Abraxas
About
Abraxas Coffeeshop is located on a very thin alleyway named Jonge Roelensteeg, which sits directly south of Dam Square. It is just off the upscale shopping street of Kalverstraat, which is usually busting with tourists most afternoons. With all of the distraction to be found here, the tiny alleyway that hosts Abraxas can easily go unnoticed. Many also avoid it simply because it looks so small and unassuming. If you do pass this street by, it would be a shame, because you would have missed out on one of the most interesting, and frankly enjoyable, coffeeshops in the city.
Abraxas is a theme coffeeshop. It takes its name from the children’s book “The Little Witch”. The main characters in this classic story are a young witch and her talking raven companion, Abraxas. The Little Witch is a tale of magic and adventure. Likewise, Abraxas Coffeeshop is mystical in its style of décor. There are beautifully colorful spiraling tile mosaics on the walls. Intricate woodcarvings are throughout, which make the counters, stools, and tables appear as if they were grown directly out of trees. A myriad of tiny lights shine from overhead, reminiscent of a starry night sky. In a more contemporary sense, the Abraxas Coffeeshop theme might be compared to Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. It all just seems to “work”. Abraxas provides an ambiance and experience unlike any other in Amsterdam.
The shop itself is on two levels. One of the first things you’ll find as you walk in on the ground floor is the cannabis counter, which sits directly in front of you. Here you are presented with a (quite artistic) digital menu of their weed and hashish offerings. The menu is fairly large. There are just shy of a dozen selections on the weed side. Strains tend to be recognized old-school city favorites (think items such as White Widow, Amnesia, and Haze). There are fewer options on the hash side, but still a nice spread of imported varieties from regions such as India, Nepal, Lebanon, and Morocco. There may even be a domestic option or two.
Purchases are provided in pre-weighed and labeled bags. They also sell pre-rolled mixed and pure joints here. A little further on inside Abraxas is a larger counter, where you can purchase hot and cold beverages and snacks, or the odd souvenir (they also have a large souvenir shop next-door). There is bench and stool seating found all around this level, perfect for chilling with a joint and cappuccino, and soaking up the ambiance. If you prefer vaporizing to smoking, a pair of Volcano units can be found near the main counter.
On both ends of the shop are also tight spiral staircases. These lead up to the second floor, where you will find two connected rooms with additional seating. Long wooden benches wrap around the back walls of both. There are plenty of tables, and ample stool seating. There are also semi-transparent panels in the floors, which were are one time see-through, providing a visual connection between levels. Time may have worn these down a bit, but not the luster of this shop itself. Abraxas is a work of art, and remains high on the city's "must see" list.
This shop is featured in our 368 page Hardcover book CONNOISSEUR GUIDE: AMSTERDAM COFFEESHOPS. A MUST-HAVE for any serious visitor to the Amsterdam scene, it is the first book ever to profile all 168 coffeeshops in the city, with vivid full-color pictures, detailed descriptions, amenities, and locals/regulars recommendations for the "best of" shops in a variety of categories.
Get your copy at one of these fine shops in Amsterdam!
Siberie • De Republiek • Het Ballonnetje • Amsterdam Genetics Info Centre • De Supermarkt • LoFt • Funky Munkey • The Border
Also available through:
UK: Amazon.co.uk
USA: connoisseurguide.com
Additional Information
Contact
Jonge Roelensteeg 12-14
Centrum, Amsterdam
Features
- TV
- Vaporizer
- WiFi
Hours
Reviews
Amsterdam
Abraxas
Abraxas coffeeshop has excellent service and a truly compelling atmosphere. We find it to be one of the most unique and beautiful shops in the city. This establishment is worth a special journey.
August 2017
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Expensive, but the cheese was good.
February 2019
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