Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory Forums

Kermit wrote:Voyagers, infact I don't think of Amsterdam just voyagers, the tenders, the atmosphere, the weed, the people watching, location, that feeling of home, and the fact I don't have to question if my bud is weighed right. They will happily recommend something from other shops if they know its good, voyagers is Amsterdam for me.

This x2 perfect description

For me "the one" has changed many times for different reasons over the years. There are a few constants and I think I pretty settled on my faves now.

I first came in 2000 for my stag, cliched I know, but it started a 13 year love affair with one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited.

In 2000 I was smoking the standard Thai, Jamaican and skunk available to me in London at the time.

On this first visit we stayed in Leidseplein, a few doors from dolphins and close to Rokerij. There was about 20 of us including my old man, godfather, bank manager and lots of friends. We spent most of our time in these local shops and I have some great memories. Not least my old man placing a joint between his little and next finger and toking from the top of his balled fist exclaiming "this is how we did it in the 60's" son. Also too many sambuccas in dolphins and getting very very white. Another place that sticks is the Abraxas bar. What a great place that was. Cool music, cave like feel and you could smoke all night. Cracking place.

In the early 2000's my visits in small groups we always stayed at the crown in RLD. Our patterns consisted of buying close by, and sitting in bars like Fat City to play pool, Rokerij on single, Dampkring 1. We were smoking mostly white whidow, silver haze, nycd and bubblegum. Still didn't really know much about weed..we also visited Dread Rock every time. Another sadly missed institution.

The visits in these years, with my wife took a distinctively different path. Still staying at the crown, but in the honeymoon suite at the top - you have to make the effort with the wife. We cycled, visited galleries and markets and I really found Amsterdam as I see it now.

Shops from these trips were a different class too. We used Jolly Joker and 137. Nice more local and quiet. All very friendly and comfortable. I think my wife being carded in joker only enhanced his special place in her heart. Mostly smoking orange, herrer, lavender and bubblegum.

By the mid 2000's I was now Moore interested in what I was smoking and had found out all the many differences and finally learning the sativa, indica answers. So one was up and one more down. Ok. Different smokes for different activities and feelings.

I also found this great site and in those days smoking guide was quite good to aid my learning and reading of irregular reviews.

My visits now became solo. I work in advertising and its pretty stressful at times.. Amsterdam was a place that I could relax. Cycle round, see the city, eat locally and sit in CS reading books. Not worrying about anyone else. Total me time. Shops were now, always starting with, laughing buddah at rokerij on singel. Katsu, club media, paradox, Rusland and Dampkring 2. Barneys lounge too but more for the little table out front and pretty canal location. I also refound 137 having forgotten the name and not finding for a good 6 years.

Now in 2010's things have changed but some remain the same. Where I had gotten in the habit of starting at Rokerij on single (sadly missed by me and I'm sure others) now i always start at Voyagers. Always. Voyagers is now "the one". Now i don't spend all my time there but I always get a good amount of product from them. Trips will always also include 137, paradox, club media, Dampkring 2, barneys lounge, Rusland and the wonderful Utopia.

Sorry, such a simple question has resulted in a 13 yr mini travelogue of sorts. For those who managed to make it this far, I thank you.

^^^^^^

Spot on. Couldn't have said it better.

Nimrod wrote:and why...

location?
tradition?
gear?
service/tender?
decor?

Paradox.

Location - Beautiful area (just a 10min stroll from all the hustle and bustle of the tourist traps) with some funky shops and great restaurants near by.

Tradition - With each trip I visit other coffeeshops less and less and spend more and more time here. Always have their space cake to take away and their homemade choc chip cookies with the munchies (Too tastey to share).

Gear - Hash has always been top notch , Weed is good too, Kandy Kush and Finger Hash were the stand out smokes of my recent trip.

Service/Tender - Friendly owner and budtenders, very patient and helpful.

Decor - The re-dec is great, fresh clean feel to the place,Funky pictures on the tables,chairs and a mad Paradox cartoon strip covering one of the walls.

Feel at home in this Coffeeshop....

^^^^

Sick of doing this but I could not agree more. First stop. 1g of Thai in a pure sets me up nicely for the other goodies. Kandy Kush has always been top notch here as is the SSH. Finger Hash. and if it is out, the Turkish, are top hashes. Ludo is a top tender and will always guide the average stoner on to the good smoke.

Sailor59 wrote:^^^^

Sick of doing this but I could not agree more. First stop. 1g of Thai in a pure sets me up nicely for the other goodies. Kandy Kush has always been top notch here as is the SSH. Finger Hash. and if it is out, the Turkish, are top hashes. Ludo is a top tender and will always guide the average stoner on to the good smoke.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Going to join in

3 trips running the finger hash in particular has been superb. Add to that the Wash, SSH and Kosher being consistent winners, Ludo and the calming local atmosphere and you have one of the finest coffeeshops in Amsterdam.