SPOTLIGHT: 20 YRS OF PRIK
Founded by a former couple twenty years ago, PRIK continues to be a welcoming space for the queer people of all ages. Their two-day block party for World Pride is set to be their biggest one yet
I recently had a chat with Jelger Bakker, founder and part-owner of Prik, one of Amsterdam’s long-standing gay bars in the heart of the city. We talked about what it’s like to celebrate the bar’s 20th Anniversary, gay nightlife in Amsterdam, and the importance of having safe spaces for queer people.
Mark: Tell me the story of how Prik began?
Jelger: I started Prik in 2006 with Gerson. At the time we were a couple and then we eventually became business partners.
M: How did you meet?
J: Back then I was going to these queer underground parties. There was this space in the city centre above the Aldi and they had a party called Spellbound which happened once a month. That’s how we met. We’d also hang out with friends at some of the gay bars but they were never really my cup of tea. I always found them a bit too commercial. That’s when Gerson and I started thinking about opening our own bar.
We were both in our late twenties. Gerson was a buyer for HEMA and I was working in horeca while I was studying business management and photography so I had some experience working a bar.
M: Was it difficult to find the location for Prik?
J: A little bit. We always wanted to do something in the centre of Amsterdam because that’s where all the gays bar are, but at the same time we didn’t want to necessarily be on one of the well-known gay streets.
M: So, it was a choice to not to own a bar on Reguliersdwaarsstraat for instance?
J: There’s often a lot of bar-hopping when you’re on a street like Reguliers. We wanted to have a space where we could do whatever we wanted and create our own identity. Something unpretentious and where people could feel comfortable to be themselves. We also wanted it to feel playful and kind of flexible so people could sit during the day but also have dancing and music at night.
M: And now it’s been twenty years!
J: When we started we thought, let’s see what happens after five years. If we’re still having fun after that, we’ll go another five years. Time flies!
M: What do you think it takes to keep a business successful like Prik running in Amsterdam?
J: Well, it’s not easy. I think it takes constant work and attention. After Gerson decided to stop, there was a moment where I wondered, do I really want to keep doing this? It felt like things were starting to slip a bit because I wasn’t focused, and if the leader isn’t paying attention then neither is the team.
M: How did you turn that around?
J: Our manager Davide wanted to become part-owner. Being an owner is different from being a manager. You have more of an investment to the bar and the team. Davide’s also younger than me so he brings in a lot of fresh ideas and new energy. Maybe the clientele at the bar would have kept getting older as I get older but with Davide, there’s a younger crowd too. We have a diverse patrons here which is really nice.
M: Prik has been a landmark for the gay community for many years now. How do you think the community has changed over the years?
J: I still think the gay community is thriving. At one point I felt there was a lot more acceptance which meant gay people could frequent bars outside of the community more easily for instance. But lately I’ve also heard young people say that it’s becoming less tolerant so having places for queer people to feel safe are maybe becoming more important again. Of course, everyone can be whoever they want to be everywhere in Amsterdam, but I still think there could be a need for something more.
M: Like what, for instance?
J: I think it could be nice to have more queer cultural spaces in Amsterdam or spots for daytime activities. There’s quite a bit happening in gay nightlife but not so much during the day. I think that could be interesting.
I also think the nightlife model has changed where there are more parties as opposed to gay clubs. There’s Raum and Tilla Tec which, I think is stopping soon, though hopefully something else will open up afterwards. Otherside is also hosting queer events.
M: Is that a nice development to have more of a focus on parties?
J: On the one hand I think it’s nice, but I think at Prik we want to also focus on bringing back that local gay club feel where there’s always something going on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So, even if you went by yourself, you could start to build a relationship with the space and the people who frequent it.
I do believe there is a loneliness issue that can’t be solved by being on the apps. That’s why a neighbourhood bar like Prik is so valuable. It connects you with the community in a different or more meaningful way.
M: For people visiting Amsterdam for the first time, what are some of the queer spots you think they should check out after coming to Prik for a special cocktail?
J: I always say go to Club Church. There Thursday night is always full of self-expression where anything can happen depending on the people and the vibe. Spijker Bar is also good if you are into a bit of an older crowd, Raum is good for a real underground club vibe.
M: The outdoor street party that Prik hosts one of the highlights every Pride season. How did that come about?
J: Every year the bar would have an anniversary party which kept getting bigger and bigger. By our eight anniversary we were already getting warnings from the police and on the ninth anniversary we got shut down because there were too many people.
Then for our tenth anniversary we thought we can’t just have a party anymore, we have to do something bigger. Since the bar’s anniversary is just a few weeks before Pride, we decided to talk with the municipality and with their support we were able to close off the entire street and have a street party.
Amsterdam is hosting World Pride this year so the street party is going to double in size with two stages over two days.
M: What’s the best part about doing a two-day street party?
J: When it’s past midnight and knowing that everything went smoothly!
M: Twenty years on, are you able to sit back a bit and enjoy some of Prik’s success?
J: Yeah, I do enjoy the success of what Prik is, especially when people tell you how important the bar is for them and for their social life.
Having a co-owner who looks after a lot of the managing has helped create a more 9 to 5 structure for me. These days I don’t work behind the bar so much anymore. I can finish my day and go home and cook a nice dinner with my partner. I have time to read more.
People sometimes say they miss seeing me but that they still keep going which is nice. It feels good knowing that I don’t have to always be here to keep this place going, and that Prik doesn't revolve around me.