Summer is here and what better way to spend it than enjoying a few sunny days in the city of Amsterdam. Either because you love city-trips, you're travelling by Interrail or are just passing through on your way to the beautiful beaches of the Northern Sea.
And once you're there, you might wanna take a peak in one of those Coffeeshops, Mokum is famous for.
Contrary to the opinion of most of the tourists, the legal situation in the Netherlands regarding Cannabis is dubious, a grey area, at best. While Coffeeshops are allowed to sell Cannabis products within certain parameters, it's illegal for the shops to grow weed themselves so they have to buy their stock on the black market, which leads to a lot of problems coming from that, but that's not the topic I'm going to write about here.
For you, it's legal to carry around up to 5grams of Cannabis products and smoke in private or Coffeeshops. Smoking outside is basically illegal, but as long as you behave and are not trying to make a show in front of children, nobody cares. Just use your common-sense.
That being said: To ensure you a great time in town I decided to give you a quick overview of some of Amsterdam's pearls that are most respected by locals who really know their stuff.
It way too easy to get totally ripped off in some shady tourist traps with low quality, underweight but overprized and contaminated products or bumping through the door of some mafia-run hole.
You might carry one of those typical travel guides, recommending all kinds of shops without having the slightest clue. If they even mention a shop like i.e. "Grasshopper", throw them into the next trash-bin!
I will mainly focus on shops that are still located in or around the center, offer great quality (for Amsterdam standards), reasonable prices and have great and helpful staff which usually is one of the main criteria for myself. I simply hate a bright, nice day being ruined by some unfriendly, pushy guy who wants to sell shit, shouts at customers and tries to shortchange everyone and his dog whenever he can. (Yes, sadly that's kind of daily business in most of those shops.)
Long story, short. Here's my Top-5
(notice, the videos aren't made by me but taken from YT to give you a basic impression of some of the shops)
1. Utopia (Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 132)
A small shop run by amazing people who really, really care about their weed and hash and truly know what they are selling and are glad to be of help, let you take your time and talk you through the menu, in case you need recommendations.
Pricewise the products are on the upper side of the scale, mainly due to the location but are still fair for what you get. While the interior isn't that great, you'll find a wild mix of tourists and locals there and the vibe is extremely friendly.
Sadly, there's a high chance it has to close down by the end of 2016, due to new regulations regarding a nearby school. Go there as long as you can!
2. Club Media (Gerard Doustraat 83-85)
Club Media is found near the world-famous Albert Cuyp-Market, so in case you are in the area this Coffeeshop is a great place to hang around. Great quality, prices are often 2-3€/g lower than in the center while the quality usually is at a very high-standard.
The interior is nice, modern and bright but you have to buy weed at the counter to be buzzed through a glass-door that allows you to enter the bar and seating area. There you'll mainly find locals drinking coffe, reading newspapers and hang out for a nice chat. Generally a friendly atmosphere which often already starts outside at the counter where you're greeted and advised by smiling budtenders.
Sometimes they are a bit picky who they allow into the shop. So, in case you're a loud, chanting crowd of 10 drunken males, it might be the wrong place wanting to hang out.
3. Voyagers (Geldersekade 2)
Just across the street from "Amsterdam Centraal" station. While the shop looks a bit run-down, it serves some of the best bud in the city and has some cheap, clean(!), low-standard hotel rooms attached in the house next to it.
VERY strict controls. No ID – no service!
For most customers, it's a buy-and-fly shop where they get their gear and go elsewhere to smoke. A lot of them visit the nearby "Cafe Batavia", which offers excellent food and beer as well as a smoking area downstairs where consuming Cannabis is allowed.
4. Kadinsky (1st: Zoutsteeg 14; 2nd: Rosmarijnsteeg 9)
Kadinsky has two shops. One directly in the center around the Damrak square, and one a bit outside towards the Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market). Both shops are quite small and actually have not the best atmosphere if you're over-sensitive.
The one in the center often plays quite loud music and is way more touristy, so the budtenders might lean a bit towards the unfriendly side sometimes. The quality and price of the products is great and Kadinsky is famous for their import hashish.
They offer an amazing 20% discount, if you buy 5grams at once.
The one at Rosmarijnsteeg is usually way more relaxed and friendly, so you might want to go there.
5. Paradox (1e Bloemdwarsstraat 2)
Located next to the Anne Frank Huis, you'll find the refurbished Paradox that is mainly visited by locals for the good quaility, relatively low price and a very helpful owner who loves to talk with his customers and takes his time to explain what he has on offer. Very good place to relax from a long walk.
The weed-cake is the strongest you'll find in the Dam and tastes great, but be advised to not eat too much! Half is usually enough for the average person. ;)
Honorable mentions:
- 1e Hulp: Main focus are locals and good priced products. Very relaxed atmosphere and people love to hang around, playing chess and have a nice chat. Great cat! ;)
- Boerejongens: Two shops, the one in the center is run to look like an American Cannabis dispensary. Quite low prices for relatively good quality.
- Barney's Lounge: Definitively orientated towards tourists and overpriced, but basically good quality. If you have to visit one of the well-known "mainstream" shops, Barney's is one of those that is okay. ;)
Its sister shop Amnesia is still the better choice though, most of the time.
- Tweede Kamer: small shop, great Rifman hashish.
- Solo: nice, small, local.
- Easy Times: spacey, good if you're in a bigger group, loud music, nice staff.
- Pablow Picasso: cosy, locals shop to have a cup of coffee, low prices, more "old-school" weed
- Yo Yo: Proud of their organic, outdoor weed.
Some basic advice:
As said before, the law-situation in the Netherlands is strange and you're moving within a grey-market. Consider that and behave accordingly.
Always(!) bring your ID. They don't want to harass you if they ask, even if you're obviously 90years old. Shops are bound by law to ask. And since controls from authorities are strict, you don't do them any favour if you start tedious discussions. And don't even try to enter, if you're under 18. Simply don't!
Dutch people tend to appear quite cold and reserved in general, especially if you're used to American "happy-face" standards. That's basically part of their culture and not meant towards you personally.
What else is there to say, other than:
Enjoy the town, the people, the food and beer and the amazing vibe. Have a great time!