Amsterdam by Night (1995 Channel 4 Documentary)

[avfc-herbalist]

Just come across this little documentary on YouTube.

Part 1
https://youtu.be/nTxZx56atwg?si=_xieCTZGNlp1kUD5
Part 2
https://youtu.be/272K7ZURCRc?si=S81q1jqH9hlyd_Jh
Part 3
https://youtu.be/1oAqGosRGJ0?si=DYBowGNVxirE57La
Part 4
https://youtu.be/N7xVOenNQ_I?si=mcFX_Rx0GsDwUlMM

Amsterdam by Night aired on the 4th March 1995 on Channel 4 during their "Pot Night". Scottish comedian Bruce Morton tours the dope cafes of Amsterdam.

It's set in Lucky Mothers, Black Star, The Grasshopper and he also walks in to Coffeeshop Sheeba. (Any others?).

Around 2 minutes 20 seconds there's a kid sat in Lucky Mothers Coffeeshop. He's just chilling at the counter as she's describing sensi & space cakes.

Screenshot_20250708_164447_YouTube.jpg

I was genuinely shocked . So, a question to the Coffeeshop patrons of 1995 and earlier, how often did you see kids chilling with parents in Coffeeshops? The lady from Lucky Mothers says that mum's come in often with their kids at 4 minutes 30 seconds.

When did all this change? Was it when the green and white licence stickers were handed out in 1995? Is that when all the regulations came in?

Genuinely intrigued by this as it would be absolutely mental to see a kid in a Coffeeshop now

[choc0block]

Thanks for posting this, it took me back.
Over 30 years ago, wow.
I wish channel 4 would do another 'pot night' too.

[HitTheNorth]

Remember watching "Pot Night" as it aired. I was at Uni at the time, me and a few mates got a half oz of shite hash and smoked the lot
I watched this segment a few months ago online and was thrilled to see Lucky Mothers - it was one of my favourite shops from early visits, that Mother's Milk they used to do - yuym! I don't remember ever seeing any kids in there though
I think it's a lovely snapshot of the time, it roughly coincides with my first visit so brings back lots of warm, fuzzy memories.
Shows how much the scene has changed too - back then it was play chess, make a drawing, stay, chill, you are welcome. Now it's get in, give us 30 euro for a gram and get out. I miss the old days, I still love Amsterdam but I wish it was less commercialised and profit driven.
Anyway, thanks for posting, it's always good to watch this

[HitTheNorth]

One of the comments says part of it was filmed in Positronics? Was that not a seed company rather than a coffeeshop? I never visited so can't confirm.
Can anyone ID where he is at 4.45 in part three, budtender with long hair, looks like it may be on Warmoestraat or a similar narrowish street?

[avfc-herbalist]

Remember watching "Pot Night" as it aired. I was at Uni at the time, me and a few mates got a half oz of shite hash and smoked the lot
I watched this segment a few months ago online and was thrilled to see Lucky Mothers - it was one of my favourite shops from early visits, that Mother's Milk they used to do - yuym! I don't remember ever seeing any kids in there though
I think it's a lovely snapshot of the time, it roughly coincides with my first visit so brings back lots of warm, fuzzy memories.
Shows how much the scene has changed too - back then it was play chess, make a drawing, stay, chill, you are welcome. Now it's get in, give us 30 euro for a gram and get out. I miss the old days, I still love Amsterdam but I wish it was less commercialised and profit driven.
Anyway, thanks for posting, it's always good to watch this

How very true HTN! Listening to how she talks in Lucky Mothers it really did seem a more laid back atmosphere back then. Like what you said, do a drawing or play drafts and chess etc. That's why I love Paradox. Still that sort of vibe.

The whole of Pot Night is on YouTube, if you want a blast from the past! I watched Lilly Savage make hash brownies earlier

I did a little more research on Lucky Mothers and found a photo which is apparently of their basement which might bring back more nostalgic memories for you mate.

LuckyMothers.gif

One of the comments says part of it was filmed in Positronics? Was that not a seed company rather than a coffeeshop? I never visited so can't confirm.
Can anyone ID where he is at 4.45 in part three, budtender with long hair, looks like it may be on Warmoestraat or a similar narrowish street?

Yeah, Positronics was Wernard Bruining's grow shop. It was the first grow shop in Amsterdam and opened in 1985.

The budtender with the long hair, is that Coffeeshop Sheeba? I never went in Sheeba before it shut in 2014(?). It does show him walk in there but I've no idea to be fair. Sheeba was located on Warmoestraat which does tally up to your thoughts about it being a Coffeeshop on Warmoestraat.

Off topic, but how long till your trip HTN? Buzzing for you mate!

[HitTheNorth]

Thanks @avfc-herbalist

That photo does indeed bring back memories, I remember the basement well. I just miss that whole vibe so much and Lucky Mothers summed it all up for me back then. Theres so many places I went in on those first couple of trips that I can't remember the name of but LM always stood out. Did you ever visit it? It was a gem.

Looking at the part where Bruce walks into Sheeba at around 3m50, you can see the windows are plain with the logo large and centre, but the interior of the bit i was on about has a different window style - lots of smaller squares. He does walk past a shop at 2m20 with the same style of window, it has a bright pink sign but I can't make it out. I'm not sure it's the same shop though, on the interior shots you can see the windows have different coloured glass but the exterior with the pink sign I can't make out any coloured glass, although admittedly it's quite hard to see details.

I'm back over 2 weeks today. I get married on the Friday, chill on Saturday and then get the early flight over to Mokum on the Sunday. I think Mrs HTN is more excited than me atm! Thanks mate, I'm sure I'll be posting my adventures as usual

[avfc-herbalist]

Thanks @avfc-herbalist

That photo does indeed bring back memories, I remember the basement well. I just miss that whole vibe so much and Lucky Mothers summed it all up for me back then. Theres so many places I went in on those first couple of trips that I can't remember the name of but LM always stood out. Did you ever visit it? It was a gem.

Looking at the part where Bruce walks into Sheeba at around 3m50, you can see the windows are plain with the logo large and centre, but the interior of the bit i was on about has a different window style - lots of smaller squares. He does walk past a shop at 2m20 with the same style of window, it has a bright pink sign but I can't make it out. I'm not sure it's the same shop though, on the interior shots you can see the windows have different coloured glass but the exterior with the pink sign I can't make out any coloured glass, although admittedly it's quite hard to see details.

I'm back over 2 weeks today. I get married on the Friday, chill on Saturday and then get the early flight over to Mokum on the Sunday. I think Mrs HTN is more excited than me atm! Thanks mate, I'm sure I'll be posting my adventures as usual

It looks like such a nice coffeeshop so I can see why you have such fond memories of it, lovely view of the Keizersgracht. No, unfortunately not. My first trip to Amsterdam was in 2013. Missed out on the really good days, that's why I love the history of it all. I did get to see Warmoestraat before it's demise, but only just! Any coffeeshops from your first few trips you can remember? I'd love to see/read about them in the directory.

Interesting, I shall have another watch and see if I can find any photo's in the directory that match that window style. Coffeeshop Speak Easy had windows like that before it shut and moved to El Yamama. But it can't be that as that'd be such a random coffeeshop for Bruce to have gone in.

Wish you all the best for your wedding HitTheNorth. Hope you have a wonderful day and you and Mrs HitTheNorth enjoy your time in Dam oh, and definitely do post about your adventures mate

[HitTheNorth]

Thanks @avfc-herbalist

That photo does indeed bring back memories, I remember the basement well. I just miss that whole vibe so much and Lucky Mothers summed it all up for me back then. Theres so many places I went in on those first couple of trips that I can't remember the name of but LM always stood out. Did you ever visit it? It was a gem.

Looking at the part where Bruce walks into Sheeba at around 3m50, you can see the windows are plain with the logo large and centre, but the interior of the bit i was on about has a different window style - lots of smaller squares. He does walk past a shop at 2m20 with the same style of window, it has a bright pink sign but I can't make it out. I'm not sure it's the same shop though, on the interior shots you can see the windows have different coloured glass but the exterior with the pink sign I can't make out any coloured glass, although admittedly it's quite hard to see details.

I'm back over 2 weeks today. I get married on the Friday, chill on Saturday and then get the early flight over to Mokum on the Sunday. I think Mrs HTN is more excited than me atm! Thanks mate, I'm sure I'll be posting my adventures as usual

It looks like such a nice coffeeshop so I can see why you have such fond memories of it, lovely view of the Keizersgracht. No, unfortunately not. My first trip to Amsterdam was in 2013. Missed out on the really good days, that's why I love the history of it all. I did get to see Warmoestraat before it's demise, but only just! Any coffeeshops from your first few trips you can remember? I'd love to see/read about them in the directory.

Interesting, I shall have another watch and see if I can find any photo's in the directory that match that window style. Coffeeshop Speak Easy had windows like that before it shut and moved to El Yamama. But it can't be that as that'd be such a random coffeeshop for Bruce to have gone in.

Wish you all the best for your wedding HitTheNorth. Hope you have a wonderful day and you and Mrs HitTheNorth enjoy your time in Dam oh, and definitely do post about your adventures mate

Cheers buddy

I wrote a round up of my early trips here [viewtopic.php?t=36021]

There's another couple of nostalgia threads out there I think one is called Oldest Craziest Memories of Amsterdam or something similar.

I love hearing tales of the wild west days

[free_phil_spector]

I wrote a round up of my early trips here [viewtopic.php?t=36021]

...

I love hearing tales of the wild west days

Me too. I enjoyed re-reading that thread, so much that it got me reminiscing about my first time in Amsterdam so I have posted an account of it there.

Hope you're well fella.

[free_phil_spector]

Can anyone ID where he is at 4.45 in part three, budtender with long hair, looks like it may be on Warmoestraat or a similar narrowish street?

I'm pretty sure that's Freeland on Lange Niezel. Was a decent place, I went there a few times.

https://www.coffeeshopdirect.com/freeland.html

[avfc-herbalist]

Can anyone ID where he is at 4.45 in part three, budtender with long hair, looks like it may be on Warmoestraat or a similar narrowish street?

I'm pretty sure that's Freeland on Lange Niezel. Was a decent place, I went there a few times.

https://www.coffeeshopdirect.com/freeland.html

Real good shout that!

[HitTheNorth]

Can anyone ID where he is at 4.45 in part three, budtender with long hair, looks like it may be on Warmoestraat or a similar narrowish street?

I'm pretty sure that's Freeland on Lange Niezel. Was a decent place, I went there a few times.

https://www.coffeeshopdirect.com/freeland.html

Nail.
On.
Head.

Well spotted @free_phil_spector