The tourist trappings of the window girls are vibrant and exciting but are less than private. When it comes to getting a slice of the action, not every man wants passers by knowing his business, particularly when the streets of the red light district are crowded out with walking tours, stag parties and holiday makers. The private house privehuis brothels of Amsterdam cater for men looking for a more confidential experience in the city.
In our guide to the privehuis brothels we take a look at what you need to know before heading out of town. Private houses in the Netherlands are also known as privehuizen or privehuis brothels and are usually located outside of the city in quiet and discreet residential areas. They are usually much smaller than the larger venues and have half a dozen rooms with a handful of ladies working their books. If you walked past them without knowing what goes on inside you would be none the wiser from the unassuming frontages.
In fact, the only giveaway that these are places of business at all are usually a small nameplate indicating the house name and a symbol of the credit cards they take on the window. Unlike sex clubs or some of the larger brothels, most private houses are situated out of town and you will need to arrange a taxi to get to them or other public transport unless you have a car. The house knows that many tourists ask to be taken somewhere they can get a hooker so they get the extra business and the taxi driver cleans up.
Unfortunately this means you end up picking up the bill for that commission when you settle up with the house. To avoid paying extra, ask to be taken to an address near the private house you are visiting and walk the rest of the way. Walk ins are welcome during business hours and you will need to ring the bell or knock to be admitted.
You will be shown to a private waiting area by a hostess and, although most do not have bars as such, you will likely be offered a drink. You should note that private houses arrange this so you are alone as discretion is at the heart of how they operate. It is unlikely in the extreme that you will meet another client during your visit. Image via Google Earth. Most houses have a menu from which you can browse the services and costs before deciding on what you are looking for.
