Pink Floyd Coffeeshop, Amsterdam

I am not long back from a very tiring trip to Amsterdam. For me one of my favourite (must do) rest stops is the Pink Floyd Coffeeshop, for several reasons.

Formost I am a Pink Floyd fan and the way they have done the decor has to be seen. On every wall is a hand painted scene either from an album cover or the Wall. if you go to www.pinkfloyd.nl you can see for yourself. Or Email me and as usual and I will oblige. lol.

Opened in 1989 its not one of the oldest Coffeshops in Amsterdam but it's style and friendliness that has made it a legend amongst regulars. Graham an ex-pat who has worked there for as long as I can remember always manages a laugh even under pressure, pre-rolling joints and selling Mother's finest (a house special), clearing tables and sweeping...but the job has certain perks and had I been able bodied and a bit braver I would do the same (did for a while but got homesick)

Pink Floyd is what you might call an end terrace so the front and left side of the shop lets in light, a bit of a novelty where Amsterdam Coffeeshops are concerned, although it does have the long and narrow Amsterdam style. There is room upstairs to stretch your legs and if you ask they will probably put a video on the upstairs screen for you.

Another bonus is the three internet terminals (pay as you go), one Euro gets you about 20 mins on the net. Just enough time to collect the post, but I usually feed a few coins in and spend a bit of time surfing or reading and rating on Ciao. My other half Jo (Madamejojo) has a habit of doing the same, so some of the times we have been dropping comments from Amsterdam, smoking and drinking Coffee mit slagroom (cream) and in my case doing a bit of reasearch. Listening to Momentary Lapse Of Reason or maybe Division Bell, Final Cut is a bit heavy for me sometimes.

The food is good too, not too many coffeeshops actually serve food but in Pink floyd there is a range of munchies from Toasties (ham and cheese for me) and rolls through to cakes or even space-cake (made with hash) for those of you who dont smoke.

Dont be surprised to see people playing games in here either there are several. Boardgames are common in a lot of places. I have on more than one occasion had to get the Monopoly bank moved so I can skin up. I actually can roll a perfect three skin cone with one hand, it certainly drops a few jaws.

When all is said and done it warms my heart every time I walk through the door. before you start wondering about prices ALL the Coffee shops sell the same 10 Euro bags (or multiples thereof) and its hard to spot any difference in the different types of Skunk or in the ammounts but Mother's Finest will blow your hat off, I smoked one of the pre-rolled ones they sell (although officially its now frowned upon) and walking back to the hotel it was bloody freezing, my walking slowly became more erratic, I probably looked like an emissary from the Ministry of funny walks and I was glad to get into my room and order a pizza on room service.

One more thing before I end this if you do have any cannabis while in Amsterdam and then go home and drive you are breaking the law. Any trace amount from up to six months before can be used as an excuse to revoke your licence. I have now given up, even though it was helping me through the worst of my rehab (after my brain heamorrage), as I intend to re-aply for my driving licence and want to do it right.I will go back to Dam though. Maybe we could have a Ciao meet there one day in the future.........

By the way the Address is Haarlemmerstraat 44 (get a map). Its not too far from the station so no need for a tram.Thanks for the read.

MIKE