Need Help Narrowing Selection Down

SilentlyScreaming · Post by **SilentlyScreaming** » Thu 26th Jul 2007 09:17 pm

So, when it comes to the individual coffee shops worth visiting, be it for weed quality, atmosphere, locality to the apartment, price or something that sets it apart from others, please do let me know. I've spent a while going through posts, both old and new, and this is a summary I've made so far.
If details are out of date, ownership has changed hands (if that has adversely effected atmosphere/weed quality or price/dodginess) please do let me know here.

This is split off from another thread, as I've started a few new threads.
The 'master' one is here.

Shops I've "narrowed" the list down to...

Prix d'amis - 2 mins from Train Station, sell in 1/2g
Grey Area - esp. for Americans - little cramped, uncomfy chairs? - take photo, see if pre-rolled are sold there (sentimental reason for wanting to visit - another forum I've belonged to for years has the same name as this place
Amnesia - milkshakes - muffins not so good - but pricey? - lost some atmosphere
Stix - Nepalese Balls there?
Rokerij
Barney's - sometimes, cafe section is smoker friendly?
Paradox
Old Church - oude kerke - top floor
Rusland - lots of space
Bushdoctor - one of them near our apartment (see master thread)
Mellow Yellow - do volcano for you?
Hunter's bar
Homegrown Fantasy - hot chocolate
Dampkring - good stuff, bad staff
Abraxas
Tweede Kamer - maybe?
Pink Floyd (Umma Gumma) - try jelly hash
AnyDay
HGF
222
Greenhouse Effect
de Kuil (420 Cafe) - operate volcano for you?
Abraxas - free internet
Carmona
The Coin?
Babas - Muffins
Route 99 - good prerolled
Popeyes - Breakfast
Spirit - table football, air hockey, pool
Dolphins - vapourisers available, comfy sofas (downstairs), nice OJ

Greenhouse (all 3)
Rookies
Central
Coffeeshop 36
Bluebird
Katsu
Route 66

So, should I concentrate on any particular ones there, or completely avoid any of them? Interested in all opinions, but especially from those that have visited any of the above in last 9/12 months.

Conversely, I've collated the following list from posts here, on where to avoid, if able to. (If I need to sit down somewhere cos my legs don't work, and I can still roll, I'll go to nearest CS, otherwise, given all the choice, I'd appreciate learning from others where to skip)

Grasshopper
La Canna
Paradise - definitely avoid
Stoners Corner
Pick up the pieces
Smokey
Double Reggae
Sensillmia
Bulldog
Rockland
Dutch Flowers
Funny People
The Noon - buy blueberry and smoke elsewhere - locals only -
Kadinsky - though one near Spui should be ok???

travelling high · Post by **travelling high** » Thu 26th Jul 2007 09:29 pm

I'd say narrow your list down to ten or so shops..And not only those you read about in high times and such..I would try places like
1.Rookies
2.mellow yellow
3.little
4.de dampkring
5.dolphins
6.prix d'ami
7.amnesia
8.stix[either one]
9.rokerij
10.bluebird
11.grey area
any maybe a couple others that strike your fancy

also you should try trefpunt they have some good 5/25 deals..
this is all subjective..you'll find places wondering around
if you can go out to haarlen and try the willie wortels out there

SilentlyScreaming · Post by **SilentlyScreaming** » Thu 26th Jul 2007 10:02 pm

travelling high wrote:I'd say narrow your list down to ten or so shops..And not only those you read about in high times and such..I would try places like
..........

Many thanks for the suggestions, duly noted.
Re. narrowing down the list, that was the purpose of this thread, I grabbed the listing from a bunch of different posts in this forum, and hoped kind people like yourself would help me to prioritise the best to the top

(Sidenote, sad but true, I've never read a High Times!)

travelling high · Post by **travelling high** » Thu 26th Jul 2007 10:09 pm

(Sidenote, sad but true, I've never read a High Times!)

No biggie over that the magazine has since become a place for places to place ads..Very sad actually

geoffk · Post by **geoffk** » Fri 27th Jul 2007 03:23 pm

Based upon your hotel, I would be heading for Stix and most likely Rokerij III. I've been to Rokerij and really love chilling there. I'd pick up some Temple Ball at Stix and check out what's fresh at Rokerij III. See recent travelogues for reviews of their weed.

I've never been to Grey Area and I would make that a priority for a take away stop. I'd been curious about Homegrown Fantasy, and after reading Neldo's report, I'd make that a must. I'm a big fan of Bluebird myself, so I'd recommend that. I also really enjoy bio, and your'e not that far from Albert Cuyp Market, so I'd hit Club Media to get some organic grass. I've heard plenty good about Katsu as well.

The only coffeeshop I've been to that I would avoid is Double Reggae, just wasn't digging the vibe there. I've strolled by La Canna, and it looked like a cheesy tourist trap and to a lesser extent: Grasshopper and Bulldog. There are many quality coffeeshops in the city, and I wouldn't waste my time with those.

This might help you pick out some weed:
http://www.smokersguide.com/sg/index.html

cheese · Post by **cheese** » Fri 27th Jul 2007 03:33 pm

dont worry about the noon, just go in and see what the vibe is like.. its sorta always different... one of my fav shops to be honest! and the bb is awesome!!!

skars · Post by **skars** » Fri 27th Jul 2007 11:53 pm

From the spot you are staying, you can easily reach any of the coffeeshops in the centrum. You are close to rembrandtplein so I would recommend the following int he immediate area:

There will be a bushdoctor right near your hotel and one on the other side of rembrandtplein. If you want edibles, I think theirs are decent and they usually have pretty good herb. Close to that is the Balou which will probably be your best morning spot as they are super friendly and always have good travel suggestions (sites and such to see). You aren't too far from the Old Amsterdam and the Arabica lounge. Both offer fine gear and are right across the street from cafe menschen (smoker friendly bar) at the blue bridge.

Outside the immediate area are some great shops, if you want to head south towards albertcuypmarkt from your hotel, I would hit the Stix, the Little, Mellow Yellow, and Katsu.

If you want to head North, I say stop in at HGF, Grey Area, and Barney's Brasserie for food and beer.

Finally, if you are willing to catch a tram or feel like a good walk, I say try out the Kashmir Lounge on the West and Happy People/trefpunt in the East.

Uhp, I almost forgot. If in the Red light district hit the Basjoe after you "sweat it out".

SilentlyScreaming · Post by **SilentlyScreaming** » Sat 28th Jul 2007 05:18 pm

Ahhhhhh, this is perfect, EXACTLY what I was hoping people might post back to this thread. I truly appreciate all the advice thus far, this will save so much time in terms of guessing where to go next

Plus the comments on what is worth visiting near the apartment are brilliant, getting up & falling into bed will be less of a chore with some HQ CSs near us, ta again.

SilentlyScreaming · Post by **SilentlyScreaming** » Sat 8th Sep 2007 10:51 am

OK, this is the list (collated from here, channels and random googling, but not updated since 20/8 ), if anyone has a good reason to recommend removing any of these, please do let me know, as it could do with a little pruning.
Having said that, if I've somehow missed any outstanding CSs, again let me know, please.

First, CSs relatively near the train station...
Route 99
Barney's Breakfast Bar
Pink Floyd (Umma Gumma)
Popeye
Prix d'ami
de Kuil (420 Cafe)
Coffeeshop 36
Greenhouse Effect (specificlly for cakes and shakeS)

Next CSs nearish our Apartment - just north of Rembrantsplein
Stix Utrechtsestraat
Stix Koningsstraat
Balou
Barney's Lounge - specifically for their Volcano
BushDoctor Amstel
Rokerij III
Old Amsterdam
Arabica Lounge
BushDoctor Thorbeckeplein
Greenhouse Namaste - good pre rolled (Until my UK friends get in, I'll have no baccy/rolling accessories)

Other areas

Rookies
Abraxas - free(?) internet - avoid brownies and shake
***Little - (same as Little Juice Bar?) - Free WiFi - Ask For Encryption Pwd
Mellow Yellow - operate their volcano for you? (I'm a vapo virgin

) - pinball
Katsu - pinball
Club Media - organic grass
Willie Wortel's Sativa in haarlem
willie wortel's Indica in haarlem

CSs not fitting in the three lists above
Goa - Spacecakes good, how is the weed?
Old Church - esp. top floor or outdoor area
Baba
Basjoe - chess set
Amnesia
Grey Area
Homegrown Fantasy
Twede Kamer
Dampkring
Dolphins - vapourisers available, Free WiFi+Power, old school arcade machine

I'll update a different thread re. different strains worth smoking, and where to smoke them...

Tall Guy · Post by **Tall Guy** » Sat 8th Sep 2007 12:08 pm

Mate you're going crazy with the planning still! stop it and go with the flow, you'll have a much better time.

Have a list, sure, but you won't do a tenth of what's on it, you'll be far too busy just experiencing it all.

I don't mean to be rude, but I really think you're over-thinking it

Grrl_Interrupted · Post by **Grrl_Interrupted** » Sat 8th Sep 2007 12:38 pm

Kadinsky is alright, man... I like it.

Basjoe
Homegrown Fantasy
Twede Kamer
Dampkring

Can personally highly recommend all of those, esp 2e Kamer, which is air conditioned.....

SilentlyScreaming · Post by **SilentlyScreaming** » Sat 8th Sep 2007 01:51 pm

Tall Guy wrote:Mate you're going crazy with the planning still! stop it and go with the flow, you'll have a much better time.
Have a list, sure, but you won't do a tenth of what's on it, you'll be far too busy just experiencing it all.
I don't mean to be rude, but I really think you're over-thinking it

No offence taken, and you are probably right, however, I really went to the other extreme the first couple of times I visited, and I am also hoping to visit a little more regularly, so I suppose it is sort of turning into a long term checklist, rather than an itinerary for one 4 day trip

I have not actually been planning all this time since I last posted, I've just been reading the forums as a way to unwind after work

Cheers for your concern, but don't worry, when I actually get to Amsterdam (20 days now), I'll not be a list nazi, I'll just be happy to have a suggestion to hand if either friend asks 'so where now?'... I'll be happy if we make it to more than 5, LMAO

Grrl_Interrupted wrote:Kadinsky is alright, man... I like it.
Basjoe
Homegrown Fantasy
Twede Kamer
Dampkring
Can personally highly recommend all of those, esp 2e Kamer, which is air conditioned.....

Thanks, duly noted

travelling high · Post by **travelling high** » Sat 8th Sep 2007 03:01 pm

LOL..With your list anxiety your gonna need a smoke..LOL..It all be good just go with it and you will find what you need..No worries mate

geoffk · Post by **geoffk** » Sat 8th Sep 2007 05:51 pm

Homegrown Fantasy has a volcano by the way.

Tall Guy · Post by **Tall Guy** » Sat 8th Sep 2007 06:05 pm

OK, good to hear that you've got things in perspective TH! If you're planning for regular trips that's a different matter.

One more thing, I actually really like Stone's Corner. It's a bit small and touristy, but it's the closest c/s to my usual hotel, so it's often the first stop off for me. Very cool staff (esp Richard, and the hot older lady), good coffee, and the warm ears hash is lovely. Avoid the ice-o-lator hash, it's not as good as elsewhere (like Dampkring/T Kamer eg). I like the funky Moroccan decor too: