Amsterdam's Coffeeshops: What I Seem To Recall...
Written: Dec 12 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: an amusing social study and test of one's facultys.
Cons: some of the coffeeshops are very seedy, no pun intended.
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| Kallisti's Full Review: Amsterdam |
One of Holland's most apologized for attractions (the other one being prostitution) is the selection of coffeeshops.
Some coffeshops have better coffee than others. Most of them sell hashish and marijuana as well as coffee. Some have food; some have hashish and marijuana in in the food, and some may also serve alcoholic beverages and tea. Chai, however, seems to have yet made an inroad to popularity at these establishments. Before reviewing two of my favorites, I should make the following mention...
The economic sense that an organized and regulated retail distribution system for marijuana products makes should be obvious at first consideration. It eliminates a black market, an underground economy. Elimination of a black market economy is beneficial in three ways. Without the attraction of an underground, high-profit & tax free income, a criminal element is disuaded from a high cash flow venue they would normally exploit. Without somewhat arbitrary laws left over from the Prohibition period, a class of marijuana users who do not otherwise make a habit of breaking other laws would no longer suffer legal consequences for engaging in what is simply a cultural affectation and multi-cultural tradition that dates back to time immemorial. As with cigarettes taxable profit generated would in turn inspire more health care jobs -- although sales of Zoloft, Prozac and other popular mood-enhancers would certainly suffer.
Unlike the manner in which certain fanatical pro-marijuana activists in the United States attempt to make marijuana use seem healthy, the Dutch make no qualms about the ill-effects on health created by smoking of any kind. Cigars & cigarettes included. Or the use of alcoholic beverages. There are all considered health problems, not criminal acts. There's more so-called "tar" in hashish & marijuana than in cigarettes or cigars. It may make the user nervous, cause anxiety attacks, and create distortions in perception. It shouldn't be used when operating machinery on while on the job. Short term memory is adversely affected, therefore use in learning environments is also widely and strongly discouraged.
On a moral level, I think, it's about on par with alcohol, tempered by the consideration that unlike alcohol it does not inspire egomaniacal fits of violent behavior.
The attention to quality and honesty about the horticultural techniques used to grow the plant in Holland also insures that a regulated product is a healthier product -- black market goods are subject to unscroupulous growing practices (who knows what chemicals underground, criminal, illicit growers may use? DDT?). In Holland one has the option of requesting the 100% organicaly grown product. That, I think, is civilized.
Anyway, the best coffeshops, in my opinion, are the ones with the best coffee and some added attractions such as beer or the food, decor & music at...
Barney's Breakfast Bar
http://www.barneys-amsterdam.com/
Haarlemmerstraat 102, Amsterdam
Excellent coffee; breakfast-type menu & munchie food; great milkshakes; excellent decor; some of the highest quality smokeable offerings.
They also offer an excellent sound system with great taste in music (ambient-jazz), but the music is at times a bit too loud. It is recommemded that people eat nutritious food before and after smoking some of the most effective marijuana in the world (such as Barney's own "Sweet Tooth") to avoid unwanted blood-sugar dips. The banana milkshakes here are, I would advise, essential side-orders to the so-called Temple Balls, "Bio" (organic) and "Sweet Tooth" (winner of the Kallisti Cup award). The decor is organic and comfortable and reminds me of Dr. Seuss's version of an interior design homage to the primal elements. The people running the place are friendly and humorous. Don't be embarassed to order lots of milkshakes. This coffeeshop, by the way, is not affiliated with Frank Barney of Sherman, New York.
de Kuil
cannabis-cafe.com
Oude Brugsteeg 27
Prounounced kind of like "da cow" (this is the Dutch word for "pot hole")-- this is one of the rare coffeshops that offers liquor & beer along with the finest coffee, great service (which is unusual in Amsterdam), and some of the most attractive bartenders to be found anywhere. There's no food served here, but they encourage customers to bring their own from the many restaurants close by. Chineese food, good pizza and a variety of cafes with thousands of sandwiches and day-glo desserts displayed in the window are within a few meters radius -- the place next door on the same side of the street makes sandwiches up fresh as you order it (I recommend this place, but tell them to hold the tomatos which are pulpy in Amsterdam).
De Kuil offerers tasteful surroundings, a pool table, lots of English speaking Americans, and a tasteful selection of classic rock peppered with lots of Frank Zappa's more innocuous music.
The confounding cigarette machine sports a decal of J.R. "Bob" Dobbs. Watching stoned people become fustrated in attempts to operate this can be very amusing. The trick is to insert exact change and hit the green button that isn't lit up -- as attractive as that illuminated red button may be, it is clearly labeled with the indecypherable 15 syllable Dutch word for "Change Return".
In the smoker's menu, try the Nfl 7.00 "reefer" cigarette, Manali Cream, the "Orange Bud" and you may want to avoid the "White Widow" which is wayyy too powerful for me at least. And feel free to use their excellent microscope to examine whatever interesting plant specimens you may be collecting.
Well, that's my Amsterdam coffeeshop review... when in Amsterdam do as the Amsterdamijtes to -- just don't get hit by a Tram on the way home.
Recommended:
Yes
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Kallisti
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