Coffeeshops, Amsterdam

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It has been something that my husband has wanted to do for along time. Finally in 2010 we got to go to the Cannabis Cup. We actually had tickets two years ago but we left early and really didnt get to see too much of it. It is an experience but I dont think its worth it to go again. Once is enough.
First of all the tickets go up as high as 250Euro to attend the Cannabis Cup. We didnt pay that much butI would have been pretty bothered if I did. I dont think it was worth it. Two years ago the music lineup was better and probably more worth it. This year it was kind of weak and in my opinion not worth the money. Also the earlierthat you buy the tickets for the Cup the cheaper it is but you dont know who is going to perform until a month or less before it opens. By then the tickets are pricey. I also didnt like that after you puchase the tickets and you get you confirmation email thats all the communication you get from Hightimes. They dont send you follow up emails with information asto whats going on. Its pretty much up to you to search on different linksto see the music lineup and other things. We got alot of info from people we met on the street wearing their judges badges. Had we not talked to people we met we would have never known that there was a free shuttle that runs through out the day and night from near the Centraal Station to the Powerzone daily. The first time we went to the Powerzone we paid about 20 euro. I told my husband that we need to figure out the metro/bus schedule because I refuse to pay that again for one way! We were also a little disappointed when we went to the Powerzone. For some reason we thought the function would be much bigger. When we finally were able to get in after over an hour waiting to get into the Powerzone the staff was very friendly and helpful butthings were not very organized. We recieved quite a fewfree things like a t shirt, a hemp bag, map of about thirty three different coffee shops that are in the Cannabis Cup competition, a grinder, and a fewother things. With your judges pass that you wear around your neck you will be identified as a judge. Some coffee shops will give you some free samples or other goodies. Barneys on Haarlemmerstraat 102 gave away the most goodies. Not surprisingly they also were big winners. They gave away tshirts, boardshorts, free cannabis samples, stickers, etc... Other shops gave discounts on cannabis to the judges and some coffee shops did nothing but let their product speak for itself. Robs opinion was that the cannabis at Barneys wasnt the best at all. Maybe people just liked all the free stuff. Definitely a great marketing technique.
So you get a booklet that tells you where all the coffee shops in the competition are at. As a judge you have to try to go to as many of these shops as possible and sample theproduct that they have entered in the competition. On the last day of the Cannabis Cup you go back to the Powerzone and submit your vote.
In the evenings the music venue isnt at the Powerzone but at the Melkweg. This was cool because it was very close to where we were staying. This is also where the winners of the Cannabis Cup are anounced on the last day of the Cup.
You can also buy a day pass to the Cannabis Cup if you find yourself in Amsterdam during the Cup days.
Well we have done it and now I am over it. It was an experience but once is more than enough.

I have also made 7 visits to Amsterdam since 2005. I just plain love coffeeshops. I will mention a few of my favorite ones. These are the coffeeshops that I generall visit on a trip, which for me is only 2-3 days or so.

Abraxas gets a young hip crowd, but I do not feel out of place. I have had long conversations with people there on the second floor. The layout is very conducive to chatting with strangers. Often I will simply ask what they are smoking. The normalcy of the coffeeshop situation is what entices me to visit as many as I can on my trips to Amsterdam.

I like Sieberie a lot. I usually meet a couple of friends there from previous visits. I particularly like the loose teas that they have, A huge variety. Amnesia as well very close by, Grey Area I will pop by. I like the cluster effect of this area in terms of the coffeeshops, the beautiful canals and shops.

Katsu is an all time favorite. For years, I craves the Crystal Clear there. I still do, but I have found ways to procure high quality weed in any number of ways there. I usually do some shopping browsing on the way there in the Albert Cuyp market.

Central Coffeeshop. Some say they don't have great weed but this is not so. I have had their excellent cheese recently in May it was 11E a gram and on a par with the top weeds in the city. Perhaps there is a lack of ambiance as it has the feel of a busy take out bakery or somethng. Still, it's the first place you can get to off the Central Station, not Grasshopper as has been posted.

On Warmostaart, I like the whole bunch as well, Hunters, Hill St. Blues, Coin, up to Bluebird. This is a nice stroll.

Near the Waterlooplein is the Greenhouse Effect. The Waterlooplein has a very nice flea market.

Kadinsky is nice as well. I generally avoid the ones on crowded streets especially near the RLD but sometimes on a cold day especially these are nice.

I like the Rasta and Double Rasta ones mostly for the Reggae music. they have decent weed. Several along Haarlemerstradt, usually I will hit Barneys as well.

If I can fit it in, I like to get to some near the Leidesplein. there is one that is Carriben oriented, real simple and scruffy dive looking. it is right off the stop before the Leidesplein on the tram. I will try to update with the name. That area was my first place I stayed in 2005, a friends apartment for the weekend, it was beyond awesome staying in such luxury.

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Many a surprise awaits you wandering through the small and pictoresque streets of central Amsterdam. Little coffee shops or flower shops, the fascinating ....surprisingly I know the name in French: Roses trémières...which appear to grow wild in little cracks or niches around houses on the streets, horizontal rain protected bicycles...very strange, to me at least (I wonder what you would feel like in one of them ?), endless canals, nothing quite straight so that you end up running around in circles, literally, if you don't pay attention or have a map, and lastlz, a picture of a budding cyclist. They do grow into that way of life at a very early age !

A great wat to get in to amsterdam is by train! Park at the airport and jump on a train that takes you into the heart of Amsterdam. The grasshopper coffee shop was fun and the food was great on the top floor ay Avitas. If you are traveling with children take note of the pillers with lights! my kids got an eye full before I relized were we were. Have fun, but do'nt forget he rest of Holland it is beautiful>and the food is wonderful tat sines

Barney's Breakfast Bar
Haarlemmerstraat 102
1013 EW Amsterdam

Dagelijks: 7.00 - 20.00

Here you can go order the cronic of your choice, and then sit down to look at a menu! The food here is good, and while you wait for your food roll up a spliff get stoned and out comes your food.
I fell in love with that whole idea...must see place.

This picture to your left was my first purchase of cannabis and hash in Amsterdam. Man i rolled me a sticky, danky, potent spliff and lit it then began wondering the streets of Amsterdam. Unforgetable moment.

Man there ain't nothing like starting the day with a decadent chocolatey Space Cake from the DAMPKRING coffee shop. Right after having one; about an hour to forty five minutes allow the hash to set," your straight up, spaced out ". The feeling is not intense but very uplifting. After having one I remembered getting lost in Amsterdam which may I say was very interesting. It allowed me to capture allot of amazing pictures. By the way the space cake made in the DAMPKRING coffee shop was all made up of the finest ingredients made by the Dutch, believe me it is very tasty. Goes great with Dutch chocolate milk, sold at any Dutch market.

As far as coffeeshops go in Amsterdam, Grey Area is about as good as it gets. They have a small, but potent menu. If you wish to smoke in the big leagues, the Grey Area is the place to go. From the Dam, (Dam Square), walk to the Mozes en Aronstraat and continue past the famous Royal Palace. Cross and go right on the street behind the Royal Palace, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. Turn left at the first straat on your left-hand side Molsteeg. Now cross the Spuistraat, and walk straight through on Torensteeg. Cross the Singel over the bridge and enter the straat that you are facing now, the Oude Leliestraat.
You will find Grey Area on the right-hand side of the straat at Oude Leliestraat 2. Looking at the picture, the building on the corner at left is Puccini Chocolates.