Here at the end of Zeedijk is the Jolly Joker coffeeshop. The playful name reminds me of a fictitious pub named "the Inebriated Gremlin" from an episode of the Avengers, in both cases the names may reflect what is to become of their customers.

The Jolly Joker has maintained a good reputation as a cozy place with a modest assortment of hashish and weed for sale at reasonable prices. They have a good location overlooking the Nieuwe markt (a large market area) and the 15th century Waag: a castle-like building which functioned as a gate house and weigh station through past centuries.

Around the immediate area you will find China town, Nieuwe markt and the famous Red Light District. There has been a recent make over in much of this area as it heads toward Centraal Station. The streets along the canals are in good shape, with a lot more pedestrian traffic heading to the bars and shops along Zeedijk. The new feel makes the whole area worth poking around.

Large windows all around the Jolly Joker capture the daylight, and on days where the hanging moisture is struck by sunlight the Jolly Joker glows.

(oil on canvas 25cm x 35 cm)