As you probably knew, I spent last weekend in Amsterdam, the suprisingly liberal city where (most) things go. My travel blogs usually consist of a blow by blow commentary of what I did on a chronological order – this time I’m going to go a different direction and go with what Amsterdam is known for….and I am going to start with De Tweede Kamer.

Most Coffeeshops (if you have no clue what I’m on re: coffeeshops, you probably need to stop reading right about NOW) in Amsterdamn literally looks dodgy and illegal – even though soft drugs have been legal in Amsterdam since the 70s (as I am sure you all already know ).Neon lights and dodgy characters are aplenty in most of the touristy coffeeshops nearer to Dam Square and Central station. With over 300 coffeeshops just in Amsterdam itself, how do you sort out the crap from the gold?

De Tweede Kamer comes very well recommended by locals and ‘profesionnal’ alike. Part of the Damkring empire of quality coffeeshops, De Tweede Kamer is the first of its many shops, and also the smallest. This teensy place is about the size of my living room – with queues occasionally trailing out its doors. With ambient music seemingly from my ipod (Thievery Corporation, Nightmares on Wax) it was a seductive soundtrack right up my aisle. Dark wall panelling and psychedelic wallpaper completes the cosy and welcoming feel of this indeed very twee but serious coffeeshop. Translated in Dutch as ‘the second room’, this name alludes to to the upper house of the Dutch Parliament.

The ‘herbs’ lining the shop – worth thousands

The guys manning the shops were very friendly, knowledgeble about their wares and he even turned on their spotlight (I later understood why lighting is very dim inside) so I could take a close-up of one of their prized wares. Customers were turning up in droves and asking advice about different variety of herbs, which he tried his hardest to explain how mind-altering each were. On one, his comments were ‘it F**ked me up so bad I couldn’t ride my bicycle’…heehee.

It is a very relaxing place to just chill out and shoot the breeze – have a chat with the guys working behind the counter or just people watch the shop’s diverse customers. Middle-aged Dutch men and women who grew up with it, intrepid visitors like myself, the stoned-faced local coming in for a few grammes of the golden herb, workers from the neighbouring kebab shops…it’s amazing. And just look at the menu…I’ve seen restaurant menus smaller than this..

Yes, that was a bob marley up there…and here’s a closeup of their joint menu…

I do apologise for the quality of the photos – I was rapidly snapping them as there was a long queue forming behind me whilst the guy manning the counter was lazily chatting to me and allowing me to use his herbs as my photo props. Of course, all this was done in the name of research and www.sourrain.com does not condone the use of illegal drugs . And oh, their espresso is very delish as well.

De Tweede Kamer
Heisteeg 6. Amsterdam (Spui tram stop)
Tel. +31 (0)20-4222236.
Opening hours. Sunday – Thursday 10am – 1am

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