Coffeeshop recommendation
#21
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 46
An earlier response mentioned going earlier in the day for a less rowdy crowd. I would also say that Monday through Wednesday has way less smokers in the shops. Some of the shops mentioned are quite small- 30 customers and they are full. Going non rush hour will increase the odds dramatically that you will get a seat or table. Of the shops named in the original post I'd say Siberie daytime is the most older crowd friendly.
#22
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,204
We went to a coffee show, but I can't remember the name 
. We're in our fifties and felt very comfortable--seems there's less of a generation gap in Holland than in the U.S.. I was afraid of getting lost getting back to our room, so we bought some "cake" and ate it in our room once we got back. I think the name was something like Blue....? I'll try to find it--it was very nice and comfortable.
. We're in our fifties and felt very comfortable--seems there's less of a generation gap in Holland than in the U.S.. I was afraid of getting lost getting back to our room, so we bought some "cake" and ate it in our room once we got back. I think the name was something like Blue....? I'll try to find it--it was very nice and comfortable.
#24
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 90,965
Honestly, to me the Bulldog looked not interesting, I didn't go in, too touristy or hussle bussle or something. There are many more 'mellow' easy kind of places all over. As I suggested get a good list from a guidebook or website... better yet just keep your eyes open as you wander in your neighborhood. You can spot the coffeeshops.
Baked goods are a nice option because they are more discrete and you can have a nibble while you take in the town, visit a park, or head back to your room and kick back.
Baked goods are a nice option because they are more discrete and you can have a nibble while you take in the town, visit a park, or head back to your room and kick back.
#25
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,691
I must agree with Suze about the Bulldog. It's a chain, with 6 different shops scattered around Amsterdam. We walked in one, looked around, and walked out. It was just too touristy.
To get more of the Dutch neighborhood feeling, visit the BlueBird, as artlover suggested. In fact, it's one of our favorite coffeeshops that we regularly visit when we are in Amsterdam. My favorite spot is upstairs, at the end of the counter by the window, where I can look out at the early 17th century Zuiderkerk and adjoining tower while watching the neighborhood go by.
The BlueBird is usually one of the first places we visit (after dropping luggage at the hotel) when we're coming in from the states and landing early in the morning. They open at 8:30 am, and we've found that a visit to the coffeeshop is a great way to get over jet lag. Peace, Robyn
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To get more of the Dutch neighborhood feeling, visit the BlueBird, as artlover suggested. In fact, it's one of our favorite coffeeshops that we regularly visit when we are in Amsterdam. My favorite spot is upstairs, at the end of the counter by the window, where I can look out at the early 17th century Zuiderkerk and adjoining tower while watching the neighborhood go by.
The BlueBird is usually one of the first places we visit (after dropping luggage at the hotel) when we're coming in from the states and landing early in the morning. They open at 8:30 am, and we've found that a visit to the coffeeshop is a great way to get over jet lag. Peace, Robyn
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#27
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,691
I discovered the following on the back of the BCD Info-Map, which I mentioned in an earlier post -
12 Tips for Doing it Right
1. Smoking hashish or marijuana affects your ability to concentrate, so don't smoke them at school, at work, or when you are driving a car.
2. Some kinds of hashish or marijuana are stronger then others; they have a higher THC level. An experienced smoker senses when he has had enough. He knows it is time to stop. But if you are a new smoker, you don't know when to stop. So it is important to get some reliable information first about what you are buying.
3. If you aren't experienced, it is not a good idea to combine smoking with drinking any kind of alcoholic beverages.
4. When you have space cakes, it is difficult to know how much cannabis you are eating. Before you know it, you'll have too much. So start with a small piece. It can take anywhere from fourty-five minutes to an hour and a half before you feel anything. Wait for it to take effect before you have another piece, otherwise you are sure to overdo it.
5. Sometimes smoking hashish or marijuana might not agree with you. It can lead to nausea or anxiety. Find a quiet place to relax, and eat or drink something sweet. Do not panic. In an hour, the worst of it will be over.
6. If you are taking any kind of medication, consult a doctor before you smoke hashish or marijuana. Never smoke them if you are pregnant.
7. When you smoke hashish or marijuana, substances (tar and carbon monoxide) are released that are harmful to the health.
8. Be aware that if you smoke cannabis mixed with tobacco, you are also smoking tobacco. Nicotine is addictive.
9. Do not buy hashish or marijuana on the street. Look for a good coffeeshop.
10. Do not take any hashish or marijuana with you when you go abroad.
(Leidsepleinbeheer b.v. had this information drawn up for coffeeshop customers. Text: Jellinek/BCD/Adviesbureau Drugs.
Peace, Robyn>-
12 Tips for Doing it Right
1. Smoking hashish or marijuana affects your ability to concentrate, so don't smoke them at school, at work, or when you are driving a car.
2. Some kinds of hashish or marijuana are stronger then others; they have a higher THC level. An experienced smoker senses when he has had enough. He knows it is time to stop. But if you are a new smoker, you don't know when to stop. So it is important to get some reliable information first about what you are buying.
3. If you aren't experienced, it is not a good idea to combine smoking with drinking any kind of alcoholic beverages.
4. When you have space cakes, it is difficult to know how much cannabis you are eating. Before you know it, you'll have too much. So start with a small piece. It can take anywhere from fourty-five minutes to an hour and a half before you feel anything. Wait for it to take effect before you have another piece, otherwise you are sure to overdo it.
5. Sometimes smoking hashish or marijuana might not agree with you. It can lead to nausea or anxiety. Find a quiet place to relax, and eat or drink something sweet. Do not panic. In an hour, the worst of it will be over.
6. If you are taking any kind of medication, consult a doctor before you smoke hashish or marijuana. Never smoke them if you are pregnant.
7. When you smoke hashish or marijuana, substances (tar and carbon monoxide) are released that are harmful to the health.
8. Be aware that if you smoke cannabis mixed with tobacco, you are also smoking tobacco. Nicotine is addictive.
9. Do not buy hashish or marijuana on the street. Look for a good coffeeshop.
10. Do not take any hashish or marijuana with you when you go abroad.
(Leidsepleinbeheer b.v. had this information drawn up for coffeeshop customers. Text: Jellinek/BCD/Adviesbureau Drugs.
Peace, Robyn
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#28
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 75,991
Though there are several Bulldog coffeeshops most people see the huge Bulldog Palace on Leidesplein and refer to this as the Bulldog. This is a loud loud place appealing to college age kids. And for a coffeeshop extremely touristy - go here for the loud rock, sports satellite tv and partying with pot but not to savour the unique Dutch coffeeshop, much more subdued places centering mainly on cannabis. The original Bulldog in the redlight zone is more in this model but not quite - it was one of the very first coffeeshops in Amsterdam over 25 years ago..along with Mellow Yellow and Ruslands. A fat old bulldog used to hang out here and his progencies may be seen in the Bulldog Palace, the flagship on the Bulldog empire, which now includes several coffeeshops. A feature of the Bulldog Palace is the huge pot plants growing in the back room by the souvenir shop...so if never seen a live huge pot plant here's your chance (Sensi Seeds and Cannabis College however have many more.)
#30
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 75,991
there's three Bulldogs in the redlight district near each other - only one, the real original one, a rather whole in the hole with a downstairs portion is at all a typical coffeeshop - the other two are fancy places. Yes the original Bulldog is a typical Dutch coffeeshop.
