Jolly Joker

I’ve been to Amsterdam twice in the last 3 years. Tried many coffeeshops around the city. This my favorite coffeeshop by far. Not because of the quality weed, but because of the nice people working there. The weed was good also, but not the absolute best in the city. It has a laid-back atmosphere with good music and great hot chocolate. Free use of the bongs, which they will clean right before you use it. Backgammon and chess games available. More of an upscale interior with nice woodwork and brass finishes. Located at the edge of the Red light district near the Nuiewmarket, I think. Guido Rocks!

The Rookies

I had a chance to pop in here during the Cannabis Cup. Usually when I spot a pool table in a coffeeshop, I turn around and head elsewhere, but at The Rookies, it’s more of an after thought, rather than the primary focus of activity.

I think The Rookies works because it’s got a more open feel than most narrow, cramped coffeeshops. You can sit most anywhere in the room and observe everything going on. I chose to sit by the pool table, which turned out to be unwise as I was getting a lot of ass in my face when they weren’t taking aim at it with the backend of a pool cue. Fortunately this was noticed by one of the staff who rushed over and moved around a few tables to create more room for those shooting pool.

I enjoyed the tunes playing on their superior sound system. A little Van Morrison and other upbeat music give the place a lot of character, and set the happy tone here. While it’s not exactly my cup of tea, lots of young people like this cheery place.

Info:

Address:
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 145-147
Amsterdam

Rokerij

Now permanently closed by the City of Amsterdam, all three locations are gone. This review is for historical purposes only.

I tried to visit the Rokerij during the 2002 Cannabis Cup, and found it next to impossible to find a seat. This place is very popular, thanks to the dj spinning cool tunes, really good smoke and a nice large room in the back to chill and be seen by the hip set.

The crowd during the cup seemed to be an interesting blend of Americans, other foreigners and Dutch locals. If I could’ve found a seat perhaps I could tell you more. I even returned the day after the cup ended, and still found no place to sit and would’ve waited, but the thick cigarette smoke drove me out.

There are two other Rokerijs open now. One across from Central Station, the other at Amstel 8. All had nice interiors.

Amnesia

This is a very pleasant Coffeeshop on the Herengracht with outdoor seating. It’s one of the few places in town that specializes in organically grown weed. I enjoyed the comfortable interior with nice cushions and pillows, hand painted tables by Zoe, and mellow music that set the mood.
Update: I visited the Amnesia again for one of their Vaporizer Parties. It was packed full of happy people toking up the clean vapors from two vaporizers kept going thanks to the Amnesia and the hard-working, knowledgeable folks from the Cannabis College.
The party was livened up by a guy outside playing the saw. Yes, the saw. It sounded real eerie, like a theramin or a sci-fi soundtrack. Inside a DJ was spinning mellow house music while a very good trumpet player was layin’ down some Miles Davis’ riffs which really made that house music fly with the jazz adding the needed melody.
Amnesia was also featuring it’s new fountain style drinks, the EXACT same kind we used to get back in the ol’ soda fountain daze in New York. We’re talkin’ da kine milkshakes, ice cream sodas, vanilla cokes, lime rickeys, malteds (I couldn’t resist a chocolate malt that took me waaay back), and most unusual for Amsterdam, the famous NYC egg cream!
What more could you want for the raving munchies, but a cool fountain drink to set it right. The fountain drinks alone will make me a regular there.
Smokewise the Amnesia has a good selection of organically grown pot including Bio Sage and Amnesia Haze. But the most impressive smoke I tried there was the King Hassan Supreme hashish (fresh, with an incredibly good taste), at 11 Euros a gram and their Ice-o-lator hash (18 Euros a gram – the most expensive smoke in the house). Skip the Manali (tastes like crap).
So sit back, have a great drink, a good smoke, and dig the music at the Amnesia!

Address:
Herengracht 133
Amsterdam 1015 BG

Phone: 020-427 7874

Boulder, Colorado

“As one who has lived in and visited Boulder, CO over the years, I must warn everybody not to judge a book by it’s cover. Sure, Boulder is a very hip & fun town, but times are changing. Due to an ever-increasing influx of “hippies”, Deadheads, Phishheads, etc., the local law enforcement has been cracking down on the free-spirited mentality of our lifestyle. I have personally witnessed numerous human rights violations & unnecessary arrests all stemming from pressure by the local government & Boulder residents to “clean up the town”. I mean, how many places can you go where both you AND YOUR DOG get arrested in the same day?!!! Don’t laugh, because it has happened!”

Paonia, Colorado

This is a Hippie Haven from way back. In fact all of the hippies in Boulder that didn’t become wealthy yuppies (and some that did) are now in Paonia and have been for quite some time. Paonia is on the western slopes of Colorado. It still is an affordable place to live for hippies, unlike Boulder. We even have a person in the next town over, Hotchkiss, who is named Hippy Lereaux (quite an infamous character, a real outlaw).

Santa Cruz, California

I’m not sure there is really a large population of hippies IN Santa Cruz–it’s kind of a melting pot of all types of people–but if you’re looking for some really beautiful scenery, kind people, and totally peaceful chillin’, head to one of the towns a little bit north of Santa Cruz. Felton, Boulder Creek, Bonny Doon…it’s way mellow there, and everyone’s basically into mother nature and their brothers and sisters. It’s also real close to the ocean. It’s one of the prettiest areas you can imagine…head there on your travels. You won’t be sorry!