SUMMAGOLD

Anyone been to Casa Rossa or the like in Amsterdam? We will be there New Year's weekend, was wondering if I need to make reservations or just buy tix at the door. No sense in being modest, this is Amsterdam afterall!

hetismij

Not sure if Casa Rosso is still open. It was threatened with closure and the website doesn't seem to work.

PalenQ

This is, or was, the glitzy live sex show on the canal on the edge of the Redlight District? Where touts out front parotted "live fxxxy fxxxy"

PalenQ

(Starting in late 2007 the city began cracking down on many sex-related businesses and closing down RLD windows as part of a 10-year plan to clean the area up, so there’s no telling how long the current hands-off situation will carry on.)

this from a website talking about redlight district places like Casa Rossa

The Mayor has launched the program to clean up and out eventually the Redlight District as we know it - brash and brazen - perhaps Casa Rossa was one of the first casualties?

hetismij

It was still going this summer, unlike Yab Yum which was an early casualty - the owner got a very nice pay-off from the council but is still whingeing away about it btw.
It's Casa RossO I think not RossA.
Casa Rossa is a brothel elsewhere in NL.

PalenQ

May God come down and smit Holland - the Sodam and Gomorrah of the world and knock down the dykes and flood the whole cesspool or immorality

hetismij

Hmm, I'd better move up the hill then, as my house is under sea level.

Ida101

Well Palenq.. the thing is the dutch MADE land from the sea and know how to keep the land dry.!!!
And RLD or Cassa Rosso exist because there are still men who seem to go there...
(as in mnany cities wordlwide only sometimes in more hidden places.)

hetismij

Well put Ida!

Pal don't forget all the cat houses stuck out in the desert in Nevada. Those poor women are just as abused as anyone in the RLD, possibly more so since they are kept virtual prisoners miles from anywhere.

Sorry Summagold, we seem to be getting off topic here (but hey this is Fodors where that happens all the time). As I said the website is down, so maybe it is no longer open.

PalenQ

Well as explained to me by a hotel owner last year that the Mayor is bent on getting rid of the RLD because of gang and corrupt folk controlling the business and the influx of ladies from Eastern Europe who were being exploited.

I am all in favor of legalizing prostitution and also policing it so exploitation cannot happen.

Hopefully Amsterdam's unique RedLight District can survive in some fashion - it's been there how many centuries - probably since the first sailors came into the Port of Amsterdamned.

SUMMAGOLD

So Casa Rosso is closed. Any others like it still open? No more girls blowing kisses in neon windows? I cant imagine Amsterdam without it....

karameli

I was in Amsterdam two weeks ago -- Casa Rosso still seemed to be alive and kicking, along with the Banana Bar, several other live shows, and of course the infamous "window shopping." The RLD didn't show any signs of turning stodgy

SUMMAGOLD

karameli, thanks so much for the update on the RLD! it gives us something to look forward to.

ruechapon

The RLD is shrinking but all the places you want to go to are still up and running. PalenQ....let's see, how to put this: you are a fool.

PalenQ

rue - please explain why i am a fool to you - seriously i do not know what points above are foolish?

Or did my satire totally go over your head?

hetismij

Not really on topic but just so you know Pal - paddos are banned in all forms from December 1st. One less exciting experience in Amsterdam for foreign youth (and not so youthful).
If the CDA get their way coffee shops will be next

PalenQ

thanks for that news and i am not surprised by that - was incredible to me that very strong psychedelic mushrooms could be legally sold in shops.

What is CDC? CDC means what?

I cannot see coffeeshops being illegal as it would just push it back on the street it seems. I can see banning foreigners from them but i think that violates EU law.

keep me posted, thanks

Tot Ziens - will be back in Amsterdamned in February next i hope.

hetismij

CDA=Christen-Democratisch Appèl, one of the political parties which forms the current coalition government. they are backed in their coffee shop view by the smallest coalition party, CU, also a Christian one (but then even more so). PvdA, the Labour party wants to keep them.
Some border towns have closed down all their coffee shops because of the Belgian and French youth causing problems.
It has been suggested that one should be placed at the big service area on the A27 on the border with Belgium, so it doesn't cause problems in town. Though thought of all those stoned youths heading back on that motorway (my way out of the country if I want to get to the UK or France) is frightening! Luckily the police now have drugs test as well as alcohol tests they can use on drivers.

PalenQ

My French son says there are also highway gangs in Belgium just over the border who target French kids going to Maastricht - who know they have some money going and simply act as pirates on the road. One of his friends was victimized by them a few years back.

PalenQ

Hetismij has just informed me that she will be willing to beat the Dec 1 law about shrooms and send them to anyone who wants them.

Right Hetismij - where should we send the money? Maybe you could get a bulk rate on paddos and charge us regular price and make a tidy sum?