Casa Rosso Erotic Theatre Amsterdam 2026
Posted on: March 1, 2026
Casa Rosso Amsterdam: Sex Show, Tickets & Honest Review
Casa Rosso is the best-known erotic theatre in Amsterdam’s Red Light District — a large, historic stage show on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal that has run since the late 1960s. At €65 per person, with tickets sold only at the door, it is also the priciest sex show in De Wallen, and plenty of visitors ask whether it is really worth it.
We have been through its doors and dug into its past, so here is the honest picture: what the shows are actually like, what you pay, how it compares to the cheaper Moulin Rouge down the same canal, and everything you need to know before you go.
Last updated: 15 July 2026
Casa Rosso tickets cost €65 per person (including one drink) and are sold only at the door — there are no online or mobile tickets, and you cannot reserve a seat in advance. That makes it roughly €25 more expensive than the Moulin Rouge, which you can book online from €40. Casa Rosso runs eight different acts across about 60–80 minutes, including a couple who have live sex on stage, alongside solo striptease performances.
During the night, several erotic artists perform on stage. It’s one of the few places in Amsterdam, where you can see live sex on stage. Casa Rosso has almost 200 seats inside – all with a (cinema) reddish colour.
Picture of Casa Rosso taken from the front.
Casa Rosso History
It is located on the main street of the Red Light District; the Oudezijds Achterburgwal. Casa Rosso was founded in 1968 and has a special history. It offers impressive live sex shows on stage.
This sex show in Amsterdam was founded in 1969 by Maurits de Vries, a.k.a. Zwarte Joop (Black Joop). He was born in 1935 and experienced the Second World War. During the war, he had to go underground. Maurits fled to the north of Holland, known as Friesland. On a farm in Friesland a peasant woman told Maurits that his name sounded too Jewish. This is how he got the nickname Joop.
‘Zwarte Joop’ poses with an inflatable elephant. Photo by Ronald Hoeben.
He was one of the pioneers in the Red Light District of Amsterdam. He opened this erotic theatre in the beginning of the sexual revolution. From the 1960’s onwards, people started to discover their sexuality more and more. Something they did more publicly. Especially in Amsterdam, people want to get rid of the dullness of the 1950’s.
The sale of porn magazines increased. In that time there were hardly any porno movies in the Netherlands. For this reason Maurits de Vries decided to open the first sex show in the Netherlands; Casa Rosso. In the early days, live sex on stage wasn’t allowed, even most porn movies weren’t allowed. The local authorities didn’t know for a long time whether Casa Rosso’s business was legal, therefore they tolerated it.
Staff members
Some staff members were/ are quiet eccentric. This is Joop Staarthof, also known as “Ome Joop” or “Uncle Joop Moustache” who worked at Casa Rosso in Amsterdam for decades. He started in the 1970’s. He did all kinds of things. He assisted all customers to their seats, getting lunch for the staff, helping with reservations, he sold tickets and he also sailed over the canals, dressed in a captain’s suit, to bring people to the sex theater. Joop kept working there even though he reached the age of 88.
For 11 years in a row, he owned the title for having the best moustache in the Netherlands. He even received the international moustache award 4 times.
Casa Rosso During The 1980’s
Amsterdam, Red Light District, Casa Rosso, winter of 1988.
In those years, the police often entered Casa Rosso to check if they did everything by the book. However, most entrepreneurs and employees knew what all of the police officers looked like, so they informed everybody in the district when the police were doing a check.
Casa Rosso had come up with brilliant method to avoid any trouble with the Dutch authorities. They changed all the hardcore porn movies to erotic cartoon movies. They hid all the real porn movies on the roof of the building.
Back then, Maurits de Vries was also known as a guy who was well connected with the American and Italian criminals. Casa Rosso was funded by an infamous American gangster called Meyer Lansky, according to two reporters who published this article in Dutch newspaper Parool. Mister Lansky was also known as the architect of the American organized crime.
In 1983, Maurits de Vries fled to Switzerland, on the advice of a famous Dutch lawyer – Max Moszkowicz. Apparently Maurits de Vries was having trouble with the Dutch justice department and the tax administration. In 1986, de Vries passed away.
Learn everything about the Dutch culture, legal prostitution, Amsterdam’s history, ‘coffeeshops’ and Holland’s most famous area. Book our Red Light District tour today.
MORE INFO >Casa Rosso Theatre Today
These days, Casa Rosso is owned by Jan Otten. He started working there as a doorman but through the years he eventually got promoted to managing director. Later on, he was fortunate enough to be able to buy the place.
Sex Shows in Casa Rosso
So, this is theatre in Amsterdam where you can experience live sex on stage. It offers eight different acts every night. Exciting stripteases, fun shows and also couples who have sex together, like Erica and Udy.
They actually have a relationship and have been working for Casa Rosso for more than 17 years now. They enjoy working together, also because they both have a huge libido. One of the few couples who make money by having sex with each other.
All sex workers in Casa Rosso are very professional, the staff is friendly and everything is very clean inside. Everything is done with respect here. The erotic shows have a total duration of 60 to 80 minutes, and are of course not for the prudish.
Casa Rosso Amsterdam Review
Casa Rosso Opening Hours
Casa Rosso is open 7 days a week, from 7 PM to 2 AM (19:00–02:00). Shows repeat throughout the evening, so you can arrive at any time and stay for as many as you like.
How to Get to Casa Rosso Amsterdam
Casa Rosso is at Oudezijds Achterburgwal 106-108, 1012 DS Amsterdam, on the main canal of the Red Light District. Here are the two easiest walking routes — from Dam Square (red, ~5 min) and from Amsterdam Centraal (blue, ~11 min).
🔴 From Dam Square
Open walking route in Google Maps ↗🔵 From Amsterdam Centraal
Open walking route in Google Maps ↗The Red Light District is car-free, so you always arrive on foot. The nearest metro/tram is Nieuwmarkt or Amsterdam Centraal; taxis can only drop you at Damstraat or Nieuwmarkt.
Casa Rosso Amsterdam Tickets & Prices
Because Casa Rosso only sells at the door, expect a queue on busy nights. If you would rather book ahead with a mobile ticket and a secured seat, the Moulin Rouge is the easier option.
Casa Rosso Amsterdam Practical Information
Good to Know Before You Visit
What is Casa Rosso Amsterdam?
Casa Rosso is a live erotic theatre in the heart of Amsterdam’s Red Light District, open since the late 1960s. It seats around 184 people and runs a rotating programme of eight stage acts a night — solo striptease and live couple performances — on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal, the main canal of De Wallen.
How much are Casa Rosso tickets?
Entry to Casa Rosso is €65 per person, which includes one drink. Tickets are sold only at the door — there are no online or mobile tickets and you cannot reserve a seat. That is about €25 more than the Moulin Rouge, which you can book online from €40.
Is Casa Rosso worth it?
Casa Rosso delivers a polished, full-length show with a long history and a genuine live-couple act, so many first-timers enjoy it. The catch is the price and the door-only tickets: at €65 it is the most expensive sex show in the Red Light District. If value and booking ahead matter to you, the Moulin Rouge covers a similar experience for less.
Casa Rosso vs Moulin Rouge: which is better?
They are similar shows a two-minute walk apart. Casa Rosso is bigger and more famous but costs €65 at the door with no reservations; the Moulin Rouge is €40, bookable online with a mobile ticket and a secured seat. For most visitors the Moulin Rouge is the better-value choice, while Casa Rosso appeals if you specifically want the classic, historic name.
Can you take photos inside Casa Rosso?
No. Photography and filming are strictly forbidden inside Casa Rosso to protect the performers, and staff enforce it. Phone calls and texts are meant to be taken outside. You are free to photograph the neon facade on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal before you go in.
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Amsterdam Red Light District Prices
Prefer a show you can book online and reserve a seat for?
Casa Rosso tickets are usually sold at the door. Moulin Rouge Amsterdam offers the same Red Light District erotic-theatre experience with online booking, reserved seating and fixed showtimes.
See Moulin Rouge Amsterdam tickets →One Response to Casa Rosso Erotic Theatre Amsterdam 2026
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