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Amsterdam Coffee Shops questions and answers

Coffee Forums is the largest coffee discussion group on the internet. You can find several discussions on Coffee Shops Cafes

Q: In amsterdam coffee shops. How old do you have to be to purchase Weed?


A: 18. I don't know why some one is rating down on this answer. I worked in a coffee shop for many years and when some one came in who looked pretty young, I had to check identification because they have to be 18 years old. Friends of mine still work in coffee shops and the law didn't change since I left.

Q: Everything I need to know about visiting Amsterdam Coffee Shops?
Legal stuff and illegal stuff I want to know whats okay to do and whats not okay to do...I don't want to be seen as a tourist when I go. What should I watch out for (example joints mixed with tabacco, bad people, etc..)?

A: To be honest it is pretty easy to spot the tourist and "Guess the nationality" is also a fun game (you can also play when you have been there for sometime. Tourists are common & welcomed, so don't worry about being one. However I guess what you mean is to get informed in advance and not be a brash tourist, and that's a positive. Firstly (sorry but I have to say it), Amsterdam is not just coffeeshops and a red light district. It really has so much to offer in terms of history, culture, architecture, art, museums etc. However it is also a lot of fun, good nightlife, lots of bars, generally a relaxed atmosphere and easy to get around. So please do check out the rest of the city as well if you are here! Ok lecture over :0). Fact is that all drugs are illegal in Amsterdam (and the rest of the Netherlands). Sales of marijuana (cannabis/weed whatever you want to call it) are 'tolerated' under certain conditions: - no more than five grams per person may be sold in any one transaction; - no hard drugs may be sold; - drugs may not be advertised; - the coffee shop must not cause any nuisance; - no drugs may be sold to persons under the age of 18, nor may minors be admitted on the premises. Hard drugs are absolutely not tolerated and are acted upon stringently. By tolerating marijuana, resources can be targeted to hard drugs. Never buy anything off the street - marijuana or otherwise. Common sense prevails that this is (a) illegal (and not licensed) and (b) you don't have a clue what they are selling or what their intentions are. By law you cannot smoke tobacco inside a public place (even a coffeeshop) where staff are working. It is only if they have a partitioned area (e.g. glass walls) that this is possible (but not very practical for most coffeeshops). Also make sure you carry ID. Firstly for bars/coffeeshops you will be ID checked unless it is clear you are well over 18. Also by law the police can stop you and you have to provide proof of ID (passport/ID card/Driving licence) Age limits are: - 16 to purchase beer and wine <15% alcohol content - 16 to purchase cigarettes - 18 to purchase spirits and 15+% alcohol - 18 to enter a coffeeshop When walking around the Red Light District, do not try to take photos either with your camera or phone. This is not welcomed putting it politely! The only other warning I can think of just to use common sense. Don't drink or smoke to excess (both beer and joints are stronger than other countries) and if you end up stumbing around the streets then you will be an easy target. Amsterdam is pretty safe, but like most cities, pick-pocketing does take place, so don't carry a lot of cash, carry ATM cards & other valuables/docs seperately and securely to reduce the risk. Other than that - just go, have fun, don't worry about being a tourist.... and most of all, enjoy Amsterdam!

Q: Is a driver's license good enough ID to get into Amsterdam clubs&coffee shops?or is a passport needed?
I'm thinking about visiting Amsterdam, but don't want to carry my passport when i go out. Im a UK citizen, will they accept jst my driver's license?

A: Most times they don't ask for your ID in clubs and coffee-shops. But if they do ask a driving-licensee is good enough. Using a good copy of your passport is also a good idea. Don't forget you must always carry a sort of identification card with you. A driving-licensee is accepted as an identification card. A copy of your passport isn't officially accepted as an identification. This is because if you are involved in any sort of crime or an eyewitness the police want to see your ID. It does not happen often but if you do not carry an accepted identification card around it is possible that you have to go to the police station. Or you might have to pay a fine. If you are a foreigner you have to pay that fine in cash immediately. Anyhow you do not have to carry around your passport. A driving-licensee is well accepted as an identification card.

Q: Most of coffee-shops in Amsterdam are getting closed now?
Just informed that most of coffee-shops in Amsterdam are getting closed, in other words it's not legal anymore to sell soft drugs (Hash, Mari, Magic Mash.) Is this right??? If they're doing so, I'll be changing the whole plan of going to Amsterdam!!!

A: Unlike the hype, there is not going to change much in the way of coffee shops. Some will close, but there has been a steady move of closing coffee shops in Amsterdam, and the rest of the country, over the last 20 years at least. Selling soft drugs has never been legal, it has been and still is, tolerated as long as the seller keeps to several rules. In the last years they have become a little more strict, but there are still a lot of coffee shops open. But take your passport, unless you are clearly 30+ in age, you will need to show it. Mushrooms is a different thing. The sales of that were made illegal at the first of December 2008. There might be some places still selling them, but they can expect to be fined or worse at any moment. So do not count on them being open by the time you get to the Netherlands. By the way, these rules, laws and traditions are the same for the whole country.

Q: in 2012 will non dutch passport holders still be able to smoke cannabis in amsterdam coffee shops?
Was thinking about going there instead of staying in London for the olympics..( Overcrowded tubes, Busy Streets is not something im looking forward to) Also could someone tell me how much roughly im going to have to save up to go. thankyou

A: It is already impossible to predict what is going to happen in this respect next year, how can anybody ever predict what is going to happen in 4 years time. Keep reading the newspapers and ask about a month before you have to book your trip. At this time Amsterdam is about as expensive as England outside London. You will be on holidays and therefor spend more money than you would in normal life, so say you plan to save as much as you would for a holiday in London. Nearer the time you can adjust your budget to what is reality at that time. But I am afraid that the Netherlands, certainly Amsterdam, will be very busy those weeks too. Not really restful.

Q: Do they ask for ID in amsterdam coffee shops?
I was wondering how old you have to be to get something with weed in it and if they ask for ID at all coffee shops, and if you guys know of any that dont ask for ID me and my brother are only here for 3 weeks and we want to get high everyyyyday? Thank you SO much.

A: The age limit for smoking and drinking is 18. If you look under 18 be sure to carry some ID as checks are common. You should also understand that, strictly speaking, possession of small quantities is decriminalised but not "legal", meaning it's a non-criminal offence like a parking ticket. In practice, even the law against selling cannabis is not enforced in Amsterdam.

Q: Do Amsterdam Coffee shops sell food?
Do they sell anything besides weed/hash and all those illegal drugs in the U.S.? I'm doing a project in school about hash, and would like to mention the fact that you can walk into a coffee shop in Amsterdam and order it straight off the menu. Was just wondering for my own knowledge if they sold food and drinks there as well? or are they strictly in business for selling weed/hash.

A: Hmmm... I think the first person is refering to a normal café... In the Netherlands, only places that sell weed/hash are called "coffeeshops"! Normally, coffeeshops don't do food but sometimes they sell crisps or cookies or spacecake. They do sell beverages but they are not allowed to sell alcohol.

Q: are kids allowed in amsterdam coffee shops?
(not to buy weed, just are they allowed in)

A: It is simply not the environment for kids age limit or no age limit. If you must visit a coffeeshop and have kids then ask your hotel to arrange an approved childminder to babysit them. It won't cost much for a couple of hours or so.. I'm not against smoking but I really can't see any sense in bringing kids into a smokey cafe let alone a weed smoking cafe.....(even if the owner would look the other way) your choice at the end of the day I know

Q: how old do you have to be to smoke weed in the coffee shops in Amsterdam?
me and a few friends are going to amsterdam and want to go to the coffee shops!,,how old do you have to be?,,does a fake id work??

A: Well as you are obviously are aware (by the fake ID note) it is 18 to be able to smoke or purchase weed in a coffeeshop. Not only that - you have to be 18 to enter one as well. Yes the chances are you will get ID checked.Due to clampdowns by the local council, coffeeshop owners are more and more cautious to protect their licences and therefore do not allow underage persons on the premisis Fake ID's - well I guess it depends on what the ID is and how good the quality is. As per Dutch law you are required to carry around offical ID e.g. national ID card (offical government issued) or passport - so coffeeshop staff, if in doubt will request this if you start issuing bogus (e.g.) University cards with DOB info. If you have a good forgery of a passport or a drivining licence or ID card then fine, it would work - but otherwise not. However, ask yourself if you really want to run the risk of carrying forged ID! If this is the be-all and end-all to your visit to Amsterdam, then just get an 18 year old to go with you, buy the stuff and smoke it somewhere quiet.

Q: Amsterdam Coffee Shops ?
My girlfriend and I are going to Amsterdam in november, and I'm sure we'll be visiting some coffee shops, but she doesn't smoke, I was wondering if the coffee shops have smoke extractors,because I don't want her to be choking on my smoke the whole time. Also, can you tell me the names of some good coffee shops, I've been told to avoid the grasshopper and Bulldog 'cos they're touristy and expensive. Any ideas?

A: You can also smoke in other places, don't have to limit yourself to inside a coffeeshop. Though it is not a good idea to light up just anywhere, try to stay away from the crowds and children and you can enjoy a smoke outside. I partake but cannot stand cigarette smoke but the locals roll joints with more tobacco than weed in them here. So i'm forced to take mine to go sometimes. I've walked behind many a person smoking a fatty and have walked or sat near a canal and smoked myself. Be cool and you will not get in trouble or offend anyone. There are plenty of coffeeshops to choose from, can't even remember going to either the Bulldog or Grasshopper. I like coffeeshops that play good music and have nice friendly people working the counter and not so crowded. Look around you will find many that are to your liking. Cool that your considerate about your girl! Have a blast, Amsterdam is a fabulous city.

Q: What are the best coffee shops in amsterdam?
I'm going on saturday, ive been before and done the whole bulldog, grasshopper and la cana thing and im looking for a quieter place. I suppose what im asking is where can you get the best quality for the best price?

A: I forget the name of the website..but search for amsterdam coffeeshop review..there is a site with user submitted reviews for them all..but yeh , like you say, stay away from the big touristy ones...Centraal (just over the road from Central Station)is good for example, great selection.,,,oh and by the way...Im due a visit there again..fancy smuggling me in your case?

Q: Is it true you can buy small quanities of pot in Amsterdam in coffee shops?


A: > Technically, you are allowed to carry 5 grams for 'personal use' - but as one user stated, you could visit multiple shops and get more. Well, I was there last summer, and they offered a "weekend pack" in one coffee shop. Nice move to underrun government laws, I must say! They just said, it was a package suitable for a weekend from Friday to Monday (that is, four days), so that made up for 40 grams, and a package for today's use, which was another five. So that goes for an ounce. But of course you can buy much, much more. Never judge a book by its cover, and never trust what's written on the label. > do not cause trouble Yes, that's true. In Amsterdam, they're very much on the watch to keep up public order. Nobody will arrest you (except for friendly purposes) when you just lay around on a bench, completely stoned. But if you're causing trouble, police can be very harsh and unforgiving. -- In the Netherlands, pot and cops look the same: Harmless, but once you meet them, it may be a life experience. I swear.

Q: where can i find some coffee shops menus in amsterdam?
im looking for websites that show the menus of coffeeshops in amsterdam. links would be helpful. thanks. 420.

A: You will not likely find coffeeshop menus on-line. In Holland, advertising for drugs (except alcohol) is illegal. Some options : http://www.bullwackie.nl/index.swf http://leda.lycaeum.org/?ID=12431 (Very Old!!) This site has a LOAD of pictures of menus: http://www.hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71706

Q: Do you have to be of a specific age to go into an Amsterdam "Coffee Shop?"?
I'm planning on going to Amsterdam later on in the year; I'm 17 years old. Do you have to be of a specific age to go into a hash bar?... like 18 and over or 21 and over? Since I'm 17, what can I do in Amsterdam that can be "fun?" Lol. I really want to go into a coffee shop, but I don't know the age limits. What about "candy stores?" Lmao (whore houses...). What can a damn 17 year-old (non-Dutch speaking...) tourist DO in Amsterdam? :-) Thank you! :-D I'm not talking about age of consent laws... lmao. I want to know how a hash-smokin' hippie 17 year-old can have some fun in Amsterdam. Lmaoo. If I were to walk into a "coffee shop" and order some Northern Lights, will they ask to ID me? What's the age to buy some hash?

A: IF you look your age then forget about going into a coffeeshop. If you can pass for older you MAY be able to sneak in and buy some w/out getting carded. ALL coffeeshops though can only sell to 18 and over...but with all laws they are broken. Legal drinking age is 16 so you're straight there. and a "damn 17 year-old (non-Dutch speaking...) tourist" can do TONS in Amsterdam...you just have to be open minded. Rent a bike and discover the city. Check out all the random galleries and shops. I higly recommend the Anne frank House, Rijks museum and Van gogh.

Q: Is a driver's license good enough ID to get into Amsterdam clubs and coffee shops?or is a passport needed?
As i don'treally want to carry my passport out and about

A: You are right. Many Dutch also do not carry their passport with them. I do not want to carry my passport either. If you always pay in the public transport and obey the rules, you do not have to show a passport (in general). That is why many Dutch do not carry a passport and why in many cases the police will accept a copy although that is not good enough and you have to get your passport. For the police it is true that only some documents (passport, dutch drivers licence) are good enough. So a photocopy of your passport is wise, but the police may give you a fine for not being able to show a identification. They will not always be so strict. I have been asked for my ID only once, when I carried no light on my bike. Clubs and coffeeshops are sometimes less sensitive, but they will always ask for a ID when they are not sure about your age. For them a drivers licence and a photocopy of your ID are in many cases good enough. But not always, so maybe carrying your passport is better.