Just back from a weekend in Amsterdam - my first. For those interested in the nightlife: the “Eagle” and “Cockring,” of course, both attract a mostly leather crowd, mixed ages. The Eagle was much more lively and, um, entertaining on Saturday night than the “Cockring.” My friend and I left at around 4:30 a.m. and the place was still packed. We had gone to "IT" earlier, which is more of a disco and, according to some Dutch friends, one of the more popular Saturday night clubs. Nice crowd, age range 20-30s.

Sunday night we went to "Trut" -- my favorite experience of the weekend. The club is relatively small, a bit out of the way and not really known to most tourists; but with a good mix of music and men. Most of the crowd seemed to be in their early 20s, very laid back and talkative. Doors are only open from 11:00 p.m. to midnight and people start to line about at about 10:30.

Also recommended is “April” – especially for the happy hour when drinks (or at least beers) are 2 for 1, and there is also the rotating bar. There was another place across the street: “Arch” or “Ark” that had a really stylish interior and was nice to stop in for a coffee or drink during the day.