Daniël (34) works at a nude bar

Daniel came to the Netherlands five years ago and started working in the cultural sector. While looking for a side job, he stumbled upon the Free Willie nude bar. “When friends told me about Free Willie, it seemed like that place was meant for me. I was ready for something new and fell in love with the concept and what the place represents: autonomy over your body, freedom of expression.”

Daniël himself is not always naked behind the bar, even though it is mandatory for customers to be naked. “Sometimes I'm naked, sometimes I'm not. I want to maintain a professional attitude. I'm here first and foremost to work, and I don't want my friends or regular visitors to see me differently. I prefer to remain neutral so that the atmosphere doesn't change.”

Confidence

Naked or clothed, soft-spoken Daniël has gained more self-confidence through his work. "I was always insecure about my body, influenced by cultural ideas and media about masculinity. Here I see so many different bodies—big, small, people with disabilities—and that inspires me. It's a safe space to practice self-acceptance. It has taught me to stand up for myself, even outside these walls. For example, I now feel comfortable explaining what I do here without having to defend myself."

Love and consent

“Beautiful things happen here. For example, two men met during a pool night. One of them was a regular here, the other was a younger tourist. They got talking, fell in love, and now they're in a long-distance relationship. That is going to be an interesting ‘how we met’ story to tell their grand kinds! Stories like that show that Free Willie is more than just a ‘cruising spot’. Real connections are made here.”

Although the atmosphere in the bar is usually relaxed, Daniël makes sure that no boundaries are crossed. “If someone goes too far, I talk to them: ‘This is not okay. Ask permission first.’ Usually, people understand. If they continue, I ask them to leave. It's important to protect the atmosphere. For the guests, for myself, and for the business.”

Equality

"My friends also enjoy coming here—it's an environment without prejudice, where you are accepted for who you are. Because when you're naked, you fall back on who you really are: without costumes, without titles. The professor and the road worker are equal here. That's a superpower. Here you learn that what someone has in their head is more important than how they look."