Amsterdam Coffeeshops

Cannabis Museum Amsterdam takes a modern, interactive approach to the story of cannabis. Spread across three floors on Damstraat, just a short walk from Dam Square, the museum explores the plant through history, science, culture and its many uses, from industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis to the development of Amsterdam’s coffeeshop culture.

A more interactive museum Rather than relying mainly on traditional display cases, the museum uses interactive installations, multimedia and visual exhibits to tell its story. It is designed to make a complex subject approachable, whether you already know something about cannabis or are simply curious about the plant and its place in Amsterdam.

From ancient uses to modern cannabis culture The exhibition follows cannabis through different periods and societies, looking at hemp as a practical material, the medicinal use of cannabis and changing attitudes towards the plant. The story eventually reaches the Netherlands and the distinctive coffeeshop culture that developed in Amsterdam.

Plants, cultivation and science Live cannabis plants and educational displays give you a closer look at how the plant grows. Other parts of the exhibition explore cultivation, cannabinoids and some of the science behind cannabis, helping separate basic facts from the myths that often surround the subject.

Good to know Cannabis Museum Amsterdam is at Damstraat 6, between Dam Square and De Wallen. It is a different museum from the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum on Oudezijds Achterburgwal, so if the subject interests you, it is possible to visit both and compare their very different approaches. Check the museum’s current visitor information before you go.

Boerejongens takes a noticeably different approach to the traditional Amsterdam coffeeshop. Founded in 2007, the brand is known for polished interiors, knowledgeable staff and a strong focus on service and product information. With locations in Amsterdam West and the city centre, it is a good example of how the city’s coffeeshop culture has developed beyond the dark, no-frills shops many visitors still expect.

Design and atmosphere The interiors are deliberately refined, with marble, brass and details inspired by the Amsterdam School giving the shops an almost old-fashioned pharmacy feel. The neatly dressed neighbourhood hosts outside add to the distinctive look: their bowler hats and three-piece suits are difficult to miss.

Knowledgeable service Boerejongens puts considerable emphasis on staff training. Employees receive specialist cannabis education and can explain the menu, products and differences between them. That makes the experience particularly useful for visitors who would rather ask questions than simply point at something on a menu.

Choose the right location Boerejongens has more than one location, and they do not all offer exactly the same surroundings. The Amsterdam West branch is on Baarsjesweg, close to Overtoom and Vondelpark, while Boerejongens Centrum is on Utrechtsestraat, within easy walking distance of Rembrandtplein and the Amstel. Check which location fits best with the rest of your day before setting off.

Good to know You must be at least 18 years old to enter and should carry valid identification. Hard drugs are prohibited, as they are under the house rules of the coffeeshop. If cannabis is new to you, ask the staff for advice and take it slowly. Never drive after using cannabis.

Smokey sits directly on Rembrandtplein, putting it right in the middle of one of Amsterdam’s busiest nightlife areas. It is a large, lively coffeeshop with a noticeably more social atmosphere than many of the smaller places around the city. If you prefer somewhere where you can sit for a while and take in the buzz of the square, Smokey offers a very different experience from a quiet neighbourhood coffeeshop.

Atmosphere and vibe Smokey feels closer to a busy lounge than a discreet little coffeeshop. The interior is colourful, music adds to the atmosphere and there is plenty going on around you. Its central location naturally attracts an international crowd, particularly later in the day when Rembrandtplein starts shifting from sightseeing to nightlife.

More than a quick stop Unlike coffeeshops that are mainly geared towards buying and leaving, Smokey has seating and is a place where visitors tend to stay for a while. Drinks and snacks are available, and the location overlooking Rembrandtplein also makes it an interesting spot for watching the activity on the square.

Good to know Coffeeshop Smokey is at Rembrandtplein 24. Do not confuse it with Club Smokey at numbers 18–20 on the same square: they are separate venues. As with Amsterdam coffeeshops generally, you must be at least 18 and should carry valid identification. If you have little experience with cannabis, take it slowly and ask for advice. Never drive after using cannabis.

Abraxas is tucked away in the narrow Jonge Roelensteeg, just a few minutes from Dam Square but easy to miss if you do not know it is there. Its colourful, artistic interior and relaxed setting give it a very different character from the busy streets immediately outside. For visitors who want to sit down rather than simply buy and leave, Abraxas is one of the more distinctive coffeeshops in the historic centre.

Atmosphere and design Step inside and the mood changes quickly from the crowds around Dam Square. Warm lighting, decorative details and an imaginative interior give the coffeeshop its own character. It feels deliberately cosy rather than slick or minimalist, making the surroundings part of the experience rather than just a backdrop.

A place to slow down Abraxas is the kind of coffeeshop where sitting down for a while makes more sense than rushing in and out. Coffee and other drinks are available alongside the cannabis menu, and the central location makes it a convenient break while exploring the old centre. At busy times, particularly around weekends, finding a seat may take a little patience.

Good to know Abraxas is at Jonge Roelensteeg 12–14, hidden in a small lane between Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and the streets around Dam Square. Amsterdam coffeeshops are for visitors aged 18 and over, so carry valid identification. If you have little experience with cannabis, ask for advice and take it slowly. Never drive after using cannabis.

Green House Centrum sits on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, right in the heart of Amsterdam’s Red Light District. Set inside a historic canal house, it combines one of the city’s best-known coffeeshop names with a location that is unmistakably Amsterdam: canal views, old buildings and the busy streets of De Wallen just outside the door.

Atmosphere and location The setting is a big part of the appeal. You can sit inside or, when space and weather allow, take a seat on the small canal-side terrace. Despite being only a few minutes from Dam Square, the view across the Oudezijds Voorburgwal gives the coffeeshop a very different feel from places on the busier shopping streets.

A famous name in Amsterdam’s cannabis scene Green House has been part of Amsterdam’s coffeeshop culture since the early 1990s and has collected numerous cannabis awards over the years. The Centrum location has also become known for its celebrity visitors, with names such as Snoop Dogg, Woody Harrelson, Mike Tyson and A$AP Rocky among those highlighted by Green House itself.

Choose your Green House Green House has several coffeeshops in Amsterdam and they are not all the same. Centrum is the canal-side location on De Wallen, while Green House United is on Haarlemmerstraat, Green House Namaste is near Waterlooplein and Green House Pijp is on Tolstraat. Check the address before you go so you end up at the location you actually want to visit.

Good to know Green House Centrum is at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 191, about five minutes on foot from Dam Square. Amsterdam coffeeshops are for visitors aged 18 and over, so carry valid identification. If you have little experience with cannabis, ask for advice and take it slowly. Never drive after using cannabis.

Original Dampkring is tucked away on Handboogstraat, a narrow side street between the Singel and Amsterdam’s busy shopping centre. Open since 1993, it became internationally known after appearing in the 2004 film Ocean’s Twelve. The movie connection still brings visitors through the door, but the distinctive interior and old-school coffeeshop atmosphere give the place plenty of character of its own.

Atmosphere and design Dampkring is anything but minimalist. Sculpted surfaces, warm colours, wood and an eclectic mix of decorative details fill the relatively compact interior. It feels creative and slightly eccentric, especially compared with the cleaner, more modern style adopted by many newer coffeeshops. Because the space is not particularly large, it can feel busy at popular times.

A menu with useful detail One of the more helpful features is the way the cannabis menu describes aroma, flavour and expected effects rather than simply listing names. That can make choosing less confusing, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the products. If you are unsure, ask the staff for advice rather than choosing purely by name or strength.

The Ocean’s Twelve connection If the interior looks strangely familiar, there may be a reason. Scenes from Ocean’s Twelve, starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, were filmed inside Dampkring. The Hollywood connection became part of the coffeeshop’s story, although today it is just one chapter in a place that has been part of Amsterdam’s coffeeshop culture since the early 1990s.

Good to know Original Dampkring is at Handboogstraat 29, close to the Singel and only a short walk from Spui. Do not confuse it with Coffeeshop Amsterdam on Haarlemmerstraat, which was formerly known as Dampkring 2 but now operates under a different name. Amsterdam coffeeshops are for visitors aged 18 and over, so carry valid identification. If you have little experience with cannabis, take it slowly and never drive after using it.

The Bulldog The First is closely connected with the early history of Amsterdam’s modern coffeeshop culture. Founder Henk de Vries opened the original location in 1975, after transforming a former sex shop he had inherited from his father. Today, it remains at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 90 in De Wallen. The Bulldog describes it as the world’s first coffeeshop.

Where The Bulldog story began The original idea was surprisingly simple: create a relaxed living-room atmosphere where people could meet, talk and spend time together. That history is still very visible inside The First. Look around and you will find old photographs, memorabilia, messages left by visitors over the years and plenty of references to the early days of Amsterdam’s coffeeshop culture.

A piece of coffeeshop history The First is not the slickest or newest Bulldog location, and that is really the point. This is the branch to visit if you are interested in where the brand started. Its colourful interior, canal-side setting and long history give it a character that the newer locations cannot quite reproduce.

More than one Bulldog The Bulldog has grown far beyond its original coffeeshop and now operates several venues in Amsterdam. One of the most unusual is The Bulldog Ex-Police Station at Leidseplein 17, which opened in 1985 inside a former Amsterdam police station. The original, however, remains The Bulldog The First on Oudezijds Voorburgwal.

Good to know The Bulldog The First is at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 90, in the heart of De Wallen. Amsterdam coffeeshops are for visitors aged 18 and over, so carry valid identification and follow the house rules. If you have little experience with cannabis, ask for advice and take it slowly. Never drive after using cannabis.

The Dolphins is one of Amsterdam’s more playful-looking coffeeshops, tucked away on Kerkstraat just a short walk from Leidseplein. It has been around since 1985, but what visitors tend to remember is the interior: an underwater world of dolphins, marine details and a spacious lounge that feels very different from the streets outside.

Go downstairs The underwater theme runs throughout the coffeeshop, but the lounge is where the concept really comes together. Comfortable seating, aquatic decoration and music create a relaxed setting where you can stay for a while rather than simply buy something and leave. The upstairs area feels more like a café, while downstairs is where you get more of the distinctive Dolphins atmosphere.

A place to sit and take your time Dolphins offers table service and plenty of space to settle in with a drink. That makes it a useful choice if you are looking for an actual break during a day in central Amsterdam rather than a quick stop at a counter. Wi-Fi is available as well.

Edibles as well as cannabis Alongside its cannabis menu, Dolphins sells a selection of Sweetsins edibles, including brownies, muffins and stroopwafels. Edibles can take longer to produce an effect than inhaled cannabis, so if you have little experience with them, ask the staff for advice and start cautiously.

Good to know The Dolphins is at Kerkstraat 39, within walking distance of Leidseplein, the Flower Market and the Rijksmuseum. You must be at least 18 years old to visit an Amsterdam coffeeshop, so carry valid identification. If you use cannabis, never drive afterwards.

Easy Times sits on Prinsengracht, giving this modern coffeeshop one of the nicer canal-side settings in central Amsterdam. Its location between the Canal Belt and the Leidseplein area makes it easy to include in a day exploring the centre, whether you are walking along the canals or heading towards the museums and nightlife further south.

Atmosphere and setting Inside, Easy Times has a contemporary look with warm lighting and comfortable seating. The atmosphere is generally relaxed and informal, making it a place where you can sit for a while rather than simply stop at the counter and leave.

Canal-side seating When the weather cooperates, the seats outside are one of the main reasons to choose this location. Sitting beside the Prinsengracht gives you a front-row view of one of Amsterdam’s most famous canals, with bicycles, boats and everyday city life passing by.

Menu and advice Easy Times offers a changing selection of cannabis products, so it makes more sense to look at the current menu when you arrive than to rely on an old list online. If you are unfamiliar with cannabis or unsure about a particular product, ask the staff for information and take it slowly.

Good to know Easy Times is at Prinsengracht 476, within walking distance of Leidseplein, the Flower Market and several parts of the Canal Belt. Amsterdam coffeeshops are for visitors aged 18 and over, so carry valid identification. Never drive after using cannabis.