Before hipster party photographers The Cobra Snake or Last Night’s Party, there was artists Marc H. Miller and Bettie Ringma who documented Amsterdam nightlife through Polaroids from 1979 through 1980.

Every night we headed out for 4 or 5 hours seeking customers in Amsterdam’s entertainment districts. Although at first we were not sure we would succeed, in retrospect I can see our success was virtually assured. Dutch art history is full of portraits done in bars and taverns, but apparently we were the first to update this tradition with instant photographs. Our Polaroid camera was a money machine fueled by alcohol; each photo sold for 6 guilders (approx. $3) and we usually took more than 50 pictures a night. We were soon a fixture of the city’s nightlife with many regular customers eager to get new pictures whenever we happened to cross their path.

The final product takes you inside the Red Light District and gives you a glorious glimpse of the bar scene and what debauchery one might find himself or herself in.

Again, some of these images are probably NSFW. You’ve been warned.

Café de Zon:

 

 

 
Café de Zon Exhibitionists:

 

 

 
The Turkish Bar Camlica:

 

 

 
Bar Girls Along the Zeedijk:

 

 

 
Chez Tony:

 

 

 
Café Festival:

 
Drinking Groups at the Old Bell Inn:

 
via 98 Bowery