I always passed this place by on my way to other coffeeshops, and it took my good friend Lee Bridges, the Cannabis Poet to steer me in one day, as this is one of his favorite haunts.
James the proprietor and barman and dealer is the cool dude with a long ponytail made from dreads (one of the longest I’ve ever seen). Last time I was in he had me cracking up with his funny comments.
The shop has three outside tables that fill up fast on nice days. You can’t beat the view at the intersection of two canals, with the Zuiderkerk clock tower looming above (one of my favorite views).
Inside the walls are full of posters for upcoming events so it’s a good place to come to find out what’s going on in town.
Basjoe’s get’s high marks for service because they have a different attitude towards their customers than most coffeeshops. The staff is friendly, the smoothies are excellent and they even have table service. Now that’s cool!
If you want a good deal on hash, from a friendly & funny dealer, visit Basjoe’s on the Kloveniersburgwal.
Tip: The Himalayan black hash is some of the best in town. It’s soft, smooth and almost out-of-body. James always has excellent weed, which he says is now all organic! He has some really sweet stuff going down. Try the Special Haze or just ask James what’s good today.
This place has become much more popular lately (I wonder why?). Good goin’ James Leonardo! If you visit say hi from the HipTravelGuide, and they’ll treat you right!
Category Archives: Hip Guide to Amsterdam
Stix
Utrechtstraat 21
This place has a different feel than most coffeeshops. Wood tables and benches are well designed and comfortable. Vibe is good, lots of locals popping in. Worth checking out!
Also at: Korte Koningsstraat 2
Cheech & Chong’s
Coffeeshop in Amsterdam in it’s second incarnation.
Abraxas
This wonderful coffeeshop is tucked away in an alley just a block from the Dam square. Excellent smoke, a beautiful, trippy interior, and live DJ make this a popular place with locals and tourists.
One building was built originally as a coffeeshop and café to serve clientele from the neighborhoods many newspapers a hundred years ago. The scene abck then was filled with reporters out for a drink, a meal, or a smoke. Tobacco was king back then, not marijuana, but I’m sure a few crafty Dutch were smoking opium or hashish at the time. You can feel it in the Abraxas’ aura when you are there.
Info:
To find the Abraxas Coffeeshop from the Dam Square, look at Madam Tussaud’s Building, and notice the alley to the right of it called the Kalverstraat. Enter this alleyway, and look for the very first right-hand turn into the tiny alleyway named Jonge Rollensteeg. Keep going… it’s down at the other end by the Nieuwzijdes Voorburgwal on the right. There are several large neon signs.
Address:
Jonge Rollensteeg
Amsterdam 1012PL
Phone: 489-1933
Barney’s
Ex-pat paradise with coffeeshop, breakfast and the papers. Vegan/veggie or non. Open daily from 8 am ’til 8 pm. Cheerful and friendly place with good music.
Address:
Haarlemmerstraat 102
Amsterdam 1013
Phone: 020-625-9761
Kadinsky
Hip little spot right off the Spui. I love the vibes, the music (a treat to hear K&D chant about bug-powder dust while getting high) and the grass. Some of the tastiest, at good prices. Nice to sit at the big open window on sunny days and watch the people go by. Cappucino was great, and I will return for more of that bud. They offer an Internet terminal for the customers to use as well.
NOW WITH TWO LOCATIONS!
Coffeeshop Rusland
Funky little shop with great vibes and a fine selection of hash and grass. The afghan bud was sweetly memorable, and I enjoy hanging out here and letting the world go by. Nicely decorated, with beautiful glass lamps. Downstairs is a display of amazingly beautiful handblown glass pipes. The Rusland is on one of Amsterdam’s quietest streets, but in a great location near the center of town.
Check out their excellent Nederhash and their wonderful selection of bulk teas. The Edelweiss is super!
Extase
Now permanently closed by the city of Amsterdam, the small Coffeeshop Extase is/was located in the Red Light District, the Oude Hoogstraat. Offereing fresh orange juice, loud music, clouds of smoke, many interesting characters were to be found here! Lots of windows, plants and flowers made this a cheery place.
Baba
The Baba Coffeeshop is in a new location, see the map below to stumble upon it while doing your coffeeshop crawl.
HIGHLY rated!
Theeboot Coffeeshop
Once a wonderful place to hangout on an authentic Dutch canal boat. Now gone, it was legendary.