Exploring Amsterdam with friends

[RedGecko58]

Finally, back in Amsterdam after 3 years. This time with friends who had not been before. Again, there were fewer coffee shops than I would have liked as it’s only really me that prefers smoking over drinking, but I still managed to try a few shops and focused on my favourite and new ones.
As usual, I ask to see most of their top hashes and pick based on look and smell. I prefer hash mixed with tobacco, but I’ve promised myself this is the last tobacco trip, and I’ll need to find a new way to enjoy hash.
The first stop was my first ever coffee shop when I was 18 and around 7-8 trips ago and I really enjoyed sharing that with friends.


Dampkring: "Cohiba" hash: €14. I’m not sure if I’m getting pickier but I wasn’t impressed with the selection in the Dampkring and their hashes over the years seem to have got worse not better. This was a good quality Moroccan hash but disappointing as it was the top of their Moroccan menu. Managed to get 4 seats at the window as we came in, which reminded me of my first trip and learning to roll properly whilst drinking banana milkshakes.
Normally, the first smoke knocks me a bit, as I don’t smoke at home, and initially, I thought I rolled the first one weak as I didn’t want to put friends off. However, the second one still was not quite hitting the mark. Anyway, will be back on each trip as usual.

7/10
Atmosphere – As always, it is a special place for me.

Greenhouse Centre/RLD : "Super Lemon Haze Cream," €16 for a G.
So after the disappointing Dampkring offering, we went for a want around the RLD. I knew I needed to grab something good before we got the tram towards Café De Klos, nipped in and had a look at their top hash. Picked this as it had a strong smell and would do the job.
This was a lighter, oily hash that smoked very well. This sorted me out for the bedtime smoke and one quick smoke before we headed for ribs at CDK.
9/10
Atmosphere – Just a buy and fly, as usual shop was busy, and we were heading for food. Usually, the quality is consistent and a little overpriced.


Kadinsky: "King Hassan" hash: €13.5
This was the one on Rosmarijnsteeg near Spuistraat / Singel.
A new shop for me and not one I would have opted for, but as we stumbled across it, I decided, why not. A very friendly server let me view all the hash they had, and I picked the King Hassan. This was better than the Dampkring offering. The coffee was also good, and the front shop was nice. We sat up in the back in the glass box, which was empty when we arrived, although it quickly filled up.
The hash was nice and soft. A quick smoke set us up well to go and explore for the day. We visited a chip shop ‘Fable Friets’, which worked very well after this. Again, not a top-quality hash, but a new shop I would return to.

8/10
Atmosphere - Great -friendly service, good hot drinks and happy to show the selection.


La Tertulia: "Afghan Hash," €6 for 0.5g
This shop has been on our list for several years, but we never managed to make it here – and on this trip, we went twice, and it was shut! It doesn’t open every day, so we came back a third time, and thankfully, it was open. The shop is bright and airy when you step inside, unlike some of the caves we are used to. I looked at the 3 hashes on offer and picked the Afghan. It’s nice to be able to pick up half grams as we had some free time as a couple and my partner doesn’t smoke much. This was a normal budget dark hash, but it was great to sit outside with a coffee on a cold day and watch people as we waited for friends to arrive. My only challenge was that I smoke with tobacco and normally roll under the table, however, this shop was so airy, and the server mentioned I couldn’t use tobacco inside. I think it would have been immediately obvious if I had lit up inside. No issue, though we sat outside and enjoyed. I think all coffee shops should have this level of ventilation.
7.5/10
Atmosphere – The hash is nothing to write home about, but I enjoyed it being chilled out compared to some of the city centre shops.



The Store : "Unknown Hash," €18 for a G.
Forgot the exact name and can’t see it on the menus. It’s their top one.
This was another shop that was not on my radar, but Sibirie was packed, and I needed to smoke. This shop surprised me, although the prices were maybe slightly high, the service was great. All hashes are shown and could have a good look and smell of each before making a decision. I also liked that they left the 3 out for me to look at side by side – too many times I’ve remembered the wrong one!!
A lovely mint tea and hot chocolate were brought outside to us whilst I rolled. Inside has good but limited seating, but outside, there are nice tables with benches.
Back to the hash, this was a new school hash, very soft even in the freezing February weather. This was tricky to roll with, but once lit I knew it was a good decision. This was the best one of the trip. Perhaps because I didn’t have the expectations I have with Dampkring, Greenhouse etc. I enjoyed this, and the little puff my partner and friend had proved it was a bit stronger!
9/10
Atmosphere – This will probably be my Sibirie backup from now on, and maybe I will even make a planned visit next time!

Outside of this, we mainly went to bars where we could smoke and drink. My friends wanted to got the bulldog (which I had refused to do since our first visit), but actually, it was okay, and the palace one out at Leidsplein was spacious and had good seating.

Before this trip, we had also heard that Hill Street Blues was actually enforcing the no smoking of any kind rule. We found this was not the case – smoked there most nights at some point!

I enjoyed showing friends around but I look forward to the next trip so I can focus on trying new shops and eating more snacks!

[HitTheNorth]

Nice one thanks for sharing.
Interesting about HSB I wonder if this new rule is gonna be as half assed as the tobacco ban... sure hope so!

[RedGecko58]

Nice one thanks for sharing.
Interesting about HSB I wonder if this new rule is gonna be as half assed as the tobacco ban... sure hope so!

Yeah I'm sure the rule has always stood and not been enforced. Before we went I read a few comments in the HSB thread suggesting they were enforcing it. But when we arrived, I went to check and ended up smoking in there 4 nights in a row, obviously buying drinks etc but no issues at all. Great for me as it means I can enjoy smoking whilst my partner drinks!

[Jolly]

Thanks for the report. Nice little read

[Ghost]

Thanks for the write up Buddy, interesting about HSB and I also found on a website that smoking is still allowed there - so thanks for the update on that. Glad you had a good trip