CAFE 'T MANDJE

Cafe't Mandje (literally "the small basket") is a historic monument for the entire gay and lesbian community of the country. Opened in 1927 by Bet Van Beeren, a famous lesbian in the old port area, the first place of pre-war prostitution, the minuscule establishment became the country's first gay and lesbian bar. Bet, his owner, who drank, was dressed as a sailor or a biker with leather jackets, held him until his death in 1967. His sister, Enchant, took over until 1983 before putting the key under the door. A replica of the bar, decorated with thousands of photos, is present at the museum of the city's history. Today, the bar reopened its doors on April 29, 2008, after a 26-year closure, in tribute to the Van Beeren sisters. The interior did not move…