Amsterdam’s Bear Bash Expands into London
Just a few weeks ago Bear Bash, the monthly bear party at the Amsterdam Eagle, celebrated its one-year anniversary. On the night of their anniversary party, they announced that they would be expanding their reach by kickstarting Bear Bash London!
Francis and Paul, who started Bear Bash together, join us to talk about what makes Bear Bash unique and when you can come party with them.
BWM: What is your role within Bear Bash?
Francis & Paul (F&P): We don’t really fit into a single, pre-defined role. If you had to label us, you could call us hosts—but even that doesn’t fully cover it. We came up with the concept together and built the Bear Bash brand from the ground up as a team of two. We handle everything from promotions, making our posts, flyers and materials, handling socials, to fine-tuning the party format and making sure it evolves. But we’re also there on the night itself, working alongside the amazing Eagle Amsterdam staff, handing out shots, making connections, and making sure everyone feels welcome. We want to be hands-on, engaging with our guests, and keeping the night flowing smoothly. We make it a point to greet our guests as they’re coming in. Make it less anonymous and feel like a community.
BWM: What made you start this party? What makes it unique compared to other bear parties in Amsterdam?
F&P: Amsterdam already has some fantastic bear parties—there’s no doubt about that. We wanted to create something that adds to the scene rather than competing with what’s already there. A lot of parties lean towards big dance events, but we saw a space for something a little more relaxed, friendly and accessible—something that sits between a social bar night and a party. We also personally have friends spread through many age categories, ranging from their 30’s to their late 60’s. We wanted to create a party where all of these guys could mingle and meet, where we could hang out with all of our friends at the same time.
That’s why Bear Bash has two distinct phases: Cosy Bear (9–11 PM) is more laid-back, with the music lower so people can actually chat and connect. Then Party Bear (11 PM–late) turns up the energy, making things a little wilder. We designed it to be community-focused—more about meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends than just dancing.
We also wanted it to feel low-key and welcoming, which is why we have fixed times when you can get in without a cover charge, plus some free shots and even free snacks to keep things gezellig (that’s Dutch for cozy, but also much more). Holding it on a Friday from 9 PM means you can swing by after work for a few drinks or come later for a big night out—whatever you want to make of it.
Another thing that sets us apart is our no-photos policy. We don’t have professional photographers because we want people to feel comfortable letting loose. If you want to take your shirt off, make out on the dancefloor, or just get a little messy, you should be able to do that without worrying about being photographed.
BWM: How many bears usually attend? Is it a diverse crowd in terms of race, body type, and age?
F&P: In Amsterdam, we get up to 300 people on a busy night, and we’re hoping for the same in London. The bear scene is incredibly diverse, and we definitely see that reflected in our crowd. We get guys of all races and body types, that’s for sure, and our party format means we attract a broad age range too—some guys join us are in their 20s, others in their 60s. We see a good mix of locals, and visitors coming in, as well as singles, groups of friends or couples. That was something really important to us: creating a space that feels inviting and not “in-crowd” intimidating, where people of all ages and backgrounds can mix and feel at home.
We also see a wide range in how “into the scene” people are. Some guys just have a bit of scruff, while others show up in full leather gear. And we love that. Our motto is: Bear Bash is for all guys with a hairy chest—or a hairy soul.
BWM: What made you decide to expand into London? Any plans for other cities?
F&P: After a great year collaborating with Eagle Amsterdam, one of us moved to London for work. Through our relationship with the bar, we got introduced to Eagle London, and they were open to trying something new. Now we’re incredibly excited to make this work, and can’t wait to provide the same great experience to Londoners. Right now, we’re focused on getting London up and running, but who knows what the future holds? We’d be excited to collaborate to expand Bear Bash even further.
BWM: The Amsterdam party is every second Friday at the Eagle Amsterdam, right? When will it happen in London? Will it also be monthly?
F&P: Yep! Bear Bash happens every second Friday of the month at Eagle—both in Amsterdam and London AT THE SAME TIME, so 9PM. We loved the idea of a pan-European bear party, so no matter which city you’re in, you can head to the Eagle for Bear Bash (well, Amsterdam and London that is). That’s also easy to remember for bears who don’t keep agenda up to date, haha.
BWM: Will London follow the same format, with Cozy Bear at 9 PM and Party Bear at 11 PM?
F&P: Absolutely—that’s the DNA of Bear Bash. We’ll see how it works in London, and of course, we’ll adapt if needed.
BWM: Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
F&P: We’re incredibly grateful for the success Bear Bash has had in Amsterdam. What started as a tipsy idea on a random Friday night has turned into something really special. We wanted to create a space for the community we love—somewhere welcoming, fun, and genuinely social. If you’re in London or Amsterdam, we’d love to have you join us and be part of it.
And of course, a huge thank you to Eagle Amsterdam and their amazing staff. We couldn’t do it without you!
