Topic: Amsterdam

[brownie 09]

Just come back from Amsterdam - loved the place and cant wait to go back

first time?

Hopefully be able to go again before the end of the year. Will be my 3rd visit in two years.

[cloggypop]

Hoping to go later this year, is it worth going in the winter or should I wait until spring? Also, if anybody could recommend cheap accommodation it'd be appreciated

The law change comes in for the whole of The Netherlands on 1st January 2013 . If you want to be guaranteed smoking in a coffee shop then come over before then .

[Millie]

first time?

Hopefully be able to go again before the end of the year. Will be my 3rd visit in two years.

Yep and will definitely be going back

[aaronaldo]

Heading over next sunday,will be there for 2 nights/3 days. First time im going,can anyone reccomend any bars,restaurants,"cafes"?
Will also be there for the arsenal game so will have to find a decent place to watch that.

Thanks for your help

[TheFooFighter]

Heading over next sunday,will be there for 2 nights/3 days. First time im going,can anyone reccomend any bars,restaurants,"cafes"?
Will also be there for the arsenal game so will have to find a decent place to watch that.

Thanks for your help

My one and only recommendation is "Lost in Amsterdam", They have a comfy area down stairs, all the barmaids are fit and you get table service but you can actually smoke and have a pint indoors. Every time I got to Amsterdam I waste away in that place, fucking brilliant it is.

Oh and just to add you cant actually buy weed in there but Barneys is just down the road and that is always my favourite place, bud tenders are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable so if you aint an experienced smoker they will help you get the right stuff depending on what you want etc.

[aaronaldo]

My one and only recommendation is "Lost in Amsterdam", They have a comfy area down stairs, all the barmaids are fit and you get table service but you can actually smoke and have a pint indoors. Every time I got to Amsterdam I waste away in that place, fucking brilliant it is.

Oh and just to add you cant actually buy weed in there but Barneys is just down the road and that is always my favourite place, bud tenders are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable so if you aint an experienced smoker they will help you get the right stuff depending on what you want etc.

Cheers mate,that will help alot!

[stoa]

Will be spending a couple of days in Holland. Most of the time will be work-related stuff with loads of appointments. However, I have a free morning on Saturday. I want to do something for my personal benefit and was thinking about visiting "The Ajax Experience" (http://english.ajax.nl/Ajax-Experience/Visitor-Information/Welcome.htm). Has anyone ever been there and is it worth going? I'd also like to know how taking a tour works. From what is on the website, I take it you go there before the full hour, get a ticket and are taken on one of the tours. No need to book in advance, if I'm by myself, right? If anyone has been, how long does it take (says about an hour on that website), because I'll be flying back home Saturday afternoon. Are there usually many people doing this (especially since it's a Saturday)?

[sirjames]

Going on friday with the bird. should be good!

[stoa]

Does she have a sister?

The prices for ale are fucking mental though. I paid 5 Euros for what was not even half a litre. Some other guy from my "travel-group" paid 7 Euros for the same in a different boozer. Luckily the time I was buying a round I only had to get those Geneva or whatever it is called (the thing they call wine despite it being some kind of schnaps). Only paid 12 Euros for 4 of them...

[kavah]

Genever is Dutch Gin, the Ale is expensive mind.

[cloggypop]

Beer should be about 4.50 but can be a fair bit more especially on a square or other tourist spot .
There are happy hours all over the place though . Heres a good one
http://www.livearoundamsterdam.com/venue.php?recordID=13 . Susie's Saloon . Place next door has the same deals .

Heres one that starts as that one finishes . Also a later one .
http://www.cocosoutback.com/

Should be loads on Waarmoesstraat as well . Greenhouse Effect has one at 6 then one later I think . This area can vary loads in price . Grasshopper is expensive .

[Effes]

My one and only recommendation is "Lost in Amsterdam", They have a comfy area down stairs, all the barmaids are fit and you get table service but you can actually smoke and have a pint indoors. Every time I got to Amsterdam I waste away in that place, fucking brilliant it is.

Oh and just to add you cant actually buy weed in there but Barneys is just down the road and that is always my favourite place, bud tenders are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable so if you aint an experienced smoker they will help you get the right stuff depending on what you want etc.

Wonder Bar on the same strip is great too

[Cracking Left Foot]

Will be spending a couple of days in Holland. Most of the time will be work-related stuff with loads of appointments. However, I have a free morning on Saturday. I want to do something for my personal benefit and was thinking about visiting "The Ajax Experience" (http://english.ajax.nl/Ajax-Experience/Visitor-Information/Welcome.htm). Has anyone ever been there and is it worth going? I'd also like to know how taking a tour works. From what is on the website, I take it you go there before the full hour, get a ticket and are taken on one of the tours. No need to book in advance, if I'm by myself, right? If anyone has been, how long does it take (says about an hour on that website), because I'll be flying back home Saturday afternoon. Are there usually many people doing this (especially since it's a Saturday)?

I went to Ajax's stadium about 5 years back, it's great. As you say, you can just rock up and buy a ticket. I'm not sure of the deal on Saturdays, as I went mid-week, but the tour takes about an hour, and then you're left to your own devices in the club shop and museum. Maybe best not going in the museum if your time is limited as it's fascinating, and they show rolling clips of past players (I'd guess this is now updated so there'll be lots of clips of Suarez when he was there).

One of the former youth players was our guide, I told him I was a Red, and it was just after we'd bought Ryan Babel. Turns out he used to train with Babel, and was a good mate of his.

[stoa]

Genever is Dutch Gin, the Ale is expensive mind.

whatever it is, I didn't really like it. Same goes for Bitterballs they're just awful...

We're staying at the RHO-hotel in NES-road and we the "smallest pub in town" is right around the corner. Shitloads of scarves on the ceiling and the stairs to the toilets are just mental...

[JerseyKloppite]

whatever it is, I didn't really like it. Same goes for Bitterballs they're just awful...

We're staying at the RHO-hotel in NES-road and we the "smallest pub in town" is right around the corner. Shitloads of scarves on the ceiling and the stairs to the toilets are just mental...

Bitterballen grew on me over the 6 months I lived there.

Can't believe it was this year, it feels like so long ago already.

[plasterered]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uPZIG5BHD4&feature=fvwrel

[cloggypop]

The tourist ban on weed is being reversed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20165371

[GBF]

The tourist ban on weed is being reversed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20165371

yipiiiiiiie!!!!!

[cim-pim-param]

Great Success!

[keano7]

Going to Amsterdam on a Geography Uni trip in late February. Never been before and wanting to know the major 'touristy' places? Not into smoking weed/special cakes etc so never been attracted to coming here! Thinking of going on the Ajax tour on our spare day and by looking online the metro seems the best option!

[Agger]

How does it work if you have traces of cannabis in your blood when you come back to your home country? For example, can I smoke in Amsterdam without trouble when I get back to Sweden (where it's illegal)?

I've read about some people who have been arrested when they've returned from Amsterdam, but surely they can't be convicted for it? If you're in Holland it's their laws you should follow. Someone said it's illegal to have it in your blood, even if it was in Amsterdam you smoked.

[The Gulleysucker]

Thinking of going on the Ajax tour on our spare day and by looking online the metro seems the best option!

Yes, very easy, about 15 minutes from Centraal by train. Get off at Bijlmer Arena  and you can't miss it.
Metro 54 from Centraal takes a little longer but also stops there.
Haven't been around there for a few years but the area used to be a bit dodgy in the evenings after dark.
Places to see....try and get to the art museums if you can, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh at the very least and if possible also Stedelijk, the modern art one.
Well worth it.

[cloggypop]

Going to Amsterdam on a Geography Uni trip in late February. Never been before and wanting to know the major 'touristy' places? Not into smoking weed/special cakes etc so never been attracted to coming here! Thinking of going on the Ajax tour on our spare day and by looking online the metro seems the best option!

You can get either a train or the metro to Bijlmer for the Arena tour .
Tourist areas depends on what you are into . Arts or whores ?
I will guess at Arts and recommend around the Museumplein . If you are going to a few museums / galleries then get a museum card first as it works out cheaper and you will not have to queue . Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are excellent .
If you want to see the Anne Frank house definitely book online first as the place is tiny but very popular . The queues can be massive .
http://www.annefrank.org/en/Museum/Practical-information/Online-ticket-sales/
The Heineken brewery tour is very popular and includes a free bar at the end of it . Online tickets are available to save queueing and 2 euro cheaper as well .
http://tickets.heinekenexperience.com/heineken/auto_choose_ga.asp?area=1

Vondel Park usually has stuff going on and there are generally enough lunatics wandering around the city to make things entertaining . Plenty of bars with decent Dutch and excellent Belgian beer .

If you are into your music then Amsterdam has a lot of bands playing . These are the main two venues .
http://www.melkweg.nl/voorpagina.jsp?language=nederlands&disciplineid=muziek
http://www.paradiso.nl/web/show

This is useful as a general what is there to do

http://www.timeout.com/amsterdam/

[JerseyKloppite]

Going to Amsterdam on a Geography Uni trip in late February. Never been before and wanting to know the major 'touristy' places? Not into smoking weed/special cakes etc so never been attracted to coming here! Thinking of going on the Ajax tour on our spare day and by looking online the metro seems the best option!

Do some kind of canal tour if you can, though try to avoid the rip-offs. They are a good laugh and can be boozy, which can improve the value for money (as beer is pretty expensive there!)

[mbyx6cg2]

Going back to Amsterdam for the second time this year on Saturday, just for the night mind but still 

Genever is Dutch Gin, the Ale is expensive mind.

This stuff is fucking horrible

[keano7]

Yes, very easy, about 15 minutes from Centraal by train. Get off at Bijlmer Arena  and you can't miss it.
Metro 54 from Centraal takes a little longer but also stops there.
Haven't been around there for a few years but the area used to be a bit dodgy in the evenings after dark.
Places to see....try and get to the art museums if you can, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh at the very least and if possible also Stedelijk, the modern art one.
Well worth it.

You can get either a train or the metro to Bijlmer for the Arena tour .
Tourist areas depends on what you are into . Arts or whores ?
I will guess at Arts and recommend around the Museumplein . If you are going to a few museums / galleries then get a museum card first as it works out cheaper and you will not have to queue . Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are excellent .
If you want to see the Anne Frank house definitely book online first as the place is tiny but very popular . The queues can be massive .
http://www.annefrank.org/en/Museum/Practical-information/Online-ticket-sales/
The Heineken brewery tour is very popular and includes a free bar at the end of it . Online tickets are available to save queueing and 2 euro cheaper as well .
http://tickets.heinekenexperience.com/heineken/auto_choose_ga.asp?area=1

Vondel Park usually has stuff going on and there are generally enough lunatics wandering around the city to make things entertaining . Plenty of bars with decent Dutch and excellent Belgian beer .

If you are into your music then Amsterdam has a lot of bands playing . These are the main two venues .
http://www.melkweg.nl/voorpagina.jsp?language=nederlands&disciplineid=muziek
http://www.paradiso.nl/web/show

This is useful as a general what is there to do

http://www.timeout.com/amsterdam/

Do some kind of canal tour if you can, though try to avoid the rip-offs. They are a good laugh and can be boozy, which can improve the value for money (as beer is pretty expensive there!)

Cheers for the info lads. Amsterdam ArenA, Anne Frank's House and the Van Gough Museum are three dead certs so far.

[Another Red]

How does it work if you have traces of cannabis in your blood when you come back to your home country? For example, can I smoke in Amsterdam without trouble when I get back to Sweden (where it's illegal)?

I've read about some people who have been arrested when they've returned from Amsterdam, but surely they can't be convicted for it? If you're in Holland it's their laws you should follow. Someone said it's illegal to have it in your blood, even if it was in Amsterdam you smoked.

Relax. We went through Abu Dhabi on the way over and back and didn't have a problem. Not sure about the laws in Sweden but I'd imagine they'd be more relaxed than in the UAE. Just make sure you don't have any on you or any traces on your clothes/shoes. Yes, it's illegal to have it in your bloodstream but nobody is going to test you unless you give them reason to do so.

I absolutely loved Amsterdam. We went to a game at the Amsterdam arena, Anne Frank Huis & Van Gogh Museum (Hermitage), which were all incredible. It's also nice to wander by the canals (inebriated/stoned) and listen to the bells of the Western Church. Red Light district was an eye opener. Let's just say there was a gulf in quality between the ladies on display Friday night & Saturday morning.

[Effes]

The tourist ban on weed is being reversed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20165371

Quite right - it was a mad decision in the first place

[Agger]

Relax. We went through Abu Dhabi on the way over and back and didn't have a problem. Not sure about the laws in Sweden but I'd imagine they'd be more relaxed than in the UAE. Just make sure you don't have any on you or any traces on your clothes/shoes. Yes, it's illegal to have it in your bloodstream but nobody is going to test you unless you give them reason to do so.

I absolutely loved Amsterdam. We went to a game at the Amsterdam arena, Anne Frank Huis & Van Gogh Museum (Hermitage), which were all incredible. It's also nice to wander by the canals (inebriated/stoned) and listen to the bells of the Western Church. Red Light district was an eye opener. Let's just say there was a gulf in quality between the ladies on display Friday night & Saturday morning.

Doubt there's any country that's more uptight about marijuana than Sweden. Thanks for the reply.  

[RichardM]

Going in a couple of weeks with Uni. Can't wait!

[Jezzman]

Going to Amsterdam in early December. Was checking out a concert I want to go to. Anyone been to the Paradiso in Amsterdam?

[DutchRed]

Going to Amsterdam in early December. Was checking out a concert I want to go to. Anyone been to the Paradiso in Amsterdam?

Obviously me. Lovely place.

[DutchRed]

How does it work if you have traces of cannabis in your blood when you come back to your home country? For example, can I smoke in Amsterdam without trouble when I get back to Sweden (where it's illegal)?

I've read about some people who have been arrested when they've returned from Amsterdam, but surely they can't be convicted for it? If you're in Holland it's their laws you should follow. Someone said it's illegal to have it in your blood, even if it was in Amsterdam you smoked.

As long as you're able to prove you come from Amsterdam, there's probably no problem

[DutchRed]

The tourist ban on weed is being reversed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20165371

It's not, but Amsterdam is just not going to stick to it. Called it straightaway. Whether you like it or not, it's one of our unique selling points.

[Motty]

It's not, but Amsterdam is just not going to stick to it. Called it straightaway. Whether you like it or not, it's one of our unique selling points.

well in, looks like another visit to the best city in the world will be on the cards soon
Anyone know what the name of the nightclub is which has a cell just off the dance floor as a seating area (no it wasn't a dominatrix joint ) it was about a 10 minute walk from dam square and on the main road not down a side road. Went there a couple of years ago and it was one of the best clubs I've been to in a while, but can't remember the name?

[Motty]

10 minute walk in what direction mate? One way would be up the Damrak in the direction of the Central Station, the other way would be down Rokin towards Rembrandtplein?

if your looking at the square from the road its in the left direction

[DutchRed]

Given by the description my instinct tells me it's got to be near Rembrandtplein. Just gut feeling mind.

[Motty]

Im drawing a blank. Okay, lets try this differently. If you stand with your back to the WWII monument, y'know, the one that looks like a giant penis is it on your left or right hand side?

right

[DutchRed]

Probably is. That entire area is full of clubs like the one he described haha

That's why, since the route from Dam square towards the station isn't really action-packed.

[Motty]

Probably is. That entire area is full of clubs like the one he described haha

got a taxi to the club, and was to wrecked when I left to notice anything around the area when I left
I'll just have to try them all next time I'm in town until I find it