From 1 July 2008, a ban on tobacco came into effect in bars and restaurants etc across the Netherlands. What this means for coffeeshops is that unless they can provide a specially designated 'smoking room' (most can't – they're too small), you can only smoke pure joints indoors. You can, however, smoke joints with tobacco outdoors if they have a terrace. But look on the bright side. You might not be allowed to smoke a cigarette inside a coffeeshop, but you can still smoke cannabis! You can also try another portal such as a bong, pipe or vaporizer.
Quite possibly my favourite coffeeshop in town. It's a small, three-level, glass-floored coffeeshop in the heart of where all the trendy clubs/bars are behind Dam Square. As well as the regular hash and grass, they also do space cakes, shakes and cannabis tea, plus they have internet and DJs occasionally spin.
AMNESIA | Herengracht 133 | (020) 427 7874
The canalside Amnesia has a certain 'home from home' boudoir charm. Their refined menu is unlike most other coffeeshops in Amsterdam – offering more non-commercial varieties. There's also a chess table to challenge your powers of concentration as you continue to get stoned on a rainy afternoon.
BARNEY'S | Haarlemmerstraat 102 | (020) Haarlemmerstraat 102 | www.barneys-amsterdam.com
This psychedelic cavern is quite the expats' hangout from the music right down to the tabloids and Lea & Perrins/HP Sauce. The perfect hangover cure can be had here: a huge greasy breakfast and a joint. They also offer vegan and vegetarian breakfasts! Just a five-minute walk from Centraal Station, you could do worse for that first (or last) toke in Amsterdam. They open at the staggeringly early time of 8am. My only complaint in fact, is that a rude woman (with a French accent) hung up on me when I phoned to ask for Barney's opening times. On top of that it was for a plug they were getting (for free, I might add) in one of the largest internet guides on the city there is. When my jaw was functioning again, I phoned back and got a nice Aussie woman who apologised sweetly... but still... it has tainted my opinion on the place. Proceed with caution.
BETTY BOOP | Nieuwezijds Kolk 12 | (020) 622 5187
Quentin Tarantino memorably referred to Amsterdam in his 1994 movie Pulp Fiction. What's lesser known, however, is that he worked on the script within this otherwise fairly unremarkable (though friendly), coffeeshop/juice bar – before reputedly leaving the city with an unpaid bill of around €120 at independent video/DVD rental store, Cult Videotheek!