| Coffee Shops tips and photos posted by real travelers and Amsterdam locals. • 11 Photos
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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! Leave a Comment
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 Outside one of the Bulldog's by Richard_Townend
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. Leave a Comment
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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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 One of the locations near
the RLD by TrekknHil
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. Leave a Comment
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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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 Be careful, or you won't see
straight! by guell
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. Leave a Comment
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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) Leave a Comment
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 weedplant by JenniferG
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. Leave a Comment
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 The Grasshopper Coffeeshop by BlueBerry_7
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. Leave a Comment
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 Bulldog Leidesplein by BlueBerry_7
Damkring or the Noon coffeeshops, also De kuil, all great places. Leave a Comment
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