Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [143]
Shopping |
Smart shops
Riding on the coat-tails of Amsterdam’s liberal policy towards cannabis are a number of what have become known as “smart shops”. Ostensibly established as outlets for “smart” drugs (memory enhancers, concentration aids, and so on), they do most of their business selling natural alternatives to hard drugs such as LSD, speed or ecstasy – as well as a variety of natural aphrodisiacs. These substitutes often have many or all of the effects of the real thing, but with greatly reduced health risks – and the added bonus of legality. Smart shops were once allowed to sell the popular alternative to LSD, magic mushrooms, which grow wild all over northern Europe. However, new legislation introduced in December 2008 has put a halt to this, partly prompted by the death of a French teenager who committed suicide after using the psychotropic drug. Smart shops now sell mushroom seeds for home growing, and truffles, which supposedly have a similar effect to mushrooms.
Conscious Dreams Kokopelli Warmoesstraat 12 (Old Centre) 020/421 7000, www.consciousdreams.nl. Magic mushrooms, aphrodisiacs, herbal remedies and psychedelic experiences at this city-centre smart shop. Daily 11am–10pm.
The Magic Mushroom Gallery Spuistraat 249 (Old Centre) 020/427 5765, www.magicmushroom.com. One of the city’s oldest smart shops, with the usual array of sexual stimulants, hallucinogens, pipes and basic drug accessories – and of course the truffles. Daily 10am–10pm.
When Nature Calls Keizersgracht 508 (Grachtengordel south) 020/330 0700, www.whennaturecalls.nl. Another shop selling cannabis products such as hemp chocolate and beer, plus seeds. At the corner of Leidsestraat. Daily 10am–10pm.
Shopping |
Shops
Shopping | Shops |
Antiques
By necessity, this is only a sample of what’s on offer – you’ll find antiques shops in every corner of Amsterdam – but there is a top-end-of-the-market concentration in the Spiegelkwartier along Nieuwe Spiegelstraat and Spiegelgracht.
Affaire D’Eau Haarlemmerdijk 150 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/422 0411. Antique bathtubs, taps, sinks and toilets, as well as lamps, mirrors and soaps. Mon–Fri 10.30am–6pm, Sat 10.30am–5pm.
Jan Beekhuizen Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 49 (Grachtengordel south) 020/626 3912, www.janbeekhuizen.nl. European pewter from the fifteenth century onwards. Daily 10am–6pm.
Jan Best Keizersgracht 357 (Grachtengordel west) 020/623 2736. Famed antique lamp shop, with some wonderfully kitsch examples. Offbeat new lamps and lights too. Corner Huidenstraat. Mon–Fri 10.30am–6pm & Sat 10.30am–5pm, Sun 1.30-5pm.
Gallery de Munt Munttoren, Muntplein 12 (Old Centre) 020/623 2271. One of the best outlets for gifts of antique delftware, pottery, hand-painted tiles and the like. Mon–Sat 9.30am–6pm, Sun 11am–6pm.
Harrie van Gennip Govert Flinckstraat 402 (De Pijp, Outer districts) 020/679 3025, www.harrievangennip.nl. A huge collection of old and antique stoves from all parts of Europe, lovingly restored and all in working order. Thurs 1–6pm & Sat 11am–4pm.
Eduard Kramer Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 64 (Grachtengordel south) 020/623 0832, www.antique-tileshop.nl. Holds a wonderful selection of Dutch tiles from the fifteenth century onwards, and operates an online ordering service. Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 1–6pm.
Thom & Lenny Nelis Keizersgracht 541 (Grachtengordel south) 020/623 1546. Medical antiques and spectacles. Just off Spiegelstraat. Thurs–Sat 11am–5pm.
Tóth Ikonen Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 68 (Grachtengordel south) 020/420 7359, www.tothikonen.com. Antique Russian icons from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century. Tues–Sat 11am–5.30pm.
Van Dreven Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 38 (Grachtengordel south) 020/428 8442, www.antique-horology.org/vandreven. Antique clocks, barometers and music boxes. Tues–Sun 10.30am–6pm.
Van Hier tot Tokio Prinsengracht 262 (Grachtengordel west) 020/428 2682, www.vanhiertottokio.com. This split-level store just south of Reestraat has a good selection of modern and antique Japanese furniture, crafts, kimonos and the like. Tues