We were in the Internet Cafe (Martelaarsgracht 11) recently, we're saddened by its declining condition---only three computers left downstairs, upstairs closed. This time we elected to speak to them about it and see what the story was. It was explained to us, that due to a law passed sometime in 2000-2001, a law forbidding the mixing of alcohol and computers, which was being enforced finally, they were on the verge of shutting down, or going out of the internet cafe business entirely, or becoming simply a bar. They hadn't decided yet which course to follow. A further complication is that Heineken owns the premises and they are required by that lease to serve alcohol. Apparently the offering of wireless access is not included in the law, so you can continue to bring your own for the time being. Further we have heard separately that an establishment can continue to offer a maximum of 3 computers, but they seemed not interested in pursuing this. This does allow the various coffeeshops to continue offering access---for the time being.

This is all a great pity, as once upon a time, briefly, there was a thriving locally owned scene of several very cool "Dutch" style internet cafes, meaning stylish and well equipped, and enjoyable to be in. And alcohol. These all, except for The Internet Cafe, disappeared when impersonal multinational companies moved in, like Easyeverything (which waved around tons of money at the time), which coincidentally, as we now realize, also coincided with the passage of that very stupid law. How very convenient for those big investors. And the pickpockets that frequent those impersonal places.