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Amsterdam Coffeeshops
The following pages are for the purposes of education and information only. This should not be considered in any way to condone the use of cannabis, marijuana or other mind-altering substances.
Coffeeshops, not to be confused with cafés, have been a part of Amsterdam since the 1970s, when the Dutch government made a clear distinction in the law between 'hard' and 'soft' drugs. Unlike Amsterdam's fully legal smart shops, coffeeshops have always existed in a legal grey area. Today, Amsterdam's City Council, through agreement with the coffeeshop union Bond van Cannabis Detaillisten (BCD), allows coffeeshops to operate with the provision of set, non-transferable licences – shown by the display of an official, green and white sticker in the window.
One of the major events for coffeeshops in Amsterdam is the High Times Cannabis Cup, which takes place towards the end of November, during the week of Thanksgiving. This major smoking event usually leads to coffeeshop crawls and cannabis clouds throughout the city.
Amsterdam Drug Law
Under Dutch drug law, coffeeshops are allowed to sell a maximum of five grams of cannabis per person to their customers, providing said customers can present identification to show that they are over 18 years old. This can be quite strict in many coffeeshops, so be prepared to prove your age, even if you haven't been carded for years back home.
Other restrictions apply under Amsterdam's drug laws, such as the fact that it is not allowed to sell alcohol and cannabis products on the same premises. Since 2008 the introduction of the tobacco ban has made it illegal to smoke this dangerous substance in anyone's workplace. Pure cannabis joints may still be smoked as normal, as may bongs, pipes and joints made with the special 'herbal smoking mixtures' provided by some coffeeshops. Many coffeeshops also have a sealed 'smoking area' in order to allow customers to smoke joints containing tobacco.
No coffeeshops permit the use of hard drugs and you will find yourself ejected quite quickly should you try to test this.
The Custom
As coffeeshops are not allowed to advertise, some travellers find it confusing and are unsure what to do upon entering one for the first time. Most coffeeshops will have a weed menu, often in the form of a book on the bar, from which customers can make a selection. You will then be presented with a plastic bag with your marijuana or hash inside and are free to leave with it or smoke it on the premises. Customers are welcome to smoke their own weed in coffeeshops too, though in this case you will be expected to purchase a drink or something as a courtesy.
Keep Your Head
One very important thing to remember is that hash and marijuana available in Amsterdam's coffeeshops is likely to be much stronger than most visitors to the city are used to. It's advisable not to choose the strongest thing on the menu, as what is good for inveterate smokers could prove too much for those new to the city, and may even ruin your night.
For the same reason, it is a good idea to stay clear of pre-rolled joints and 'space cakes' if you are unsure as to your tolerance. The amount of cannabis they contain varies and can often be quite a lot. A good rule of thumb is: if you're unsure, ask the staff - they will usually be happy to offer advice and recommend something that will suit.
Coffeeshops
There are many coffeeshops in Amsterdam, and they differ as wildly in style, approach and atmosphere as any other type of establishment. Below is a sample of some of the more popular, unique or influential coffeeshops to be found in Amsterdam.
These entries are independent editorial reviews and should not be considered as advertising in any way. If you feel any information to be inappropriate, please let us know right now.
Coffeeshop The Rookies A unique coffeeshop and hotel located just off Leidseplein. Lively crowd of tourists, expats and locals, with a publike atmosphere and a large smoking lounge.Address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 145-147 Web: www.rookies.nl |
Coffeeshop Abraxas Chilled out, rambling coffeeshop with two locations in the city centre. Colourful mosaics and large couches dominate, giving Abraxas a real hippy feel.Address: Jonge Roelensteeg 12-14 Web: www.abraxas.tv |
 Coffeeshop YO YO"While ambling through the Albert Cuypmarkt, I happened upon a quaint little coffeeshop named Yo-Yo. Well lit and welcoming, the atmosphere was unlike any other shop I had visited on my 4 visits to A'dam. The staff were very friendly with more of a cafe' feeling than a coffeeshop." Thomas from Austin, Texas. Address: 2e Jan van der Heijdenstraat Near to the Albert Cuyp, Pijp quarter, Amsterdam |
Coffeeshop Pinkfloyd A pink pig marks the entrance to this warm and friendly coffeshop where Pinkfloyd music is often on play. Here you can surf the Internet while enjoying a sandwich - just short walk from the central station. Haarlemmerstraat 44 Web: www.pinkfloyd.nl |
Cafe The Dolphins Lively and smoke-friendly cafe conveniently located near to Leidsplein. Coffee, beer, all kind of drinks. Free wi-fi Internet is also available around. Thought, not selling gear anymore...Address: Kerkstraat 39 Web: www.thedolphinscafe.com |
Coffeeshop Little Very little basement club, just downstairs from the sidewalk, don't bump your head. Not a tourist place (what is also good for tourists of course!), but a quite friendly crew, stuff at little prices.Address: Vijzelgracht 47 |
Coffeeshop Mellow Yellow The first coffeeshop in Amsterdam ever, a smoking reminder of 70s, still an enjoyeable break from the packed tourist places in the centre. Address: Vijzelgracht 33 |
Coffeeshop Bulldog - Leidseplein  Closed (It has been closed in November 2008 as one of 43 coffee shops closed as being too close to schools.) Address: Leidseplein Web: www.bulldog.nl |
Coffeeshop Get Down to IT Almost at the Leidseplein, this is the Internet coffeeshop, but also has a bar and pool tables.Address: Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 77-79 |
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Coffeeshop Choice Exact |
Coffeeshop Johnny A tiny coffeeshop in the very heard of Jordaan.Address: Elandsgracht 3 |
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Coffeeshop Rokerij (Leidseplein) |
| Coffeeshop Grasshopper A spacious touristy coffeeshop just off Damrak towards red lights, with a terrace in summer, plus a bar and restaurant upstairs. Oudebrugsteeg 16 Web: www.grasshopper.nl |
| Backstage Address: Utrechtsedwarsstraat 67 |
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Ballonnetje |
| Coffeeshop Barneys Haarlemmerstraat 102 Web: www.barneys-amsterdam.com |
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Coffeeshop Betty Boop |
| Coffeeshop Blue Bird St. Antonibreestraat 71 |
| Coffeeshop Coin and The Sower Warmoestraat 37 |
| Cum Laude Coffeeshop Langebrugsteeg 7a |
| Coffeeshop Dampkring Handboogstraat 29 |
| Coffeeshop De Kuil Oudebrugsteeg 27 Web: www.cannabis-cafe.com |
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Coffeeshop Dutch Flowers |
| Coffeeshop Fatal Flower Stadhouderskade 46 |
| Coffeeshop Free Adam Oude hoogstraat 13 Web: www.freeadam.com |
| Coffeeshop Front Page Zoutsteeg 14 |
| Coffeeshop Global Chillage Kerkstraat 51 Web: www.globalchillage.com |
| Coffeeshop Greenhouse Tolstraat 91 |
| Coffeeshop Greenhouse center Oudezijds Voorburgwal 191 |
| Coffeeshop Greenhouse effect Warmoesstraat 55 |
| Coffeeshop Greenhouse II Waterlooplein 345 |
| Coffeeshop Grey Area Oude Leliestraat 2 |
| Coffeeshop Headshop Kloverniersburgwal 39 |
| Coffeeshop Homegrown Fantasy Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 87a |
| Coffeeshop Interpolm Prins Hendrikkade 11 |
| Jolly Joker Coffee Shop Nieuwmarkt 4A Phone: +31 (20) 625-1227 |
| Coffeeshop Kadinsky Rosmarijnsteeg 9 |
| Coffeeshop Kruydenhuys Keizersgracht 665 |
| Coffeeshop La Canna Nieuwendijk 123-125 |
| Coffeeshop Machu Picchu Amstel 32 |
| Coffeeshop Paradox Bloemdwarsstraat 2 |
| Coffeeshop Rusland Rusland 14-16 |
| Coffeeshop Sensemillia Zoelenkerkstraat 1 |
| Coffeeshops Siberie Brouwersgracht 11 |
| Coffeeshops Stix Utrechtstestraat 21 |
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Coffeeshops T-Boat |
| Coffeeshop The Noon Zieseniskade 22 Web: www.thenoon.net |
| Coffeeshops Tweede kamer Heisteeg 6 |
Located on a busy tourist street off the Dam square, this old-style coffeeshop is suitable also for groups who like drink beers while paying pool or table football.
Lange Leidsedwarsstraat 41