LEIDEN – After 23 years as a fixture in the city's LGBTQ+ scene, gay café De Roze Beurs will close permanently this summer. The bar, a familiar haven for many in the community, is set to serve its last drinks on Saturday, 15 August.
Owner Michiel Hoogkamer, who has run the establishment for 22 of its 23 years, has decided it's time for a new chapter. "I've been behind this bar for half my life," Hoogkamer told local news outlet Sleutelstad. "I just need something different." He plans to take a well-deserved break before deciding on his next venture.
De Roze Beurs was first opened in 2002 by Rogier van der Linden. A year later, Hoogkamer and fellow staff member Detlev van Oosten took over the business. Hoogkamer has been the sole proprietor for several years, becoming the face of the venue for a generation of patrons.
A Final Farewell
The café isn't closing quietly. Hoogkamer promises a memorable final night, stating, "We are going out with a bang." For those who want to own a piece of the bar's history, a special auction will be held on Thursday, 20 August. "Everything must go," Hoogkamer explained, as the property needs to be cleared by the end of the month. The business is not being sold, marking a definitive end for the venue.
Items up for grabs will include memorabilia that regulars will recognize, from the collection of rubber ducks to other decorations. Hoogkamer noted he'll be keeping the portraits of the Dutch royal family for himself. Until the final day, the bar will remain open as usual, five days a week.
Based on reporting by Sleutelstad
