Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [129]
Eating and drinking | Coffeeshops |
Smoking ban
A serious hurdle for coffeeshops was the new law introduced in July 2008, banning the smoking of tobacco in public areas, including restaurants and bars. Many of them feared closure, but the coffeeshops bounced back with creative solutions, such as selling pure weed joints (not for the faint-hearted!) or joints mixed with tobacco substitutes. Like many bars, the larger coffeeshops have also built designated smoking areas.
Another major setback was mayor Cohen’s proposal to close down coffeeshops located within 250 metres of a high school, following cities like Rotterdam and The Hague. If this law goes ahead, 43 coffeeshops, including the famous Bulldog on the Leidseplein, will have to close by December 2011.
Eating and drinking | Coffeeshops |
Old Centre
Abraxas Jonge Roelensteeg 12. Quirky mezzanine coffeeshop with spiral staircases that can prove challenging after a spliff. The hot chocolate with added hash is not for the susceptible. Daily 10am–1am.
The Bulldog Oudezijds Voorburgwal 132. The biggest and most famous of the coffeeshop chains with three Oudezijds Voorburgwal outlets at nos. 90, 132 and 218. This one is open daily 10am–1am, till 2am at weekends.
Dampkring Handboogstraat 29. Colourful coffeeshop with loud music and laid-back atmosphere, known for its good-quality hash. Daily 10am–1am.
Extase Oude Hoogstraat 2. Part of a chain run by the founder of the Hash Museum (see "Oudezijds Achterburgwal"). Considerably less chichi than the better-known coffeeshops, but a handy Red Light District standby. Daily 10am–1am.
Grasshopper Oudebrugsteeg 16. This multi-level coffeeshop, with bar, sports screen and restaurant, has tried to steal some thunder from The Bulldog over recent years, and is one of the city’s more welcoming places for visitors, although its proximity to Centraal Station means that at times it can be overwhelmed by tourists. There’s another branch – the original – at Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 59. Daily 8am–1am.
Homegrown Fantasy Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 87a. Attached to the Dutch Passion Seed Company, this sells the widest selection of marijuana in Amsterdam, most of it local, hence the name. Daily noon–11pm, till midnight at weekends.
Kadinsky Rosmarijnsteeg 9. Fairly small, but still the largest of the three branches of this small chain. Strictly accurate deals weighed out to a background of jazz dance. The chocolate chip cookies are to die for. Daily 10am–1am, till 2am at weekends.
Kadinsky
Rusland Rusland 16. One of the first Amsterdam coffeeshops, a cramped but vibrant place that’s a favourite with both dope fans and tea addicts (it has forty different kinds). A cut above the rest. Daily 10am–midnight, till 1am at weekends.
Eating and drinking | Coffeeshops |
Grachtengordel west
Amnesia Herengracht 133. Stylish and dimly lit coffeeshop with a canalside terrace. Daily 10am–1am.
La Tertulia Prinsengracht 312. Tiny corner coffeeshop, complete with indoor rockery and tinkling fountain. Much better outside, though, as it’s on a particularly fine stretch of canal. Tues–Sat 11am–7pm.
Siberië Brouwersgracht 11. Bright, modern coffeeshop set up by the former staff of Rusland and notable for having avoided the over-commercialization of the larger chains. Very relaxed, very friendly, and worth a visit whether you want to smoke or not; has a good selection of magazines as well as a chessboard. Daily 11am–11pm (Fri & Sat till midnight).
Eating and drinking | Coffeeshops |
Grachtengordel south
The Bulldog Leidseplein 15 www.bulldog.nl. The biggest and most famous of the coffeeshop chains, and a long way from its pokey Red Light District origins, the main branch of The Bulldog is here on the Leidseplein, housed in a former police station. It has a large cocktail bar, coffeeshop, juice bar and souvenir shop, all with separate entrances. It’s big and brash, not at all the place for a quiet smoke, though the dope they sell (packaged up in neat little brand-labelled bags) is reliably good. Daily 9am–1am,