Coffeeshop strategy...

[DazedandConfusedinOR]

Not sure if this is the right place for this, so if not I apologize in advance!

Now, here's my question! I have two weeks in the Dam come March. I have a list of about 35 coffeeshops I hope to visit. How do people here go about deciding which places to visit?

Do you visit as many as you can or do you have favorites that you hit up on a regular basis? Just curious...

[bennybacker]

Everyone has favourites regards coffeeshops they could sell shit weed but you still go because of some long distant memory. Regarding which new shops to hit check out the coffeeshop review section and see which ones are likes. Check out the travelogues section for which coffeeshops have good weed at the moment.

Print out the map and work out which coffeeshops are reachable.

All the info is on this site mate but you are going have to do a wee bit graft to find it.

[bennybacker]

Oh and don't let anyone tell you bla bla bla is shit ect find out for yourself ones mans ball of shit is another mans gold.

[Kermit]

Do you visit as many as you can or do you have favorites that you hit up on a regular basis? Just curious...

I like to visit a few during the day i have either not been to or not been to for a while. Then on an evening i will stick to the places i know and got to more often.

I do try and visit as many as i can but at my own pace and nearly evey trip i miss loads out that i wanted to visit, just add them to your next trip.

Enjoy

[DaveS]

As bennybacker has said, there are some more specialised areas on the forum to check out, but you can't beat trying a shortlist of places out or just get into the vibe and explore once you get there.

Everyone has their own personal favourite haunts... for the weed, for the ambience, for the music or just for the location perhaps.

Scroll down the list of least favourite coffeeshops to get a feel for the ones to avoid (Grasshopper springs instantly to mind) and check out the list of favourite coffeeshops for the hints and tips that might point you in their direction as well.

Don't ever be afraid to just check some place out on spec though - some great little hideaways can be found to suit almost everyone's taste.

I always have one or two places that I tend to stay in the most.. De Kuil, Amnesia, Green Place and Basjoes have always been good stops for me, but just let your mood take you where it will and have a great time!

[DazedandConfusedinOR]

Thanks for the advice friends. I definitely want to check out a few shops in de Pijp part of town - YoYo, Katsu, Carmona, etc. Big D from Adventures in Europe turned me on to those thanks to his awesome YouTube vids!

Also, I'm staying on the Brouwersgracht so I'll probably stick to the shops on Haarlemmerstraat when it gets late so I can stumble home without getting lost. I just don't want to run myself ragged and get burnt out. I'm planning on visiting three or four per day.

Again, thanks for the advice. This forum is a great resource. Peace.

[liquidSwords]

You could do your 4 a day in sections...

Like GreenPlace, Bluebird, Basjoe and another nearby, Rusland maybe, there all close by.

Maybe the next day you could start at Paradox, then hit Grey Area, Homegrown Fantasy and 420 De Kuil,

I like to map out a route and try and stick to it for the day like a trail on the yellow brick road , then most evenings i end up in Nes cafe and then a spliff in the coffeeshop closest to my hotel

Have a good one however, and sometime things are best unplanned

[DazedandConfusedinOR]

...and sometime things are best unplanned

I hear ya liquidSwords. It's just that the only other time I was there (2001) I was completely overwhelmed! I had one of those crappy DK travel guides and no map. Half the time I was so high I didn't even know where I was. This time I have the coffeeshop guide by Lemming as a great resource and a pretty good guidebook: Let's Go: Amsterdam. Plus I have a backup guidebook (Get Lost! The Cool Guide to Amsterdam) and a great laminated foldable map.

I know I sound anal, but I'm not! I just want to make sure I have a good time this time around!! I do like the idea of combining coffeeshops by area though. Seems like a good strategy.

[michoacan]

another factor to consider is the staff. I don't care how good the ambience, location or music is if the staff is rude or has an attitude. If I am on my best behavior, I expect a modicum of courtesy.

[Dimon]

I would say do what you want to do and be happy,the best thing about Amsterdam is a big surprise,but don,t forget couple of cs mentioned on this forum

[Uncle Ron]

Not sure if this is the right place for this, so if not I apologize in advance!

Now, here's my question! I have two weeks in the Dam come March. I have a list of about 35 coffeeshops I hope to visit. How do people here go about deciding which places to visit?

Do you visit as many as you can or do you have favorites that you hit up on a regular basis? Just curious...

There have been occasions when I would start at or near Barneys and follow one of the main canals from one end to the other. I would check out the shops along the way, taking note of everything and sometimes nothing, depends on the gear.
Most often I go to a few select shops that are spread throughout the city. This enables me to take in a little more of the culture with every visit.

Peace

[Dimon]

Not sure if this is the right place for this, so if not I apologize in advance!

Now, here's my question! I have two weeks in the Dam come March. I have a list of about 35 coffeeshops I hope to visit. How do people here go about deciding which places to visit?

Do you visit as many as you can or do you have favorites that you hit up on a regular basis? Just curious...

There have been occasions when I would start at or near Barneys and follow one of the main canals from one end to the other. I would check out the shops along the way, taking note of everything and sometimes nothing, depends on the gear.
Most often I go to a few select shops that are spread throughout the city. This enables me to take in a little more of the culture with every visit.

Peace

That,s a good strategy

[Cisco]

I more or less do the same as everyone else ! start of with shops i know (first doob etc ) then once im settled in (i like e/one else usually has plans what and where to go but these usually go out the window) i try find shops ive never been to !

[munkyboy2k]

Start in a show you know you like then take it from there!

Planning never seems to happen with me

[DazedandConfusedinOR]

I think I'll probably end up doing something like this (not necessarily in this order though):

Yo-Yo
Carmona
Katsu
De Graal

MY
Noon
Little
Tweedy

Rookies
Tops
Rokerij
Dolphins

Stix
Overkant Hortus
Het Ballonnetje

Dampkring
Kadinsky
Tweede Kamer
Kadinsky Cum Laude

La Tertulia
Paradox
De Supermarkt

Abraxas
Basjoe
Green Place

4:20
Baba
Abraxas Too

Grey Area
Amnesia
Magic

Then I'll just hit up the 7 or 8 coofeeshops on or around Haarlemmerstraat in the evening as I'm staying about a one minute walk from them. I also plan on spending a half day in Haarlem and a half day in Zandvoort although I'll probably only hit up Yanks there and grab a decent dinner.

I'm also looking into an overnight trip to Basel ($81 RT) but not sure I want to leave the comfy confines on the Netherlands as this trip is primarily about smoking.

I'll admit, I'm not a big planner usually, but I live on the west coast of the US, not the UK so this trip is a big deal, not just a weekend fling for me! Shit, if I lived in the UK I would be in the Dam at least one weekend a month!!