Best coffeeshop in Amsterdam: instructions for beginners, types and reviews

Few people visit Amsterdam for the sake of excursions and sights. The capital of the Netherlands has long been famous for its wild life. In addition to the Red Quarter (entertainment for adults), you can find less intimate fun. Coffe shop in Amsterdam is the standard route for a tourist. Some come here just for the sake of trying funny cupcakes or something more serious.

What is it?

For those who do not know, a coffee shop is an institution in Amsterdam where you can legally use narcotic substances. Throughout the country there are more than a thousand such restaurants. Previously, the city authorities put an ultimatum to the owners of coffeeshops: either alcohol or drugs. Now from drinks here you can find only cola, coffee and juice. The rest of the menu can be divided into two positions: hashish and marijuana. There is a scale and a price list on the bar.

It is also worth noting that there is a difference between co-ops and smartshops. The latter option is a store that sells medicinal herbs having a narcotic effect. To determine which coffee shop in Amsterdam is legal, you need to look at the display case. The authorities ordered to place on the window a green and white sticker, which says that the institution is legalized.

What are the institutions?

Of course, there is no official classification. But the people in the coffee shop in Amsterdam were divided into three types. The first, perhaps, the most beloved. And he's called Chill out. In such establishments a beautiful relaxing atmosphere reigns. Music is always calm. Visitors come to drink coffee and smoke. Such a coffee shop is suitable for a single person and a noisy company. Some people come here just to be silent.

The next type is "noisy" institutions. There is always a loud music of dance style. This is so that those who have smoked, could come off to the full. Most of these establishments can sell alcohol, although it is better not to use it with grass. In general, such coffeeshops are similar to any European club, but in which you legally sell hashish.

The third type is "neutral" institutions. They can not be attributed to atmospheric coffeeshops, but here it's not so noisy. Popular music plays here, and just sell drugs. You can also drink beer. Although again, the grass is better not to mix with alcohol.

Where to go?

Tourists who first came to the Netherlands, it is worth to thoroughly study the reviews about such institutions. Of course, the best coffeeshops in Amsterdam are in the center of the city. But you need to understand that there is a lot of tourists here. In addition, in central institutions you will never be able to sit and relax.

Not cozy, but popular

Those who decided to visit such a place for the first time should forget about the coffeeshop "Bulldog" (Amsterdam). This is the oldest and most popular network of establishments. It includes 5 coffee shops, a couple of ordinary restaurants and even one hotel. Of course, there is nothing to say about the quality of the product. No complaints from tourists have never been. But given the popularity of this coffeeshop, calm and atmospheric here can not wait.

Enough space

In general, finding a cozy place is not so easy in Amsterdam. Abraxas will not like everyone. Nevertheless, his location is at his disposal. It's just a couple of minutes from the main square. The size of this institution is amazing. There are already three floors, each of them has rooms. The ceilings are glass. On the top floor, the owners grow cannabis bushes. Even if you do not want to get hit by drugs, come here just to be photographed.

Atmosphere

But what a real connoisseur of coffee shops will like is Grasshopper. This institution is in the center, but does not correspond to the turmoil and huge influx of people. It's light, quiet and peaceful. In such an atypical place you want to stay longer.

"Tiny" with a reputation

Coffeeshop Gray Area is famous among tourists and residents of the city. This is a very small institution that works around the clock. The main feature of this place is the American flag and the clock, which always shows 4:20. Here you often hear American rock. But this is not the main thing. There are rumors that it is here that the best grass is sold "in the universe." This is confirmed by the feedback of tourists, and the words of local residents.

Transformation

Previously, this place was an excellent bar, selling delicious breakfasts Barney's Breakfast. Now here is a good coffeeshop, which in its title lost the word "Breakfast", just like this meal left the menu. The place is considered very popular, but also quite spacious. The atmosphere, although cozy, but bustling. Not everyone will like it. What really attracts visitors is the luxurious menu. Here you can find the most popular varieties of grass.

What options?

Tourists know that they offer Amsterdam coffee shops. The menu sometimes turns out to be completely unpredictable, because of which the beginner's eyes run out. In this case, you need to consult with the staff, so that later it would not be bad.

In the rest of the menu, you can find four positions: Joints, Weed, Hashish and Space Cakes.

• The first option is a cigarette. It is sold either in a small box or in cardboard. It can be stuffed with different mixtures, so this is also worth asking. It is best to buy a jamb without any impurities. It is much cleaner, but stronger. One such cigarette can be enough for 3-4 people, so the cost of 3-9 euros will be ridiculous for such pleasure.
• Hashish is a thing for the more experienced. A substance is produced from cannabis resin. He is very strong and for the beginner can become too "suicidal". The cost can be different, but the average is about 10 euros per gram.
• The next position in the menu is "magic" muffins. I know many about them from films. It would seem that this is the most innocuous version of the narcotic substance. It turns out that the muffin cake is a cunning thing. When you smoke this herb, the narcotic effect comes at once. But while the cupcake is digested, the head can decide that this dose is small, and the person will eat a couple more. Then the effect can be strong and unpredictable.
• The safest option is the weed on the weight. First, you can take as much as you can use yourself. The choice of varieties is very large. The fixed price ranges from 8 to 12 euros. But it is worth paying attention to the variety of grass. For this price you can get 0.5 grams of one type or 1.5 - another.

By the way, you can buy 5 grams at a time. But if you decide to relax culturally, then for a week and two grams will be a lot. Of course, if you want atmospheric conditions, it's better to visit coffeeshops in Amsterdam. Prices here are moderate, and you can hide from the weather in a cozy place. Although there is another option for entertainment.

It's against the law, but ...

As the law of the Netherlands says, you can use grass only in special establishments, that is, in coffeeshops. If you bought drugs and just want to brag about them, you can do it in public places. With yourself you can have up to 15 grams of grass.

In practice, everything turns out differently. The police turn a blind eye to the fact that tourists and locals can smoke pots right in the center of the city. Nevertheless, there are norms of decency that must be observed by those who came to Amsterdam. Coffeeshops for tourists are the first place and, in principle, the only place where you can use drugs. But if you are suddenly taken to the street, then do not smoke in children's playgrounds, public transport stops and in sleeping areas.

It is also better not to experiment outside the capital. There you really can be arrested. Well, you can not smoke in hostels, hotels and restaurants.

Instruments

Usually the coffee shop in Amsterdam is equipped with all the necessary tools that will help you to use the bought. If you decide to independently enjoy the grass, then you need to choose the way to "destroy" it.

• A practical and fast method is a cant. You can buy a ready-made cigarette or take the hemp by weight and twist it into tissue paper.
• You can use the handset. This option is suitable for real aesthetes. Tubes are wooden, metal, glass. But the problem with this method is that such use is very harmful.
• The glass bong remains also popular. Use it is simple and useful. Water filters and cools the smoke. The resin all settles on the walls of the vessel. You have to get only positive emotions.

• Well, the most advanced method is a vaporizer. This device is also harmless. He does not set fire to, but evaporates substances. Therefore, no tar and carcinogens can not be. But for such convenience it is necessary to pay, therefore the evaporator costs 100-200 euros.

What do they say?

As mentioned earlier, most tourists come only to visit coffeeshop (Amsterdam). Reviews about these institutions are always positive. This is due to the quality of the goods, and the fact that visitors try to choose places in advance. Some like a noisy atmosphere and loud music, others prefer a lounge zone and coziness.

In any case, all legal coffeeshops of Amsterdam like the extreme tourist. The prices here are moderate for narcotic substances. Many establishments have a pleasant atmosphere and courteous staff.