Wikipedia
Warmoesstraat (' Chard Street') is one of the oldest streets in Amsterdam, running parallel to the river Amstel from Amsterdam Centraal railway station to Dam Square. Its origins are in the 13th century. In the 16th and 17th century it was the shopping street. The poet Joost van den Vondel sold silk stockings here.
Today, the busy Warmoesstraat has a variety shops, bars, restaurants, cheap hotels, coffee shops and sex boutiques. The Prostitution Information Center and the artist run W139 art space are also located on this street. It is located adjacent to the Red light district.
The Warmoesstraat-area is also known as the Leather area. There are many cruise and fetish bars and bars with darkrooms. The popular Zeedijk is close by, as well as the area around the NZ Kolk and Spuistraat where more and more gay life is opening up.