Coffee Shops, Amsterdam

One of the things we were warned about when we first arrived in Amsterdam was the Grasshopper Bars/Cafes... Supposedly catering specifically for British and American tourists (of which there are thousands, so why not?), its was labelled as very commercial. So we went to have a look...
At the end of the day, its not actually such a bad place, but it was quite commercial. Bar upstairs, coffee shop downstairs, reasonably priced... if you in Amsterdam, you may as well go, and make up your own mind.

Unique Suggestions: Don't go late. during the day its only half full (at least when we were there...

Fun Alternatives: Any other coffee shop or bar... they all sell the same thing!

So, 7 years ago in Amsterdam I had my first holiday there, it was blinding! Fantastic weed at really cheap prices. I went there last week hoping things would be the same, oh how wrong could I have been. No longer is there a massive range of weed nor are there any cheap prices. Don't expect to go out there and get some cup winner weed and pay an average price for it, there is no cup winner weed for sale just average weed and shocking prices. If you shop around you can get some nice stuff for a decent price and we still had a wicked time, just disappointed at the major change that has occured.

Right then, coffeeshops. Now when I ask for Jack Herrer, I know exactly what it should look and smell like however I hand over my money and receive something that is quite blatently not Jack Herrer. So, do you say anything or not? We chose not to say anything and not to go there again, we were a bit worried what would happen if we complained about the weed and didn't want any hassle on our holiday. So just to warn you all really, you may not get what you are expecting, probably because we're not local we get given the duff stuff. Other coffeeshops however were fine and we got the weed we expected. Just another example of the fact that you should shop around always!

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'.

Unique Suggestions: 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.

Ok, first of all, I am not an expert on the matter, at all!

But it seemed to me that most coffee shops in Amsterdam are too 'touristic'... I went only to one, in Breda, far from the hords of tourists and excited teenagers, and the only people there were locals, and, from what I was told, the 'quality' of the weed was very different from the one you find in central Amsterdam.

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!

Unique Suggestions: 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.

Fun Alternatives: 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.

Get yourself to Rookies. I go EVERY year around November and will be returning this Friday.
The Rookies is situated just off the Leidseplein (or Led Zep as one of the guys once put it to a taxi drivert!) on the road between Burger King and the Sports Cafe.
There is a pool table and a wicked atmosphere. Get the chess set out, buy a freshly squeezed OJ and roll yourself a phat one :-)
Relax.......

If you visit Leidseplein, you'll see the Bulldog next to Burger King. It's a coffeeshop, it's in a convenient place, and you'll want to visit.

Don't.

Drinks are outrageously priced at 10 EURO for a pint of beer. The herb is terrible and overpriced. Service is never met with a smile. In fact, you'll probably feel joy if you're even acknowledged.

Fun Alternatives: Instead:

Walk a little ways down Leidsestraat, look to your left, and go to a coffeeshop called The Dolphins, a coffeeshop where you're actually welcome.