In addition to all of Amsterdam’s coffeeshop, there are plenty of spacy hangouts which perfectly welcomes the stoned mind. It is no secret that Amsterdam is a wonderland fun fair for stoners, but the most interesting and coolest places are often hidden gems overlooked by mainstream tourism. This is no question a good thing, as these places are special precisely because they have remained local and authentic. Still, if you truly want to experience the Amsterdam spirit, this is where you will find it.
The green heart of Amsterdam, and by far the best place to spend a warm and sunny day. During the summer months the park is packed with Amsterdammers, but the park is big enough to offer calm secluded spots. With its green parrots, ponds, bridges and secret hideaways, as well as the steady stream of people of all ages, dogs, bikes and hippies, the Vondel Park is a lovely place to smoke a spliff or enjoy a light mushroom trip. We recommend the south end for more peace and quiet, and the north end if you’re after the crowds. There is a café in the middle of the park where you can use the toilet for free.
OT301
The OCCII (Onafhankelijk Cultureel Centrum In It) is a venue for alternative and independent music, located close to the Vondel Park. The organization is mostly run by volunteers and has its roots in the squatting movement; the building was squatted in 1984 and "legalized" in 1989. Next to the concert hall, there's also a café (called the Kasbah), a restaurant (called MKZ), a library (Bollox), theatre for children (Kinderpret), a bike workshop (Farafina), a sauna (Fenomeen), rehearsal studios, and a big courtyard. The OCCII has no central programming, instead there are several programming groups that set the agenda. Some of these groups are Le Club Suburbia (indie and post-punk), Hex (new wave and gothic), Muziek Kapot Moet (experimental music, electronic, noise, weird pop), Spellbound (electronic, dance), The Real Amsterdam Underground (punk, hardcore, crust) and Cool Schmool (dance, indie, riot grrrl, mostly female fronted).
Website: http://occii.org/
One of the projects at OCCII, the “hippiesauna” Fenomeen deserves some special mentioning. A huge space with very open minded naked people, here you can drop all your clothes and feel as free as you never have before. There are Turkish steambaths, Finnish saunas, solarium, resting rooms, cold baths, massage rooms, a cafeteria, and a secluded outside square. Tuesday is the stoner-day of the week at this place, when pure weed spliffs are smoked all over the facilities, also inside the saunas. On other days you have to smoke your doop in the outside square. It is fantastic to be high in the sauna, it is absolutely worth a try. If you are a shy lady, you should know that Mondays are women only.
A truly unique Amsterdammian experience, the Mezrab is another cultural hub, which mixes the elements of Persian tea house, music jam sessions, art exhibitions, workshops, dance events, debates and discussions, film nights, and so much more. It is located in the East of Amterdam, close to the Oosterpark, but is definitely worth the detour. Our favourite evening of the month is when the Mezrab family invites to their monthly storytelling night. Mama cooks her delicious soup, and everyone sits around on big cushions and couches, drinking tea and listening to each other’s stories; some true and some not. You don’t have to say anything, you can also sit back and enjoy. There are plenty of breaks to catch a smoke outside. Story telling night is in English once a month, always on a Friday. Check their website for dates and agenda. Take tram 9 from central station and get off at tram stop “Eerste van Swindestraat”, just next to the Oosterpark.
Website: http://www.mezrab.nl/
Across the Amstel river lies the East of Amsterdam, a part of town blooming with ethnic minorities, vibrant cafes, funky markets and beautiful parks. The largest and arguably most beautiful park is the Oosterpark (the East park), which in good weather is filled with locals of all ages, dog walkers, drummers playing djembe and the odd clown. Every June the Oosterpark really comes to life during the annual Roots Open Air Festival, when dozens of musicians and dancers from all over the world joins the Amsterdammers in a melting pot of culture, music, food and celebration in the Oosterpark. Another phenomenon exclusive to the Oosterpark is the “parrot assembly” – every night every single green parrot of Amsterdam gathers together, always in the same tree, always at the same timeslot (around 9-10 pm). Nobody knows why the parrots do this, I suppose they too have a way of socializing and discussing important issues. It is a fabulous sight nonetheless, and very enjoyable to smoke a joint on the grass and observe their chatter. Just make sure you don’t sit under the tree – you will regret that. To find the tree, aim for the southeast gate. The tree is just next to the fence bordering to Linneausstraat. If you can’t find it, just follow the stream of green parrots flying in from all of Amsterdam.
While you’re in the East, you might as well check out one of the more local squats. Joe’s Garage have events a couple of times every week. Every Monday and Thursday the bar is open and they serve food. These nights are great fun and you are likely to find yourself having the most intense conversations. Every Saturday they have an anti-capitalist “give away shop”, where everything in the shop is free. There are clothes, books, stuff, junk, whatever. Some is junk, but there are also amazing treasures to find. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the neighbourhood. Joe sometimes also show movies on a big screen on Wednesdays. Smoking joints is more than welcomed inside, they also have a courtyard for fresh air.
Website: http://www.joesgarage.nl/
Website: http://www.joesgarage.nl/
As this is a hotel, it might not be the most “local” hangout spot on the list. Yet, its bar, the Hemple Temple Nightbar, has some virtues which attracts all sorts of night owls; locals, ex-pats and alternative minded tourists, all of which make excellent company in the early hours. Hemp Hotel is a nice little hangout, also very convenient as it is a bar with all the beer and liquor you could dream of, and smoking joints are allowed inside the bar – despite the recent tobacco ban in Holland. It is just like the old days when many coffeeshops also had an alcohol licence. The Hemp Bar is open virtually all night, so when everything else is closed, you can still get a drink and smoke your joint at the Hemp Hotel. The staff is ever friendly, cheerful and always up for a chat, and you are likely to come across the strangest of people in an all night hemp bar in Amsterdam. Definitely an experience! And of course, if you get too comfortable they might have a room available for crashing.
Website: http://www.hemp-hotel.com/
Website: http://www.hemp-hotel.com/
Now that the Netherlands have implemented a smoking ban, going to concerts is not what it used to be. Whereas we used to stand in the moshpit watching legendary bands and musicians, sharing joints with anyone and everyone, not giving the slightest worry to anything, today there is no more smoking inside the big establishments sush as Melkeweg and Paradiso. A shame, but there is still fantastic stuff going on in these venues, make sure to check out their agendas. They are legendary, all the greats have played and often recorded live albums here, Paradiso in particular, located in an old church, is famed in the music world.
Website Paradiso: www.paradiso.nl
Website Melkweg: www.melkweg.nl
Website Paradiso: www.paradiso.nl
Website Melkweg: www.melkweg.nl
