A coffee shop in the Netherlands is a place where you can purchase and consume soft drugs like marijuana or hashish (also known as cannabis). These establishments are licensed by the Dutch government to operate and they display a green-and-white sign at the entrance. In addition to drugs, most coffee shops sell food and drinks like tea, cocoa or freshly squeezed juices, and in some cases also alcohol. They must also have an age limit of 18+ and all customers must show their ID card upon entering.
The history of Coffee shops in the Netherlands dates back to the 1970s, when the country’s law made a distinction between ‘hard’ and ’soft’ drug use. Amsterdam is famous for its Coffee shops and it’s still a popular tradition to meet up with friends at one of these places and enjoy good music together while smoking some weed or hashish.
Nowadays, most of these Coffee shops have a more modern set up and they all have their own unique character. For example, Kadinsky on Rosmarijnsteeg is a popular choice among locals because of its talkative social atmosphere and friendly staff. It has a modern interior on three small levels with the entire front of the building being a window which opens up on nice days for people to smoke and watch the city go by.
Other coffee shops, like Barney’s on Haarlemmerstraat, are famous for their variety of strains and the friendly service. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff is what made them the winner of multiple High Times Cup awards. The Boerejongens chain is another popular coffeeshop, which has several locations throughout Amsterdam and is trendily decorated in an apothecary/drugstore style with white marble countertops.