Many years before Wifi and smart phones made internet access commonplace, De Mazzelaar coffeeshop in Den Haag, made it easy to have a smoke and go online. 

Large windows and a creative mosaic interior help keep a good atmosphere in De Mazzelaar even when it is dreary and rainy outside. Many thousands of ceramic shards surround you and frame the spiritual murals and Buddhist sculptures peppered throughout the space.There are added highlights on this creative décor when there is sunlight outside. 

While sketching here one afternoon, the continuous ebb and flow of local customers kept up a pleasant measure of activity. Some settled in for a toke and a cup of coffee while others browsed online or read the paper. 

Like many local places, the emphasis on the menu is to carry a consistent offering of weed and hash and in this regard De Mazzelaar performs well. There are usually a couple of types of Moroccan hashish and a few high powered weed selections available. In addition there is usually a special weed deal being advertised. 

Resident customers will note that this is a vintage view of De Mazzelaar, before a renovation which re-positioned the front entrance and added a separate smoking area.

Google translates De Mazzelaar as "the lucky guy", and if you are fortunate enough to have a smoke at this coffeeshop you can consider yourself a "lucky guy". However another translation site suggests "lucky bastard" and in this case that sounds just about right! 

(Watercolor 75 cm x 100 cm)