SAVE
DE SAAREIN!
The oldest and most famous feminist queer café in the Netherlands needs your help! Contribute to the continuation of Café Saarein!
1,691 donations
Why
Café Saarein, an iconic spot in the Amsterdam lesbian and queer scene for decades, is preparing for a new phase. Dia Roozemond, the current owner, has passionately run the café for 25 years but is now retiring. An uncertain future looms for this brown café in the Jordaan.
Two young barwomen, Talisa Harjono and Sterre Marijn Krot, supported by activist entrepreneur Sebastian Kersten, want to preserve the café at all costs.
“We cannot afford to lose another legendary LGBTQIAP+ place!”
With the help of over thirty volunteers from the queer community and your financial support, we can take over Saarein and transform it into a foundation that is run by our community.
1978
Saarein 1
In 1978, a women’s collective buys a brown café from operators Saar and Rein. Women can meet each other in Café Saarein in complete freedom and safety.
1999
Saarein 2
In 1999, hospitality icon Dia Roozemond takes over. She expands the door policy and welcomes all ‘queer-minded’ people.
2024
Stichting Saarein
After 25 successful years, Dia wants to retire (well-deserved). She prefers that the staff take over the café, and that the special character of this beautiful brown café is preserved.
With your help, this can happen.
1978: Saarein 1
In 1978 koopt een vrouwencollectief een bruine kroeg over van uitbaters Saar en Rein. Vrouwen kunnen elkaar in Café Saarein in alle vrijheid en veiligheid ontmoeten.
1999: Saarein 2
In 1999 neemt horecakanon Dia Roozemond het stokje over. Ze verruimt het deurbeleid en verwelkomt alle ‘queer minded mensen’.
2024: Stichting Saarein
Na 25 succesvolle jaren wil Dia met (welverdiend) pensioen. Het liefst ziet ze dat personeel het café overneemt, en dat het bijzondere karakter van dit mooie bruine café behouden blijft.
Dat kan, met jouw hulp, gelukkig gebeuren.
1978: Saarein 1
In 1978 koopt een vrouwencollectief een bruine kroeg over van uitbaters Saar en Rein. Vrouwen kunnen elkaar in Café Saarein in alle vrijheid en veiligheid ontmoeten.
1999: Saarein 2
In 1999 neemt horecakanon Dia Roozemond het stokje over. Ze verruimt het deurbeleid en verwelkomt alle ‘queer minded mensen’.
2024: Stichting Saarein
Na 25 succesvolle jaren wil Dia met (welverdiend) pensioen. Het liefst ziet ze dat personeel het café overneemt, en dat het bijzondere karakter van dit mooie bruine café behouden blijft.
Dat kan, met jouw hulp, gelukkig gebeuren.
How
TOGETHER WE’RE GOING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN THROUGH CROWDFUNDING
We need an amount of €200k for the takeover of the café. On top of that, we hope to raise an additional €50k for renovations.
It might sound like a hefty sum, but together, we can do this. We’re convinced.
Saarein Becomes a Foundation
This place is extraordinarily important for the queer community. That’s why we want to take over the café in a socio-economic manner.
Café Saarein will become a foundation that is run for and by the community.
We will use the proceeds to support organizations and initiatives that promote the position of women and LGBTQIAP+ individuals.
Renovations
Besides the takeover sum, we want to raise money for maintenance (painting and fixing up the floor) and improvements (such as making the bar more practical and sustainable and improving air regulation). Fear not, Saarein will stay Saarein, our trusted brown queer café where everyone is welcome.
Donate Now!
Events
In March and April, we are organizing various events in the spirit of the crowdfunding. Will you join us?
Auction
Join the auction at Café Saarein, where historical documents, iconic bar items, and unforgettable events will go be auctioned.
Saarein, Amsterdam
18:00 – 00:00
BINGO
Join in the fun Bingo night at Café Saarein! Win amazing prizes and enjoy an evening full of fun and surprises. Don’t miss out!
Saarein, Amsterdam
18:00 – 00:00
Dinner
Come to our special fundraising dinner. Enjoy delicious dishes while supporting the crowdfunding. Featuring performances by the amazing Shishani among others!
Saarein, Amsterdam
18:00 – 23:00
PUBQUIZ
Come in and join us for the Saarein pub quiz!
Saarein, Amsterdam
18:00 – 00:00
PARTY AT PARADISO
On April 14, 2024, Saarein, along with friends, will relocate to Paradiso for one evening. This evening will bring the entire Saarein community under one roof to celebrate both the history of this queer institution and to usher in the next chapter.
Paradiso, Amsterdam 19:00 – 05:00
Who
Initiators
We are Talisa Harjono and Sterre Marijn Krot, bar women and best friends, eager to give Café Saarein a next life.
Our shared passion and fighting spirit to advance feminism and the queer community unite us. Everything we hold dear comes together in Saarein: both the history and future of women’s rights, the queer community, and the preservation of Amsterdam’s cultural identity.
Over the past few months, we have been working with Sebastian Kersten and a team of amazing volunteers to take over Saarein.
