Erin Tasmania
The Amsterdam-based DJ and entertainer talks about her enduring
love for Getto, the Red Light District’s best-kept secret
”
IN 1999, WHEN I FIRST
set foot inside
Getto
[51
Warmoesstraat; getto.nl]
–
a welcoming gay bar
on what used to be one of the red light district’s
most notorious streets – little did I know that a
few years later I’d embark on a four-year stint as its
resident bingo-caller.
“
Opposite a coffeeshop (the kind that doesn’t
serve lattes), the place is owned by John and
Bertie, whose colourful personalities fill the place.
They used to be together; now they’re best friends.
“
Like most venues in this oldest part of
Amsterdam, Getto is small but perfectly formed,
with a corridor-like bar opening on to a snug out
back, where Elvis the cat holds court amid a riot
of kitsch artefacts and exhibitions by local artists.
There are more disco balls than you can count,
especially after a few of the fresh mint and
prosecco cocktails.
“
When I first arrived in town from Australia,
I would come here with a group of fellow expat
misfits. But I soon learned that it’s the kind of
joint where you can strike up a conversation
with pretty much anyone. I love to sit at one of
the street-facing tables, because it’s like the best
TV show on earth. All of human life walks past –
tourists from all over the world, businesspeople
and local bad boys.
“
I was the first ‘real’ girl to host the bingo show.
We were quite strict with cheaters – the
penalty for a false call was ice down your pants.
“
I work elsewhere now, but I’m still here all
the time. The place recently celebrated its 15th
anniversary and a recent innovation is a selection
of juicy home-made burgers named after local drag
queens. I’m petitioning for a dish named after me.”
AS TOLD TO MARK SMITH. PHOTO MARCUS KOPPEN
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