nice staff). Girls, pot bars, and video stalls are on the same street. Be wary of the junkies who congregate on certain corners.
Ground-Zero
Chicago, IL USA 12/28/00
A female Dutch friend of mine took me to the red light district of Amsterdam on a Saturday night. We were probably the only two non-working women walking around, but I felt okay because I was with a local who knew which side streets to avoid. The main street was packed with so many tourists that I would have thought that the UN had relocated!
There were state-licensed, lingerie-clad window ladies everywhere. But they were working like anyone else. Some were having a good day at work and some were not. Some were very animated and sort of working the crowd, while others were bored, chatting on a cell phone or reading a book. One girl was knitting a scarf.
By the way, it's always better to ask for the going rate in Dutch. One lady said $75 when a man asked in Dutch, but $100 when he asked in English.
Silvervelvet
Detroit, MI USA 12/25/00
This last year in Europe, my wife and I were in Amsterdam and only got into the fringe of the "district" and were not impressed. I actually found the small red light area in Haarlem (See Rick's book) to be much more entertaining and almost "small-town" feeling.
Pes
CR, IA USA 12/11/00
St. Denis in Paris (Halles/Marais? - running north-south parallel to Sebastapol) is a safe, interesting walk through a fascinating neighborhood with the most rag-tag bunch of older hookers I've ever seen anywhere! Definitely worth the walk.
Anon
Boston, MA USA 12/09/00
To second Eric, Frankfurt's Red Light District is no Disneyland. They will try to pull you into one of their establishments, and if they find out you are a tourist they become more aggressive. Also, because Frankfurt is a very clean and tidy city, you can end up in the district without knowing. I got away by telling the guy I had no money, but was going to get some and come back.
Tom
Brooklyn, NY USA 12/09/00
I've visited a number of red-light districts in Europe and have found that the one in Frankfurt, Germany, although small and unsuspecting, is the scariest. I'd much rather walk thru Harlem (NY) at 3 AM than walk thru the Red Light District in Frankfurt at any time. The people are VERY pushy. While walking from the train station, I was verbally assaulted and almost physically assaulted simply because I refused to acknowledge a bouncer's "invitation" to a stripclub. Also, the place was littered with hypodermic needles. I was also propositioned by male prostitutes, which I thought was pretty cool. Anyway, anyone heading to Frankfurt, avoid the Red Light District near the Main Train Station.
Eric
VA USA 12/07/00
Don't ever, ever go to any of the "strip clubs" in London's Soho. I was passing by a certain club that read "GIRLS" above the door and one of their girls comes up to me and offers a 5 pound strip-tease dance--in an effort to get me in. I go in, pay the 5 pounds, they sit me down, I am offered a menu and a hostess chats with me at my side. One by one, three or four unattractive girls walk into the chamber so I can "choose" one. I of course didn't choose any of them and I continued to chat with the hostess.
All of a sudden, one of the unattractive girls and a big muscular bouncer demand payment for the hostess' time. The bastards charged me 295 pounds--just under $500! It turns out that the blasted menu had the hostess price listed for 295 pounds in fine print after all the normal-priced services/drinks were listed. (I must add that the bastards were kind enough to discount the 5 pounds I paid at the beginning from the 295 pound charge. At least they were considerate.)
To this day, I still kick myself for having walked in there thinking I was to pay only 5 pounds for a striptease show.
"Joe"
Houston, TX USA 12/06/00
In Arnhem, The Netherlands, "The Boat" is permanently docked on the Rhine River. Any cabbie can take you there. The girls are clean and friendly. The prices are clearly displayed on the "Menus," and you have a choice of rooms.
DannyBoy
Somewhere, CO USA 11/12/00
I live in London, and on those lonely Sunday afternoons I will quite often find myself wandering the red light district of London, better known as Soho. I've had some memorable experiences whilst on these expeditions, and some I would rather forget. On the whole, though, once you get used to the place and learn how to avoid being ripped off it can be a great place to visit.
I've been scammed there, and I'm a Londoner--if I can be caught by these people, foreigners should be on their guard. I was approached by a young woman in the street and was asked if I required the services of a woman. Taken by this woman's beauty, I asked, was she available? She replied that she was and said the price would be £50. I parted with my money and was then led about 2 miles on foot around London. We finally arrived at an address, where she said she had to go in first to arrange the room and I was to follow through the gates in 2 minutes. When I went through the gates I realized the property was deserted, the woman and my money were gone!
the londoner
london, uk 10/31/00
i got taken in london for almost about US$150. it happened just like he said. some girl out front lured me in with a 5 pound strip show. i walk in and a girl accosts me and starts chatting while we sit. she orders a drink. then they tell me to pay up and i am shocked to find out about the huge hostess fee and ridiculous cost of her drink. they made me give them everything i had in my wallet. jerks. guess it's a lesson learned.
naive tourist
USA 08/16/00
Re: concern about Amsterdam. My parents took me to Amsterdam when I was about 13 and made sure to take me to the red light district. It's a cultural experience. I turned out fine.
Adrian
Washington, DC USA 08/12/00
Amsterdam--family friendly? Red light district is spoiled by the porn shops with ALL items displayed in store windows. Had to do some quick explaining to kids. However the smiley women in their underwear became an interesting sideshow. This was explained as "women available for dates." Luckily kids' Dutch blood gives them a sense of earthly desires gone astray.
By the way, the "Hidden Church" museum is the best-kept building in the district. One more thing to be prepared for: losers smoking crack in the open.
Bob
Milford, Ct USA 07/20/00
A recent article in my local paper warned that many of the whores in the Amsterdam red light district are actually men. Remember now, gotta look for the adam's apple first...
Anonymous
somewhere, oh USA 07/05/00
DO NOT ask cabbies where to go; they so much as tell you they get a commission.
The champagne trick is all over and this is a somewhat shady type business.
The areas around the major cities almost all have services and even being a happily married man, I have taken advantage of the escort part, for dinner, drinks, shows, etc. It was worth the money and it did not always result in sexual acts. It was an interesting way to find out about people from other cultures. I have made a few friends and even arranged a job for a marketing major from one of the encounters. I find the views of many of these women to be refreshing, their sense of family is often intense, and more often than not many Americans treat them like attractions in a zoo.
I wish there was a service that provided secorts without the sexual implications, where we could meet and visit others for dinner, etc. without feeling like we are committing the proverbial sins associated. I actually had dinner with one of my companions' parents on another trip. Fascinating people.
Please spare us the lectures of morality. We are old enough to do our own research on safety issues. Let's share the ripoffs and good tips and try to forget that we as Americans feel we must tell everyone how to run their own countries.
Still proud to be American
USA 07/05/00
No photos in Amsterdam red light area? Load of rubbish. Sure, they don't want you to take photos, but it's not illegal. If they threaten you with a knife, call the cops.
Edmundo
Edinburgh, Sco UK 04/25/00
Scam alert: I think everyone should know about a particularly sneaky scam that catches MANY American guys (and others) while in European red-light districts. Scenario: Tourist enters a European "strip" club, and sits down. Almost immediately, a pretty young lady sits down with him, strikes up a converstaion, and gets the guy to buy her a drink. Invariably she'll order champagne. For as long as they talk, she keeps ordering drinks. MAYBE you see one girl come out and strip, but that's it. At the end, Big Beefy Bouncer comes over and presents hapless tourist with a bill for $$$$. (Hapless tourist didn't see the "fine print" on the menu, where each glass of champagne costs US$100.) Hapless Tourist either pays up, or ELSE.
This happened to me in Paris, but I know it happens in London, too. I protested vehemently, and maybe because I was only 21 they let me go without paying, but I would NEVER go into a European strip club again. (They are NOTHING like an American strip club.) Your best bet while abroad is to find "peep" shows (small booths ring a small room with a rotating bed; you insert coins to keep your "window" open). Amsterdam, Lisbon, Barcelona, Madrid, and a lot of other cities have them. They have a changing list of girls, and usually their pictures are displayed outside the booths so you know who's "up" next. Many of these places also have video cabins on the same principle.
Boston, MA USA 03/07/00
Turkey has "red light" districts too. They are called Kara hane (ka-ra hahn-ee - "dark house"). They are areas of a neighborhood that have been walled off so there is only one entrance and exit. No women are allowed. No guns, knives or cameras either. You will be frisked by a cop or a soldier. As in Amsterdam, the women sit behind glass windows, in their underwear or less, showing off their assets.
Steve
Sarasota, FL USA 03/02/00
Amsterdam has the most extensive district but there are a number of other ones to consider. Brussels has a small picture-window street just behind the North Station. At the little two-story walkups near Leicester Square in London, interesting reading is provided with description of the ladies awaiting upstairs. Paris has the Rue St. Denis. The ladies stand on the street in high fashion and furs. (I did not find the St. Denis of as much interest as the areas in other cites.) BTW, the Dutch accommodation of prostitution extends to their possessions in the Caribbean. Quite interesting.
USA 01/30/00
I think a more interesting "red light district" is in Utrecht. The women are in houseboats. Each has the usual picture window, in which she can display her wares, and the houseboats are moored to a long dock that has a paved road running along next to it. By the way, the same caution about cameras applies here too. A friend and I once drove slowly by, shooting videotape, until one of the ladies came flying out of her houseboat in a pink negligee, hopped into a cab and took off after us! We got away, and I got some great videotape of the whole escapade.
Port Orange, FL USA 11/19/99
Amsterdam is very liberal about gay lifestyles too. There are several quite legal brothels with young men (over 18, but not by much). The atmosphere is very casual, almost wholesome. You meet the "boys" in a bar area, talk for a while, pick one, and go to a well-appointed bedroom for an hour of "whatever." If you are "bi-curious," Amsterdam can't be beat.
Billy
USA 10/11/99
Just got back from a 4-week jaunt to Europe that included the city of ill-repute itself: Amsterdam. And yes, Virginia, there are prostitutes there. But not as many as last summer when I visited. And contrary to popular belief, these ladies (and men, and um, he/shes), are not there for your pleasures 24 hours a day. No. They are indeed working folk, and they take breaks and dinners, and usually wind up the night at midnight if it's "slow," or closer to 2am.
Early in the evening is best to catch the freak show of men, women, and children as they parade up and down the narrow confines of the District, eyes wide, mouth agape, and trying to sneak pictures. And yes, that rumor about taking pictures is true. I wanted some snapshots to take home for the boys, and I damn well knew you never take pictures of the girls themselves, so I just took some of shops, a cafe, an abandoned storefront, and immediately some older man comes running out of his restaurant yelling and screaming at me. I high-tailed it outta there...
Also, if you wish to partake in the activities, you better be cool about it. Be a gentlemen, pay up, have your fun, and leave. Those girls have emergency alarms in case something goes wrong. Blue lights flash, the alarm wails, and you will find youself suddenly confronted with a bruiser of a body guard, or worse, the police, who actually look out for the welfare of the ladies there.
Watch out for the local drug street dealers. You can easily buy pot and hash in a local shop, but if it's coke you're after, well, that's a different story. You have to deal with some pretty dangerous fellas...so my advice is don't bother. Don't be Mr. Macho...pass up as quickly as you can. Be a little on guard, open your mind, have fun. If that stuff bothers you, don't go. There are a ton of other wonderful things to do in that city.
Jim
los angeles, ca USA 09/07/99
The Scandanavian Countries and Germany have the most interesting red light districts--something for everyone whether heterosexual or homosexual. But do not think that Europe is more liberal about sexuality than America. Most Europeans take a dim view of these things but tolerate them because they are realistic about the way the world is and not what it idealistically is supposed to be. Yes, prostitution is legal as well as porn but the average European still has the same attitude that people in Cleveland have.
The Berlin red light district--so famous in the 1920s and wiped out by the Nazi's and the War--is getting started back up again in the manner it was before the War.
oswilde
greenville, sc USA 09/06/99
According to a 1993 study by Amsterdam's Municipal Health Service/Department of Public Health and Environment, only 3 Amsterdam prostitutes out of 201 tested had HIV--less than 2%. And the 3 with HIV recently emigrated to Amsterdam from AIDS endemic counties. Almost all the girls insist that clients use a condom. Risks are low if you use a condom. Enjoy!
Fred
Amsterdam, 08/15/99
Watch out in Frankfurt. The train station dumps you out in the red light district, and the ATM's don't work after 22:00. Guess when I arrived..Yep, 23:00. I was stuck without money or a map, no way to get either, and only the hostel name. I tried about 6 ATM's while dodging people shooting up on the street, stumbling junkies, and people fighting over phone booths they were smoking up in. I eventually snuck into a posh hotel and nicked one of their free tourist maps, and walked to my hostel from there. Overall it was a less than delightful experience.
Kirsten
Cincinnati, OH USA 06/21/99
My husband and I just got back from Amsterdam and we had a great time walking around the red light district. We even "socialized" with some working girls at a coffee bar without realizing it until we saw one of them on "display" later that night. We always felt very safe, even late at night and had no problems whatsoever. Amsterdam is a GREAT city to visit. Please have an open mind when traveling and you will have A LOT more fun!
EB
Stuttgart, GER 06/08/99
In Paris I stumbled into the red light district near Les Halles and the Pompidou Center. One block you're on an outdoor shopping street with cheap clothes etc. and suddenly you're in the middle of the XXX movie district. For a woman alone it was disturbing to stumble into that. Be aware!
Tina
Seattle, wa USA 05/01/99
While living as an exchange student in Hamburg, Germany, my host father decided it would be a good idea to take me to Hamburg. A few hours into our visit, he tole me we were going to go to the Reeperbahn, Hamburgs red light district. I was 18 and really scared. I was still learning German, and would've been scared if i was in the US, much less Germany. If you ever find yourself in Hamburg, here is some advice. The Reeperbahn is only scary if you let it be. Don't do anything stupid and you will be alright. If they sense you are American they will harass you. Stay on the main street (as opposed to the side streets) and you should be ok. Basically, use common sense, and realize that being a foreigner, you are a target for scams and crime.
Also, Herbertstrasse is just off the Reeperbahn and is a small street where only men above 18 are allowed. The street is actually walled in. I was really scared when i entered this, having no idea what to expect. All it is is a street about 75 yards long with nothing but full size glass doors with women in them. They will open the doors, talk to you etc., so be prepared.
Dan
Milwaukee, WI USA 03/15/99
Human misery is working the streets at the mercy of all sorts of sexual predators. Those prostitutes in Amsterdam whose lifestyle you condemn are protected by Dutch law.
BlazeDT
San Francisco, CA USA 03/05/99
I've travelled to Amsterdam five times and have never been to the red light district. I have never believed that watching human misery was a desireable vacation activity. If you're not looking for it, it won't be a problem.
San Francisco, CA USA 01/27/99
Don't take photos in the red light district! I recently visited Amsterdam and its red light district. I knew better than to photograph the ladies in the windows. I did want to snap some pictures of the houses for friends back home who may never see such a sight. The minute my camera flashed, a leather clad prostitute ran out of her window and demanded my film. When I refused she threatened me at knifepoint. I surrendered my film. A local bought me a beer and explained that no photos are allowed. Take heed.
David
Little Rock, AR USA 01/05/99
Interesting about the comments of The Window Ladies of Amsterdamm. I remember seeing them in the windows in 1976, a sight that floored me. I, of course, had to take a photo, which they did not like.
Now jump to 1998: I just read that over 45% are HIV Positive despite the Health Checks via the Amsterdamm Government. Dangerous Times.....An even more Dangerous Habit to be involved with one of them.
T-Mac
San Diego, CA USA 12/26/98
My wife and I visited Amsterdam in May 98 and were quite fascinated by all the ladies of the night, waiting for their "catch." They didn't bother us at all. I just returned from a business trip in November 98 and walked around half the area again and found that without my wife I was being solicited a lot. In fact one of the ladies opened her door as I walked by and almost walked after me, calling me, offering her services. It was a very cold night and she was in lingerie. It was either a very slow night or she was from a Northern tribe that was able to handle the 20F weather in her birthday suit. I also noticed that in November (off season) a lot of the ladies seemed to be on vacation.
N. Gulhati
Portland, OR USA 11/29/98
For ojective information on Red Light districts, check out The World Sex guide at www.worldsexguide.org It tells you where to go and where to steer clear.
smith
USA 11/10/98
We went to Amsterdam in May and hardly noticed that there were women showing their "wares" in the windows. If you don't bother them, they won't bother you.
USA 10/24/98 USA 05/11/98