Amsterdam by Night: Coffee Shops
Now for those legendary Amsterdam coffee shops (a.k.a., places where you can smoke marijuana legally). Note that a ban on selling alcohol and cannabis in the same store went into effect in early 2007 (even though few coffee shops ever sold both). All coffee shops close by 1 a.m., it is the law.
The Dampkring near Spui square is featured in the film Ocean’s Twelve and its interior is reminiscent of something out of The Lord of the Rings (you will see what I mean). Also try Barneys on Harlaamerstraat; it has a restaurant attached serving up omelets and fine milkshakes.
By all means stay away from any locations of the Bulldog chain, and the Grasshopper just across from Centraal Station, they are soulless tourist traps in both pricing and atmosphere.
Coffeshop Rusland (“Russia” in Dutch) is fittingly on a street called Rusland and across from the Radisson SAS Hotel. If you care for tea with your smoke, there are more than forty varieties. You can also play chess.
Amsterdam by Night: Sports bars
Bars in the Red Light District offer English soccer seemingly at all hours, but sports fans from elsewhere in the world have basically two choices. Coco’s Outback in Rembrandtplein shows NFL and other American sports (when it doesn’t conflict with that European football), and its Australian theme and giant frosty mugs of Heineken make it a good place to watch a big game. Satellite Sports Café in Leidseplein has a similar slate of action, and offers full English breakfasts.
Amsterdam by Night: And finally, a rave
Into the rave scene or just curious? Check commercials in the Amsterdam Weekly. There are always parties in warehouse-type venues, on big boats, or in Amsterdam Noord, a semi-rural part of town just across the IJ, that massive waterway behind Centraal Station.
By Benjamin Cunningham
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