Amsterdam Coffee Shop Guide – The Best Coffee Shops In Amsterdam

In 1973, four friends opened a ‘tea house’ where the selling and smoking of hash and weed was tolerated. It was called ‘Mellow Yellow’ and the first of the Amsterdam coffee shops was born.

That they were able to do so was because of the liberal attitudes and policies of people in high places before them. As the use of cannabis and other mind-altering drugs had increased A LOT during the late 1960s and early 1970s, Dutch authorities were already making distinctions between cannabis and other illegal substances. They were already claiming that any link between cannabis and other drugs was purely because they were also illegal. When it came to attitudes towards spliff-smoking, the Dutch were years ahead of everyone else.

The then-Minister of Health and Interior, Irene Vorink, recommended that cannabis-users should not be arrested and prosecuted for possession and sale of small amounts of cannabis. She even suggested that existing youth centres could be used as places where people could enjoy their smoke. Unbelievable, right?

Mellow Yellow Arrives!

Within a couple of years, ‘Mellow Yellow’ had become the first coffee shop to sell cannabis to its customers. A year later saw the arrival of ‘Bulldog’ that gave ‘coffee shops’ their name. The number of coffee shops increased over the years, though there has been a decline over recent years due to new legislation.

Amsterdam Coffee Shops – The Law

Despite most people thinking otherwise, cannabis is still illegal in the Netherlands. However, the Dutch distinguish between cannabis and other ‘harder’ drugs and the possession and use of small amounts of cannabis has been decriminalized. Whilst the use of cannabis is illegal but not punishable, there are rules that coffee shops have to consider.

• No advertising
• No hard drug sales on the premises
• No sales to anyone under the age of 18
• No sale of quantities greater than five grams
• No public disturbances

Buying Drugs From The Street In Amsterdam

If you are over 18, there is absolutely no reason for you to buy drugs from the street. The best quality weed and hashish is to be found in the coffee shops and you certainly do not want to be buying anything else. If you are caught buying drugs on the street, you WILL be arrested. Just, don’t.

Who Can Buy Cannabis From Coffee Shops?

Anyone, aged 18 and over, can buy cannabis from a coffee shop. It is a good idea to carry ID around with you (actually, by law you should anyway) as you will be asked if the server is unsure. Don’t try to buy if you are under 18. A coffee shop risks losing its license if it is caught selling to a minor.

Do I Need A Weed Pass In Amsterdam?

You do not need a weed pass to buy from a coffee shop. This idea was suggested a few years ago and it was decided that each municipality could decide whether to implement the ‘locals only’ law. Amsterdam, unsurprisingly, decided against it.

UPDATE 2021: Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema is pushing again for a ban on tourists using the city’s coffee shops. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2021/01/10/no-more-marijuana-for-tourists-in-amsterdam-post-coronavirus/?sh=6812acf211db

Alcohol And Weed

Years ago, you used to be able to buy a bag of weed and a pint from the same establishment. I remember hazy days in Smokey’s! These days, you are not allowed to sell alcohol and cannabis in the same establishment. There are, however, many bars that allow you to smoke your own. The Warmoestraat area has many of these bars including Hill Street Booze, Cafe Batavia and St Christopher’s.

Do I Have To Buy Weed In A Coffee Shop?

This one causes strong debates on Facebook groups. Many years ago, you did not have to buy cannabis in every coffee shop you visited. As long as you bought a beverage, you could smoke your own. My opinion is that you should still be able to do this. Any coffee shop that demands I buy drugs is off my list and I make sure I share this info on social media. Most don’t insist you buy but it is becoming an increasing trend. They simply cannot force you to buy illegal drugs if all you want is a coffee.

People argue that if you are taking a table in a coffee shop and you are just having a coffee, you are taking the seat of someone who might spend more on cannabis. But you could say that about any cafe. Am I not allowed to have a coffee because someone else might buy a coffee and a sandwich?

My idea to solve this issue would be a ‘one drink, one joint’ rule. If you don’t buy cannabis, you can still use the coffee shop for one drink and one joint. Maybe one day this idea will take hold. If so, you’re welcome.

Can I Smoke Tobacco In Coffee Shops?

Since the tobacco-smoking ban came into existence, you are not allowed to smoke tobacco in cafes, bars and restaurants. Some coffee shops have got around this by providing smoking-only areas. Some bars have also semi-ignored the ban. However, new laws are about to make things much stricter.

The Future Of Coffee Shops

Coffee shops are under constant threat of closure. It only takes one mistake and they can lose their license (as the Rokerij found out).

Coffee shops are only allowed to have a certain amount of cannabis on the premises at any one time and they are constantly needing to increase their stock. Bringing weed IN to the shop is illegal even though letting it OUT is fine so coffee shop owners are forever taking risks.

Many coffee shops were closed down when the council brought in the ‘250 metre rule’. What this meant was that coffee shops were not allowed to trade within a 250 metre radius of any school. 43 coffee shops lost their licence because of this. One coffee shop moved its door from one side of the building to another to avoid closure. Crazy.

There are now approximately 160 coffee shops in Amsterdam, compared to 400 in 1993.

Which Are The Best Coffee Shops?

This is a subjective question. Whilst there are some places that are popular amongst most toking tourists, it all comes down to what kind of vibe you are seeking and how much of a cannabis connoisseur you consider yourself to be. I used to smoke quite a lot in my younger years and enjoyed many coffee shops that are no longer with us (Stix, Rokerij, Pink Floyd, etc.) but I was never as obsessed with quality like some are today. Pretty much everything on the menu will get me high and I might get through just 2 gram bags in a 5 day trip, being more of a drinker. I’ve seen many people put a gram bag into one joint! Those days are long gone for me!

For me, the best coffee shops are less to do with the quality of the weed and more to do with the experience and the staff. Budtenders should be happy to discuss the product with you. If you are smoking for the first time, talk to them. They are usually happy to help give advice.

Best Coffee Shops In Amsterdam

These are some of the coffee shops I have visited in recent years.

1e Hulp

‘1e Hulp’ is a highly-rated coffee shop located outside the main tourist area. The attraction here is the quality of the product, with various types of weed and some great Moroccan Hash. They were the first coffee shop to sell moonrocks. Open 7 days a week, 0700 – 0100.

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Black Star

Small coffee shop in a very popular location close to the Westekerk and Anne Frank House. There’s a weird turnstile entrance which doesn’t make you feel relaxed from the start. They sell pre-bagged weed meaning you can’t be exactly sure you are getting what you paid for. On my last visit, they wouldn’t let me in because I had a backpack. Map.

Boerejongens

Three locations across the city, this is a popular coffee shop and has a good reputation for producing excellent products, possibly due to their links with Amsterdam Genetics. I visited the one on Utrectsestraat which used to be the old Stix. I got told to remove my beanie hat. Nostalgia makes me favour the old Stix but the quality of the product here is undeniable.

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Bulldog Palace

Bulldog is now a world-famous brand and there are many ‘Bulldogs’ in Amsterdam, particularly in the red light district. Bulldog Palace is the largest and located in the busy Leidseplein. It used to be a police station. These days it is a huge bar and underneath is a coffee shop meaning you can drink and smoke. Bulldog is very touristy and is not known for its quality product but I always had a decent time in there, even though I haven’t been in the place for years.

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Dolphins

Located near Leidseplein and in a very busy area, Dolphins is a nice place to chill out and relax. The bar is on the ground level and there is a room downstairs which is very decorative and you’ll see where the name comes from. Never bought from here and it is quite expensive. Reports online suggest it is not the best quality and there is an extremely rude woman works there who will kick you out as soon as you finish your drink! Other reviews tell of not been able to enter without buying a gram. I always had a pleasant time there but any coffee shop that insists you buy weed is off my list.

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Funky Monkey

Coffee shop with a nice vibe and good music. There is a pool table and a chess board. The coffee shop has an outdoor terrace that looks out onto the canal; perfect for a summer session. Close to 1e Hulp and Sound Garden bar which are also worth checking out.

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Get Down To It

Located near the busy Leidseplein, the entrance to this coffee shop is deceiving as it is just a set of stairs leading into the basement. It is actually one of the bigger coffee shops. You have to go through some security doors to get into the coffee shop. I’ve never been forced to buy weed to get in but I have heard others say this has happened. Two pool tables and a number of computers where you can print documents. Weed prices from 6 to 16 Euros.

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Green House Centrum

One of my many regular haunts when I first started visiting Amsterdam. It is a very popular place and it is not easy to get a seat. Greenhouse has won many awards for its products and these are proudly displayed, along with photos of all the celebrities that have visited.

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Kadinsky

There are now three Kadinsky coffee shops, all located in the same area of Amsterdam. The shops are small so getting a seat is difficult at busy times. They have a good reputation for hash which is justified as I have bought some of the best hash in Amsterdam from here.

Kashmir

Kashmir have two locations opposite each other on the same street. On one side is the bar where they have regular DJ events. The coffee shop is small but beautifully decorated in an Arabic style. The menu is small but there are some nice hash strains available. Great chill-out area with cushions and blankets.

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Katsu

Located in the bohemian De Pijp area, Katsu is a very popular coffee shop with locals and tourists. There is a terraced area outside which is a great place to sit and people-watch. The product is of high quality here and the menu changes regularly. A wonderfu coffee shop that loses a point only because they insisted we buy weed to have a drink (even though we were going to anyway).

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La Tertulia

One of the most unique coffee shops in the city, La Tertulia is a family-run coffee shop that opened in 1983, making it one of the oldest coffee shops still in existence. It has been run by a mother and daughter for years. The daughter is now around the same age as the mother was when I first visited!

From its hand-painted outside walls to the beautiful indoor garden, La Tertulia provides a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. The quality of the menu is also good. A must visit.

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Original Dampkring

Located just a couple of minutes from the floating flower market, the original Dampkring (the atmosphere in English) is known for being the setting for a scene in Ocean’s 12 with Matt Dillon, George Clooney, Robbie Coltrane and Brad Pitt. Whether they sampled any of the goods on the big menu is unknown. It also used to be the home of Bowie the cat who has now sadly passed away.

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Rookies

Rookies has been around for 20 years. I stayed at the hotel above the coffee shop in its early days and it has been the first coffee I shop I visit ever since. A recent refurb has made it more spacious and airy. I have never been told I had to buy weed to stay here. They are more than happy for customers to smoke their own as long as they purchase drinks. As it should be. The product is very good  as is the coffee. They also play great music and have a huge spotify playlist. There are a few seats outside which is great in the summer. My favourite coffee shop by far.

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Smokey’s

Smokey’s does not have the best reputation amongst serious smokers and I haven’t been in the place for many years. When I was last in, you could buy alcohol and cannabis so it was a good place for a session and a few games of pool. Nowadays, there are two Smokey’s on the same street; one is a coffee shop and the other a bar/club. The security on the door is a bit off-putting and doesn’t create the friendliest of atmospheres. The product is expensive, the music is tacky and loud and it is a bit of a tourist trap.

Voyagers

Voyagers is located near the red light district and is many stoners’ first stop upon arrival as it is very close to Central Station. However, this place is not popular just because of its location. The quality is very good here. The menu is small but the emphasis is on quality, not quantity. The coffee shop itself is small so you might want to buy here then go to any of the smoke-friendly bars in the area. Above the coffee shop is a hotel.

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Yo-Yo

A unique coffee shop and art gallery combination. Small menu of old classics but you can buy 5 and 10 Euro bags. Nice, clean and modern decor and very friendly staff. Not your usual coffee shop experience.

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Further Information

For further information about Amsterdam coffeeshops, check out the fantastic website https://amsterdamcoffeeshops.com/