Mari & Juana: Beating the stigma
Although back in the 12th century Amsterdam was just a fishing village, the current design of its flag, which includes the famous "xxx" symbol, still represents its courage, mercy and faithfulness. As Amsterdam is a leading tourism destination in Europe today, some believe the very same "xxx" stands for the red light district, where prostitution, drugs and gambling are entirely legal.
In the 1970th, as the use of cocaine was rising in Amsterdam, followed by rising crime rates, the government made a brave decision to legalize the use of soft drugs. The legalization really worked: as the crime percentage declined, the citizens of Amsterdam just lost interest in marijuana (today it is mostly consumed by tourists). Of course, following the law amendment, coffee shops started springing up like mushrooms after the rain.
More than prostitution, drugs and gambling, Amsterdam has a lot to offer. Rich with culture, history and interesting architecture, it just brings peace to mind. Every evening at 17:00 the bars are filled with a crowd of people coming straight from work for a drink just before heading home. Israel can only wish for such peace of mind.
This is why we opened Mari & Juana: Israel's first coffee shop. We want to give you a taste of the experience, allow your senses to enjoy a celebration of tastes, sounds, smells and colors.
Mari & Juana is a tapas bar on Nahalat Yitzhak offering Chef Robert Krueger's work of hands.