Amsterdam --- Coffee shop and others...

[qtrpdstick88]

So i've finally saved some money (in college) and decided to treat my self to an Amsterdam trip for spring break. I've been reading a lot on coffee shops and things to do there like the Anne Frank House, Heineken Factory, bike rides, ect. But i want to get into specifics now so i can better plan our time there... I'm sure a good number of you have ventured there or maybe even live there... so to start it off... what are your favorite coffee shops? Of course i'm going to the big ones like Greenhouse and Barney's... don't think i'll be rolling to Bulldogs b/c i heard it's just tourist crap and not worth it. Any suggestions from my fellow vaped heads?

 

[bcleez]

I would say the best plan is not to have one. We walked everywhere took the canal boat tour., hit up all the historical sites, just get lost in the city

 

[Snafu]

damn i cant find the place with the killer cakes (i am fairly certain a happy rasta lady own the place

but be on look out for space cakes

 

[qtrpdstick88]

yeah, we're planning on renting bikes and just try riding around the whole city and stopping at wherever looked interesting. I've heard many good things on the quality and potency of ice o later hash... any one else like to vouch on that? oh and i've read barney's coffee shop now has vaporizers at each table...

 

[djonkoman]

well I can't say much about coffeeshops in amsterdam(only been to amsterdam once as a kid, to artis with my dad) but I do live in the netherlands, so if you want to know anything about the netherlands in general or need a translation you can ask me
I've also heard ice-o-lator is good, but it's heavily overpriced as far as I know(I've heard prices of 30-50 euro a gram)

 

[FLskwat]

I go to Dam 3 to 5 times a year, since I'm like 16 years old...

http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/Map.html

I highly recommend:
Les Amis
Blue Bird
Barney's
GrassHopper
High Times
Easy Times
Smokey
Dampring
Amnesia (test their Amnesia Haze...I've been hooked on this strain for 2 years now...)
Happy Feelings
Kandinski

AND MAKE SURE YOU GO TO BOTH BUSHDOCTORS... that's the menus I like!




Yes go for the bike rental but be careful about city traffic prorities, when stoned: Tramway > Bikes> Walkers > Cars...

Don't have too much Hawaian Schroom Truffles / Salvia / Peyote / San Pedro etc... or for sure you'll never do half the things you have planned LOL... If you do have some though: GO TO THE VAN GOGH MUSEUM... that will be a visual trip!

Ice-O-Lator and other skuffs are expensive but 50 is much too much!
If you come from the States, I'm sure you will be willing to test the different hashs on the menus as we, in Europe, have a more easy access to very different concentrates (nepalese, Afghani, Marocco bubble/ pollen/skuff, red libanese, temple balls, double zero, caramelo, ketama...) and generally much cheaper then in the US!

Please notice that since the beginning of 2011, Coffeeshops in cities other then Dam are now forbidden for non NL residents (Maastricht, Breda etc... for example!)... SAD!

BTW: 2 unexpensive solutions for the night: the Dam Boatel and Dam central camping facilities!

 

[wilf789]

I go to Dam 3 to 5 times a year, since I'm like 16 years old...

http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/Map.html

I highly recommend:
Les Amis
Blue Bird
Barney's
GrassHopper
High Times
Easy Times
Smokey
Dampring
Amnesia (test their Amnesia Haze...I've been hooked on this strain for 2 years now...)
Happy Feelings
Kandinski

AND MAKE SURE YOU GO TO BOTH BUSHDOCTORS... that's the menus I like!

I've used that same map each time I've been as well and have never once got lost in the Dam while using it. With its canals and fairly long straight roads (in comparison to London anyway) the city is fairly easy to navigate, especially if you're from a grid-oriented American city.

As far as Coffeeshops go I'd agree you should stay away from the Bulldogs but also the GrassHopper is by far the worst-tourist-hole offender IMO. Last time I was there I really wanted to find some Cali Mist buds as I have yet to try any of that strain - finally came across some in the GrassHopper (despite being warned by several bud-tenders in other shops that it was a piece of crap) and it was 22 euros a gram. With the best buds costing no more than about 17 euros in all the other shops, combined with the shouting and screaming of swathes of English and American tourists, this quickly confirmed my worst suspicions about GrassHopper, and so I'd advise you steer well clear unless you're looking for touristy places.

The Grey Area is one of the best menus in the whole city hands down. They're a tiny little shop, with literally just two tables in, and it's a little out of the way compared to the other shops, but trust me its worth the trip! There'll usually be a queue stretching out the door and down the street so you'll be lucky to be able to sit in there, although with their selection of photographs on the wall you should definitely try to.

Also De Dampkring is always a great choice; they have usually have some really tasty hash for sale too. Would also recommend checking out the more well-known Barneys and Greenhouses, as despite their slightly more touristy reputation, they still have some of the best menus (Super Lemon Haze at Greenhouse!) in the dam without being as overpriced as the GrassHopper.

Other than that Abraxas Uptown also has a pretty nice selection, and Hill Street Blues in the Red Light District has probably the most fun atmosphere of any shop in the city, with great music blaring out all night and the fact that you can write on the walls!

Last time I went to the city was to watch the World Cup Final in the Museumplein Square with 150,000 others - truly incredible it was. What else was amazing was our 'final spliff' of the trip - each time we go we have a joint with all the different strains in we have collected during our trip.

This year's one included: Amnesia Haze, Hawaiian Snow, Chocolope, Dr Grinspoon (from Barneys - 100% Sativa - definitely a must-try!), Mexican Haze, Super Lemon Haze, Chiesel, Neville's Haze, Alaskan Ice, Jack Herer, NYC Diesel, Arjan's Ultra Haze, John Sinclair, G13 Haze, Casey Jones, Mango Haze, Carmella Melt hash, Super Afghani hash, and last but certainly not least, Ice-O-Lator hash.

Took about 45 minutes just to roll it all up (especially the Ice hash which is the most annoying stuff to break up in existence) into one massive L - about three other tables came over and asked to have a hit as they'd seen us working away with so many strains and were naturally curious!

 

[FLskwat]

I go to Dam 3 to 5 times a year, since I'm like 16 years old...

http://www.coffeeshop.freeuk.com/Map.html

I highly recommend:
Les Amis
Blue Bird
Barney's
GrassHopper
High Times
Easy Times
Smokey
Dampring
Amnesia (test their Amnesia Haze...I've been hooked on this strain for 2 years now...)
Happy Feelings
Kandinski

AND MAKE SURE YOU GO TO BOTH BUSHDOCTORS... that's the menus I like!

I've used that same map each time I've been as well and have never once got lost in the Dam while using it. With its canals and fairly long straight roads (in comparison to London anyway) the city is fairly easy to navigate, especially if you're from a grid-oriented American city.

As far as Coffeeshops go I'd agree you should stay away from the Bulldogs but also the GrassHopper is by far the worst-tourist-hole offender IMO. Last time I was there I really wanted to find some Cali Mist buds as I have yet to try any of that strain - finally came across some in the GrassHopper (despite being warned by several bud-tenders in other shops that it was a piece of crap) and it was 22 euros a gram. With the best buds costing no more than about 17 euros in all the other shops, combined with the shouting and screaming of swathes of English and American tourists, this quickly confirmed my worst suspicions about GrassHopper, and so I'd advise you steer well clear unless you're looking for touristy places.

The Grey Area is one of the best menus in the whole city hands down. They're a tiny little shop, with literally just two tables in, and it's a little out of the way compared to the other shops, but trust me its worth the trip! There'll usually be a queue stretching out the door and down the street so you'll be lucky to be able to sit in there, although with their selection of photographs on the wall you should definitely try to.

Also De Dampkring is always a great choice; they have usually have some really tasty hash for sale too. Would also recommend checking out the more well-known Barneys and Greenhouses, as despite their slightly more touristy reputation, they still have some of the best menus (Super Lemon Haze at Greenhouse!) in the dam without being as overpriced as the GrassHopper.

Other than that Abraxas Uptown also has a pretty nice selection, and Hill Street Blues in the Red Light District has probably the most fun atmosphere of any shop in the city, with great music blaring out all night and the fact that you can write on the walls!

Last time I went to the city was to watch the World Cup Final in the Museumplein Square with 150,000 others - truly incredible it was. What else was amazing was our 'final spliff' of the trip - each time we go we have a joint with all the different strains in we have collected during our trip.

This year's one included: Amnesia Haze, Hawaiian Snow, Chocolope, Dr Grinspoon (from Barneys - 100% Sativa - definitely a must-try!), Mexican Haze, Super Lemon Haze, Chiesel, Neville's Haze, Alaskan Ice, Jack Herer, NYC Diesel, Arjan's Ultra Haze, John Sinclair, G13 Haze, Casey Jones, Mango Haze, Carmella Melt hash, Super Afghani hash, and last but certainly not least, Ice-O-Lator hash.

Took about 45 minutes just to roll it all up (especially the Ice hash which is the most annoying stuff to break up in existence) into one massive L - about three other tables came over and asked to have a hit as they'd seen us working away with so many strains and were naturally curious!

GrassHopper is only on my list because it opens 1st in the morning (when you arrive at 9AM in freezing cold Dam you wanna have a toke with a hot chocolate ), while most of the coffeshops open around 11 AM. The only nice strain there is a purple lavender haze. But you are right: other then that it's crap!
You are right about Grey Area which I forgot!!!

 

[Raf007]

I think with wilf789 and FLskwat list your good !!

Barneys open at 8, and the Picasso at 7 am ( the picasso is still better than the grasshopper imo, but don't go in either one of them if you have the choice).

Avoid Anna house if you see a huge line, it's definetely not worthy.

go to the van gogh for sure.

The Humphrey's restaurant are a chain where locals go, good food and honnest prices.

Don't eat too much of their 4euro pizza slices and other munchies from cheap places or your burps will smell like your farts...except it's coming out of your mouth !

 

[djonkoman]

umm.. I've heard nothing about coffeeshops not being available to foreigners since 2011
yes there is talk of a weedcard, but it isn't introduced yet, and if it is introduced it will be first implemented in the south(so far all local governments of the involved southern cities voted against the card, but bthe minister still wants to go trough with it) but the minister doesn't want to implement an exception for amsterdam if it's implented country-wide

 

[Tuck]

I went in 2000. I'm glad that Bushdoctors is still open. It was really close to my hotel, so it was the first coffee shop I visited. They had more flavors than Baskin Robbins.

 

[FLskwat]

umm.. I've heard nothing about coffeeshops not being available to foreigners since 2011
yes there is talk of a weedcard, but it isn't introduced yet, and if it is introduced it will be first implemented in the south(so far all local governments of the involved southern cities voted against the card, but bthe minister still wants to go trough with it) but the minister doesn't want to implement an exception for amsterdam if it's implented country-wide

Djonko, I was told by a friend 2 weeks ago he was refused the entrance to the few remaining coffeshops of Maastricht... Was he bullshiting me?? It's almost a good news though!

 

[Gunky]

Tons of those coffee shops. Just look for those colors. While in Holland you must have some Indonesian food. So good there!

 

[djonkoman]

umm.. I've heard nothing about coffeeshops not being available to foreigners since 2011
yes there is talk of a weedcard, but it isn't introduced yet, and if it is introduced it will be first implemented in the south(so far all local governments of the involved southern cities voted against the card, but bthe minister still wants to go trough with it) but the minister doesn't want to implement an exception for amsterdam if it's implented country-wide

Djonko, I was told by a friend 2 weeks ago he was refused the entrance to the few remaining coffeshops of Maastricht... Was he bullshiting me?? It's almost a good news though!

well maastricht is one of the most southern cities(one of the first candidates for the card too), so since they already have problems with drugtourists for longer it could be they already implemented some sort of nationality-control or so, I've also heard of coffeeshops in some areas switching to member-only, more like cannabisclubs
on what basis was he rejected? on basis of asking for an ID-card and rejected when was clear he didn't have the dutch nationality, or was he asked for a membershipcard or so?

at least I wasn't asked for a weedcard today when I got some, so I know for sure the weedcard isn't nationally introduced(yet)
but I live in the northern part of the country so we don't have problems with tourists here

 

[Raf007]

It is or going to be implemented in cities that vote so.

So far Amsterdam's mayor is against such a law.

But it has been voted in some close to the border cities such as Maastrichet and Breda if I remember well.

Which has its cons of course, but is pros also...coz some coffeeshops were lacing their weed in these citiies.

 

[djonkoman]

no, all the cities were it is going to be implemented voted against it

it all began with the idea from the minister, then he made a deal with the mayors of the southern cities: they get a much bigger police budget if they participate in this first experiment with the card
they agreed, but now the councils of those cities all voted againdt it, and most of those mayors are actually against it too
but the inister doesn't want to stop, so he has said he is implementing it in the southern cities no matter what the local government says
so now thee are frequent newspaperarticls again with how this card is not a solution
and I don't know about lacing weed in those cities, but this card doesnt do anything about that, it is purely aimed at reducing customers, and eventually the goal is too close all coffeeshops(all 3 parties currently in the government want this, the CDA, wich has been in the previous governments as well, wants to slowly decrease coffeeshops till there are none left, this is also the reason for the 250 meter rule(no shops at 250 metres from a school), wich the mayor of amsterdam ignored btw, and now with the card this will be increased to 350 meter
also tyhe maximum amount you can buy will go from 5 grams to 3 grams
and to get such a card(when it is implemented), you have to register with your real name

and when, already a whileback, the mayor of amsterdam asked if his city could get an exception at the rule if the card was nationally implemented(since anmsterdam has so much profits from the tourists), the minister replied he will not include exceptions

 

[FLskwat]

He was refused to enter 3 main Maastricht coffeeshops when he gave his french ID (He's 35 years old, frequently going to NL for more then 15 years, is used to the new scanning process of your ID implemented 2 years ago etc...).
Djonko, I've been following closely the evolution of the political debate around this foreigner issue. And as U stated, it is not officially voted, but I can also guarantee some local southern mayors & coffeeshops owners association are already acting as if this situation was official (of course because of the drugtourism issues they have been facing for years). And the European Court stated that, when related to health issues (drugs are in this category), the circulation liberty in the EU was not valide. Therefore this legitimates further national decisions from the NL government... Bad news, to be followed!

 

[Raf007]

and I don't know about lacing weed in those cities, but this card doesnt do anything about that, it is purely aimed at reducing customers, and eventually the goal is too close all coffeeshops(all 3 parties currently in the government want this, the CDA, wich has been in the previous governments as well

Agree, but those coffeeshops that laced weed for tourists will be less tempted to do so for a population of locals.

But that's only trying to look at another angle, of course I also think such laws are stupid and only benefit the mob.

 

[djonkoman]

it will limit those shops indeed, but it will increase streetdealing around the shops and those dealers are ofcoyurse more prone to lacing then a coffeeshop

if he was rejected after showing a french ID I think that's just a measure they took locally against the drugtourism
there is still hope for our weedpolicy tough, in a while we will have elections fpr provincial government, and those choose the members of the first chamber(senate)
and since the PVV, the party supporting the minority government, is a relstively new party they didn't participate in the last pronvincial elections yet
so right now the government can get things trough the 2nd chamber with help of the PVV, but after that it has to go trough the first chamber wich is dominated by opposition now, so the coalitionparties have to get a majority this provincial elections
if they don't it will be the end of this government(since they have to debate endelessly about wevery little measure to get oppositionmembers to vote with it), and that will open the doors for a new government and maybe, hopefully, a better aproach to drugs
at least, that's what I hope for

 

[bcleez]

If you like to trip there is this candy bar Noir De Noir you can get in the smart shops. I would highly recommend it. If you get a bike lock it up or it will get stolen. Once you get to Centraal station it will blow your mind how many bikes are to the right of it. Btw there is a place right next to the bike storage thing that you can go pee right outside. Its kinda funny. Before you leave I would go to the gift shop area thing and get a punch ticket so u can hop on the metro at any stop.. tickenstraat or something i forget whats its called. it makes it easier to hop on a train when u have the big ticket when ur super high. (then you can laugh at the voice that announces what streets you are coming up on)

 

[djonkoman]

indeed don't leave a bike unlocked and if it doesn't get stolen it'll end up in the canals

 

[charliedontsurf]

Definitely don't waste your time with a trip to the heineken factory, that stuff is awful, lightstruck swill imho.

De Koningshoeven Brewery is one of only 8 trappist breweries in the world, and the only one outside of Belgium. If you can at all see or tour THAT brewery, then you'll be in the most important parcel of beer earth in-country, and I will be jealous of you for having seen it.