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Coffee Shops, Amsterdam

The Grasshopper Coffeeshop - Amsterdam
The Grasshopper Coffeeshop
by BlueBerry_7
Coffee Shops tips and photos posted by real travelers and Amsterdam locals.
• 11 Photos
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Coffee Shops: Grasshopper coffee shop
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  • Angellore
  • Updated By Angellore on January 12, 2004
  • Amsterdam Page by Angellore
  • When you hit Dam in search of a coffeeshop you may be fooled into thinking the big coffeeshop off of DamRak is a good idea. Don't do it! Yes, the Grasshopper is well known, but for all the wrong reasons. Never has there been a bigger tourist trap. Expensive and poor quality for your money. Do yourself a favour and hunt out a different coffeeshop.

    Steal a beermat!

    De Rockerij. Take a tram or walk to the Leidsepleain, and just up the side road where McDonalds is you'll find this haven. Great interior, lots of happy people!

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    Coffee Shops: Bulldog Coffee Shops
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  • Richard_Townend
  • Updated By Richard_Townend on January 8, 2004
  • Amsterdam Page by Richard_Townend
  • Outside one of the Bulldog's - Amsterdam
    Outside one of the Bulldog's
    by Richard_Townend
    There are quite a few of the Bulldog Coffee Shop chain in Amsterdam. They are all overpriced and over commercialised. The bright trendy signs might pull in the naive uninformed tourists but they really aren't worth the money at all. Expensive and inferior quality cannabis is sold here as well as drinks at inflated prices. Also, the decor inside is nothing special. Quite dingy and unappealing. Much better to check out www.channels.nl for some great advice on the best coffee shops to go to.
    Please note that there is a Bulldog which is more orientated to alcohol and it is loud and brash. The drinks are still overpriced but the decor is much better. More like a loud bar/nightclub. It plays annoying dance music though. Not what I like to hear at the best of times, never mind in a chilled out place such as Amsterdam.

    Buy your cannabis elsewhere and use it there. Stay for no more than one drink, then leave and go somewhere decent.

    Apart from trying www.channels.nl for an extensive list, the ones I can immediately recommend from first hand experience are De Kuil, Grey Area, The Other Place, Greenhouse Effect, Baba's and Betty Boop's. There are many more though and generally the standard is pretty good.

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    Coffee Shops: Avoid like nasty hash!
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  • By ska_28 on February 7, 2007
  • Amsterdam Page by ska_28
  • Because Amsterdam is now so popular for its narco-tourism, there's been an outbreak of coffeeshops which are happy to exploit this. These are often the places which are highly decorated, in big buildings with neon lights etc. Basically, just avoid them. Although you'll see a lot of tourists going in, there's much better to be had. These places are often around the Red Light District, such as "The Bulldog" chain (said to be the McDonald's of coffeeshops by my local friend) and the two Grasshoppers. And one particularly nasty one called "La Canna" (which I believe translates as "the armpit") near Damrak. In there, they sold me a joint full of tobacco for 4euros, taking me for a tourist who wouldn't know the difference. These places are always overpriced, often sell the same low-quality weed under different names (hence a high price) and are always pushing the most expensive on you. And in the Grasshopper and La Canna you have to pay to use the bathroom!

    If you must go to one, just don't buy into everything. Don't buy the most expensive weed (cos it probably won't be any different than the cheapest), don't let them con you and just make sure you don't spend too much. But I honestly just recommend staying away. They're also likely to shortchange you.

    Go to the ones which you can imagine locals going into. Personally, I recommend Central coffeeshop (nearby to Centraal station, opposite the metro) which is great weed at a great price, Stix (there's two of these, only been to the one near Nieumarkt) and De Dampkring (purely for its selection of good weeds, but it's very crowded). Anywhere which looks like these should be fine. Also, some really good ones can be found outside of Amsterdam: Haarlem's Willie Wortel chain is renowned for being excellent and is campaigning for the legalization of cannabis in England. Really great atmosphere and good banter with the extremely attractive barmaid.

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    Coffee Shops: Any coffeeshop but this one!
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  • TrekknHil
  • Updated By TrekknHil on July 28, 2003
  • Amsterdam Page by TrekknHil
  • One of the locations near the RLD - Amsterdam
    One of the locations near
    the RLD
    by TrekknHil
    The Bulldog is the coffeeshop to head to if you are looking for only tourists. Prices are too high (high, get it) and there is no local ambiance.

    To me, it is almost as commercial as Burger King.

    If you have to go, bring your gear from somewhere else and just order a soda so you can smoke in peace.

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    Coffee Shops: Shop around!
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  • Updated By cleg on July 14, 2007
  • Amsterdam Page by cleg
  • When in Amsterdam make sure you shop around for coffeeshops, it will definately pay off. Some are double in price compared to others. The ones covered in neon lights are probably best to avoid as they are aimed at tourists and will take the mick money wise. The ones that are off the beaten track are the best. We found weed prices range from 8 euros per gram to 15 euros per gram. One placed we walked into wanted a ridiculous amount of money like 35 euros for 2 grams!! Definately a tourist trap.... We found 2 good ones called, Stix and Abraxas. Do not visit one called 'Smokeys' they're there to rip you off and have boucers on the door which is off putting to say the least. Also I have heard bad reviews about 'Bulldog'.

    At the end of the day you don't have to buy anything just because you walked in there, we left empty handed from loads of coffeeshops just because the price was shocking and we knew we could do better.

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    Coffee Shops: coffee shops-use some common sense
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  • guell
  • Updated By guell on July 24, 2003
  • Amsterdam Page by guell
  • Be careful, or you won't see straight! - Amsterdam
    Be careful, or you won't see
    straight!
    by guell
    During your visit, you might be tempted to visit a coffee shop and try the marijuana. You're not alone! On our coffee shop visit, the place had a nice crowd of people, but not many were locals. If you go, and you're not used to smoking, ask for the mildest possible, and take it slow.

    Visiting a coffee shop is quite interesting. Even if you're not into smoking, stop by and order a cup of coffee. Then ask to see the menu. Talk to the person behind the counter and ask him/her to explain to you the different blends. These people take their weed very seriously; it's like visiting a wine bar! Have your coffee, thank the person and be on your way.

    If you feel uncomfortable, then just leave. There are plenty of traditional cafes around.

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    Coffee Shops: Specify if it is Coca Cola you are looking for...
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  • By bobyn on September 8, 2004
  • Amsterdam Page by bobyn
  • Not too much of a trap I guess, but it could be embarrassing....

    If you are looking for "coke" (as I call a glass of Coca Cola), then specify this, by asking for a "glass of coke", or "a coca cola", or whatever.

    Not a big deal as such, but you may not get such a nice reception if the staff think that you are in looking for hard drugs.

    If you are any bit nervous, this may throw you off...

    Just a tip, you dont need to set this in stone (pardon the pun)

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    Coffee Shops: Coffeeshops - there is a minimum age!
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  • JenniferG
  • By JenniferG on December 9, 2003
  • Amsterdam Page by JenniferG
  • weedplant - Amsterdam
    weedplant
    by JenniferG
    Ofcourse a lot of young travellers come to Amsterdam to get stoned. But please be aware of the fact that you have to be over 18 to even be in a coffeeshop and it doesn't matter if you smoke or not. So make sure you always have an ID or a copy of it with you!! Even if you've been in the coffeeshop before.

    We have very strict policy here in Amsterdam. if coffeeshops allow people in under eighteen they risk being closed.
    The people who work in these shops see a lot of people each day. Please understand the fact that it's really difficult to guess people's age. Don't be offended if you're 22 and still being ask for your ID. It's not personal!

    Never forget to bring your ID!!! If you don't have it with you, entering the shop will probably be denied!

    If you're under eighteen let somebody who is old enough get you some stuff and smoke it elsewhere.

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    Coffee Shops: Grasshoppers
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  • BlueBerry_7
  • By BlueBerry_7 on November 8, 2002
  • Amsterdam Page by BlueBerry_7
  • The Grasshopper Coffeeshop - Amsterdam
    The Grasshopper Coffeeshop
    by BlueBerry_7
    The Grasshopper Coffeeshops

    This place sells high priced weed that is not cured properly and the staff are rude to deal with. The one directly out from Central Station is the worst, avoid at all costs!

    Go right down the street to the De Kuil and get great, perfectly cured weed at resonable prices. The staff are terrific, friendly ,and helpful.

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    Coffee Shops: Bulldog Coffeeshops
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  • BlueBerry_7
  • Updated By BlueBerry_7 on September 15, 2002
  • Amsterdam Page by BlueBerry_7
  • Bulldog Leidesplein - Amsterdam
    Bulldog Leidesplein
    by BlueBerry_7
    All Bulldog Coffeeshops are a ripoff on weed. Don't go there to buy weed/hash or to hang out unless you are into the college crowd scene. Mainly young people tend to frequent the place or unsuspecting tourists who does not know any better!

    Damkring or the Noon coffeeshops, also De kuil, all great places.

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