Coffee Shops in the Red Light District: A Guide for Absolute Beginners
Introduction
Amsterdam’s Red Light District has earned itself a reputation for a certain atmosphere, great nightlife and cultural charms. Notorious for its red-lit windows and adult entertainment (which are legal establishments where one can purchase and consume cannabis products), the district also provides a range of coffee shops.
What are Coffee Shops?
Retail establishments involved in the sale of marijuana for personal consumption can be found on the Coffee shops in the Red Light District. The thing to note here is that not all cafes are coffee shops – no the coffee shops you see in your neighborhood aren’t cafes in the way that you go to cafes for some coffee. You can legally buy coffee shop cannabis products like marijuana flowers, pre rolled joints, hashish and edibles in coffee shops.
The Difference Between Coffee Shops and Cafes
The sale of marijuana is regulated in Dutch coffee shops and they can be found almost exclusively in the Red Light District. And they are strictly prohibited from selling any other drugs apart from cannabis. Unlike coffee shops, traditional cafes specially sell coffee, tea, and non alcoholic drinks that do not include the cannabis products.
Rules and Regulations
There are strict regulations regarding customers and shop owners both in coffee shops. Somewhere in the area lie a few important rules:
- To enter an average coffee shop you have to be 18 or older.
- It is illegal to carry anything over 5 grams of cannabis.
- A maximum of 5 grams of cannabis can be bought at each visit.
- Normally, smoking tobacco is not banned — though some coffee shops do have smoking areas — but they have both smoking and non smoking areas.
- It is illegal to consume cannabis products outside of cafes and you could receive a fine.
Popular Coffee Shops in the Red Light District
1. The Bulldog Palace
The Bulldog Palace is one of the most famous coffee shops in Amsterdam that is located on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal. It has a wide selection of cannabis products and interesting atmosphere.
2. Green House
Other popular coffee shop in the Red Light District is Green House due to their high quality weed and friendly staff. This is situated in the Tolstraat and has won various Cannabis Cup prizes over time.
3. Barney’s Coffeeshop
Barney’s Coffeeshop is situated on the Haarlemmerstraat and envied for its big menu which includes delicious edibles and potent marijuana strains. It’s a nice place to enjoy your experience with cannabis.
Tips for Visiting Coffee Shops
- You will need to bring your ID or passport in order to prove your age.
- If you’re new to cannabis, take it slow. Take small doses and increase it in case you want.
- Ask the staff for recommendations. Not knowing what you are looking for could ruin a deal, but they are attentive and will assist you in picking a quality product.
- Respect the rules and the staff’s guidelines.
- Most coffee shops do not accept credit cards so don’t forget to bring cash.
- Enjoy your experience responsibly.
Conclusion
A visit to the coffee shops in Amsterdam Red Light District can be an interesting and unique experience. Don’t forget to also know about the rules and regulations, use it on the best coffee shops and have your cannabis experience safely. Red Light District has something for everyone as well regardless of how experienced you are in your usage.
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