Smoking Weed in Amsterdam: A Tourist's Comparison of Coffeeshops

Are you planning a trip to the Netherlands? Are you thinking about smoking weed in Amsterdam? With weed shops, better known to Amsterdam natives as coffeehouses, all over the city, one can hop from weed shop to weed shop all day long for two weeks straight and still not see them all. So where to go when smoking weed in Amsterdam is on the agenda? Here is a comparison of three major weed shops in Amsterdam that I visited while traveling through there.

Bulldog Coffeehouse
The Bulldog chain of smoke/coffee houses is well established and renowned, but to make an accurate analogy to describe the aura of the coffee shops, the Bulldog is like the McDonalds of pot smoking spots in Amsterdam. In other words, tourist central. If you want to stick out as a tourist and pay high prices at the same time, go to the Bulldog. On the other hand, there are some benefits to their corporate-esque status that actually might make it a desirable place at the right time for the right person when it comes to smoking weed in Amsterdam. The Bulldog, aptly named after the owner's favorite canine companion back in 1975 is expanding all over the continent and the objective is to promote universal legalization. So at best, you can at least feel good that some of your money may very well be going to a worthy cause. If you are in the heart of the Amsterdam commercial area, try to go to the Bulldog coffeehouse located in Leidseplein. This location is considered the main headquarters, or the "Bulldog Palace" and was built in an old police station that the Bulldog owner used to spend lots of time in. One area even has a trippy black and white trademark jail motif, fit with the original black iron jail cell bars. It is also very nice because you can opt for pleasant, outdoor seating, as available.

Abraxas Coffee shop
The Abraxas Coffee shop was by far the best and most populated with natives as opposed to a swarm of tourists. This was the ultimate smoking environment if I ever could imagine one. Swirly abstract murals on the walls, glowing stars on the ceiling with a giant globe on the wall. This is called the Chillroom, by the locals and staff members. Words cannot describe the intense energy that could be felt in this room of Arabian couches, trippy videos on a big screen, and a general attitude of "oneness" among all of the patrons. There wasn't much interaction between parties and the place didn't seem like a real good place to try and strike up a conversation with a stranger, but that's not because it was cold, it is simply because everyone seemed to be absorbed in their own exploration of their mind and bodily sensations, as affected by the smoke. Abraxas is becoming more and more popular and commercial as the years pass but at one time it was a true Amsterdam native's best kept secret. It is just around the corner from the downtown, Dam Square area, but one might easily miss it if walking around sightseeing like a tourist. We were introduced to it by another American who was squatting in Amsterdam for a few months. Great environment, and not to mention decently priced, extremely potent hashish and marijuana. And free Internet now, I hear.

Old Church Coffee Shop
This smoke joint is hit or miss. And there's really no way to gauge the trends in order to go at the perfect time, you just have to get lucky. But if you get lucky, you'll be extremely pleased, for this coffee shop is a great place for tourists who don't wish to act like traditional tourists. You know, those of us who like to pretend we're as cool, as "chill" as the locals but really we're trying to hold back shouts of joyous glee when in any close proximity to some good, legal bud. We try to act calm, but let's face it, this is really an amazing place. Well Old Church let's you acknowledge that without making you feel like a tool. It is located in the Red Light District and has nice outside seating arrangement. It is very conducive to socializing and meeting other travelers, unlike many of the other local coffee shops and the staff members are very patient and friendly. The weed and hash are also known to be consistently above par.

No matter what coffee shop you choose to visit when smoking weed in Amsterdam, be sure to use your common sense and take it easy. Chances are, you'll be spending at least a couple of days in the Amsterdam area, so choose the way you spend them wisely. If smoking two joints of hash will obliterate you and render you immobile for the following four hours, you might want to limit yourself to a few hits at once and toke a little here and there throughout the day. Or maybe you are smoking weed in Amsterdam as your main form of entertainment and primary motivation for this particular vacation. In that case, find a nice coffeeshop where you feel comfortable, and smoke away. Either way, when smoking weed in Amsterdam, be safe and exceed moderation with caution. Eventually, I presume, at some point, you will want to go back home.