Former luxury brothel may not reopen, Amsterdam mayor rules

The Yab Yum luxury brothel, closed by the council in 2008 after losing its licence, may not re-open as a sex club, Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan has ruled.

The mayor has refused a new licence for the property, a 17th century mansion on the Singel canal, after the official committee investigating the owner said there is a ‘serious danger the licence may be abused’.

The former brothel reopened as a museum last month, which does not require a licence, the Parool reported. Visitors can look around the rooms spread over four floors and complete with chandeliers and whirlpool baths.

Yab Yum lost its operating licence after council officials said they suspected the club’s owner had criminal links and was a front for the motorbike gang Hells Angels.

Since 2003, special legislation known as Bibob has given civil servants the right to check out the background of people applying for a licence to operate in a number of areas, including the sex and soft drugs industries.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation