ZAMEN (Expocafé Zamen)

ZAMEN, also referred to as Expocafé Zamen, was located at Zamenhofstraat 150 in Amsterdam-Noord, in the Hamerkwartier. Public descriptions place the establishment in an area where hospitality, studios, and cultural initiatives coexist. The location was mentioned in several public overviews as an exhibition café and meeting place with mixed-use functionality.

There are two data points regarding the start of the business in the consulted sources. An archived Facebook post mentions October 2010 as the opening moment. A local article from March 2024 simultaneously described the café as being ten years old. These formulations do not align perfectly, but they do point to a long-term presence in Amsterdam-Noord.

Public profiles link Lana van Beelen and Marianne Verbruggen to the business. A local report states that the family business moved to Noord after the family’s Mercedes garage in De Pijp had to close due to the construction of the metro. It was also mentioned that both had experience in the hospitality industry. Elsewhere, Lana van Beelen is mentioned as the founder of Stichting Zamen and co-founder of Kunstmarkt Noord.

The concept was presented in public descriptions as a multi-functional collaborative space. The café was described as a venue for exhibitions, dining, meetings, and workshops. In another profile text, it was described as an extension of one’s living room or office. This shifted the emphasis from mere consumption to the social and cultural use of the space.

The coffee line appearing in public menus and location profiles is that of Dolce Alchemia Coffee Roasters. A local article noted that this coffee came from “around the corner.” This fits into the broader image of a business working with local suppliers, although details regarding the origin and composition of the coffee remain limited in the sources.

The evolution of the coffee offering seems visible in the sources. According to a local report, the business started with coffee served from a filter carafe. Later, the hospitality offering was expanded. A complete and current overview of brewing methods was not available in the public sources reviewed. Only cold brew coffee was explicitly mentioned as a documented preparation.

Alongside coffee, public descriptions also mentioned other drink and food options. This creates the following picture of the recorded offering:

While the sources provide insight into the assortment, they lack technical details such as recipes, specific coffee varieties, or a current brew bar. Information regarding bean origin, roast profiles per lot, or certifications was also not publicly documented in the researched material.

The cultural function of ZAMEN is prominently featured in the public descriptions. The café was described as a place where visitors could exhibit, eat, meet, and organize workshops. Local reporting also mentions musical performances, theater productions, and book launches. As a result, the location took on a role that went far beyond that of a typical coffee shop.

This pattern repeats in broader urban overviews, which highlight recurring free activities such as DJ nights, art markets, pop-up exhibitions, creative workshops, and jam sessions. Kunstmarkt Noord stands out as one of the best-documented initiatives linked to Expocafé Zamen. Publicly, this market was described as a platform for young or emerging artists, combined with open studios and workshops.

Other concrete examples from public announcements and reports include a “Painting With Coffee” workshop, a launch event for Art Collective For Peace, the “Fernweh” exhibition by Jaap Kamsma, and long-running SWAN and Open Mic activities. Together, these examples show how coffee, community, and cultural production were interwoven at this location.

Public profile texts report that the café worked with fresh ingredients from local and sustainable suppliers, specifically mentioning several names. Broodbakkerij EX and Buitengewone varkens appear in descriptions of the menu. For coffee, Dolce Alchemia was mentioned, and De Taartenkamer for carrot cake. Another publication, based on the business’s website at the time, stated that food and drinks were sourced from local businesses.

At the same time, the documentation remains general on this point. No formal sustainability goals, detailed procurement criteria, or verifiable claims regarding coffee certification were found in the provided sources. Consequently, it remains evident THAT local sourcing was a recurring element in the public presentation, but not exactly HOW that policy was implemented.

Over the years, ZAMEN gained traction in cultural and urban guides. The location was included in overviews of art and coffee in Amsterdam and in profiles of art and culture in Noord. Additionally, the establishment appeared in an art magazine as an art spot or gallery, and in articles about art cafés in Amsterdam. Local media highlighted exhibitions, Kunstmarkt Noord, and the location’s role within the neighborhood.

In the 2024 annual report of the Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst, Expocafé Zamen is listed among the locations that received Wijkimpuls support. A standalone price list for the coffee bar itself was not found in the investigated public sources. Regarding the final phase of the business, the sources provide a clear indication: a post from Open Mic Noord from September 2024 reported that Expocafé Zamen had closed, while Stichting Zamen Art & Culture continued its activities.

Based on the available data, a picture emerges of an exhibition café in Amsterdam-Noord that functioned primarily as a crossroads of coffee, community activity, and small-scale culture. The file is rich in information regarding programming and local integration, but more limited when it comes to detailed coffee content and formally recorded sustainability data.