Haarlem - Amsterdam Bruges and Brussels - page 236

marijuana in haarlem
Haarlem is a laid-back place for observing the Dutch approach
to recreational marijuana. The town is dotted with about a
dozen coffeeshops, where pot
is casually sold and smoked
by relaxed, noncriminal types.
These easygoing coffeeshops
are more welcoming than they
may feel—bartenders under-
stand that Yankee travelers
might be a bit out of their ele-
ment and are happy to answer
questions.
If you don't like the smell of
pot, avoid places sporting wildly
painted walls, plants in the windows, or Rastafarian yellow,
red, and green colors. The following two shops are inviting
and particularly friendly to American visitors:
The tiny 't Theehuis, which feels like a hippie teahouse,
was Haarlem's first coffeeshop (c. 1984). Along with a global
selection of pot, it has 50 different varieties of tea on the
menu, and a friendly staff. Martijn, who offers weekly menus,
is happy to roll you the €3 joint of your choice (daily 13:00-
22:00, a block off Market Square at Smedestraat 25).
High Times, with a living room ambience and loaner
bongs, offers smokers 12 varieties of joints in racks behind
the bar (neatly pre-packed in trademarked “Joint Packs,”
€3-4.50, daily 8:00-23:00, Internet access, Lange Veerstraat
47). Across the street at Crackers Pub, you can see what too
much alcohol does to people.
Gedempte Oude Gracht 54, between V&D department store and
post office).
South of Market Square
Jacobus Pieck Eetlokaal is popular with locals for its fine-value
“global cuisine,” good salads, and peaceful garden courtyard. The
Oriental Peak Salad is a perennial favorite, and the dish of the
day ( dagschotel, €12) always sells out (great €6 sandwiches at lunch,
Tue-Sat 10:00-22:00, closed Sun-Mon, cash only, Warmoesstraat
18, behind church, tel. [phone]).
Friethuis de V laminck is your best bet for a cone of old-
fashioned, fresh Flemish-style fries (€2, daily 11:00-18:30,
Warmoesstraat 3, behind church, tel. [phone]). Winnie offers
a dazzling array of sauces. With his help, you can be adventurous.
Pizzeria-Ristorante Ve ne z i a , run for 10 years by the same
Italian family from Bari, is the place to go for pizza or pasta (€8-10