Yab Yum, Former brothel and museum on Singel canal, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Yab Yum was a luxury establishment housed in a 17th-century canal building on Singel that operated until its closure in 2008. The rooms featured heavy drapes, dim lighting, and antique furniture, attracting an international clientele.
The house opened its doors in the 1990s and became a well-known destination for wealthy visitors from various countries. Authorities closed the house in 2008 under the BIBOB law designed to combat criminal infiltration of legal businesses.
The house name comes from Tibetan language and refers to a position found in Buddhist and Hindu imagery. This symbolic label was part of the establishment's refined identity during its active years.
The building sits in central Amsterdam near the main train station and can be reached easily on foot. Current use of the building may differ from its original function, so visitors should check the present situation before planning a visit.
The establishment enforced a dress code requiring all guests to arrive in suits before being allowed to enter the upper floors. This strict policy reinforced the house's reputation as a destination for wealthy and discreet visitors.
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