The authorities of the Netherlands make plans to ban the sale of drugs to tourists, which will likely lead to the closure of many coffee shops. Life of smokers has already been complicated by the fact that tobacco smoking in the room has recently been banned in Amsterdam. It seems that Amsterdam will soon be quite different. So, it is worth to go there now and walk along its best bars, according to Matador publication.
Trinity
This coffee shop is located out of the city center and away from the usual tourist routes. The easiest way to find it is asking for help from local residents. Inside you’ll find a great bar with a good selection of drinks, for a much lower price than is usually asked in the central streets. There are several tables for a game of pool, a large plasma screen equipped with separate smoking rooms. Under a friendly entourage of bar also relates its staff. They will be keenly interested in how you managed to find this hiding place, and will be sincerely happy that you called on them.
De Rokerij
This coffee shop is on the way to Leidsplein and is famous for its mystical atmosphere. All accommodation consists of one very long room with dim lights, and even more dark walls, the design which you can admire almost forever. “Coffee” is good, but regulars respect this place just for the atmosphere. As in so many places now, to smoke tobacco, you will not be allowed, offering a substitute in the form of herbal counterpart. Bar drinks are sold at quite a reasonable price, especially considering the location of the institution.
The Greenhouse
This network has three establishments in the city. Flagship is in the street of “red lights”. Perhaps, it is one of the most well-known in Amsterdam, and in proof of this, the walls of coffee-shop are decorated with photos of celebrities who used to come here. To somehow compensate for local high prices, alcohol in a bar is sold relatively inexpensively. Smoking indoors is forbidden, but there are few tables on the street, or else you will be offered free replacement of tobacco plant. But there are several caves in the walls, where you can retire and relax. Music is quite eclectic; the “Pink Floyd” and “Snoop Doga Dog” can easily follow one after the other.
The Grasshopper
Establishment is located between the Damrak and the area of “red lights” appears at once in three guises: a bar, restaurant and coffee shop. The latter is at the bottom, which is equipped with a special smoking room. TV is always turned on here, and music pours from the speakers. Staff is friendly, and prices pleasantly surprise.
Hunter’s Café
In this coffee-shop, located at the very beginning of the “red lights” street there are quite a lot of tourists. However gloomy decor of the establishment and many comfortable armchairs and sofas create a very suitable environment for relaxing and a place can be boldly recommended. Staff loves its customers and the prices are slightly lower than in the vicinity. Tobacco, as elsewhere, is under a ban, but you will always be offered its alternatives.
Dolphins
Everything in this place recalls the seabed. Walls are painted in blue and there are full pictures of the underwater world, and some where you can find almost real corals. Below you will find a bar and several tables. To smoke tobacco is forbidden here, but in the top you will be met with open arms by the comfortable couches. And if you miss your friends left at home – This hotel offers free Wi-Fi.
DampKring
This coffee shop became famous through the film «Ocean’s 12 friends”. Since then, people are constantly circulating in the districts who are trying to look like Brad Pitt or George Clooney. Accommodation in a spacious restaurant and the interior are dominated by various shades of orange, starting from walls to ashtrays. Drinks are sold at an average price, and they simply turn a blind eye to smoking in the room. An imposing cat usually sits in the window, who welcomes the incoming visitors.
