Yeah but that would mean that half the country here (.nl) has stripclubs and the other just does carnaval. (The latter is a thing which happens more enthusiastically in the non-protestant area). So while you prob are right I don't think it explains it totally.
All that kind of trend (where some specific thing is Massive Deal in a Somewhat Disturbing Way) needs is a spark; it becomes self-perpetuating. Like, America is weird about sex for a couple of reasons, but as of 2025 the biggest single reason is just that it was already weird about sex.
But that's what it literally is? 😄 Amsterdam is basically just strip clubs and the rest of the country is where the durch actually live.
Amsterdam is not famous for the strip clubs, more full service sex workers, and that is more for tourists anyway. It being famous for that.
There is also a bit more in .nl than just Amsterdam. Which is in the middle of the country anyway, so im not even talking about that. More the difference between Groningen and Maastricht.