No more alcohol and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Nightlife Tips

Nightlife Spot: Coffeeshops in General

Just some general info for anyone going to Amsterdam who likes a smoke and a drink.

The newest law that has been implemented in the Netherlands means that you will no longer be able to buy cannabis in the same place as alcohol. Places such as Hill Street Blues and The Dampkring (who used to sell both) have now opened a second shop which serves alcohol and left there original shop selling cannabis and soft drinks. However, there way around this new law is to allow you to smoke cannabis in there 2nd shop, so basically you go to their original shop to buy your green, then walk over to there 2nd place where you can buy a beer. Places like the grasshopper who have several floors are still allowed to serve alcohol and cannabis on the same premises. In the basement you can buy food, soft drinks and cannabis. Then on their ground level floor upwards, you can buy alcohol and you are allowed to smoke on these floors.

Have fun.

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Theme: Adult Spot
Dress Code: No real dress code in coffeeshops at all. Just casual - whatever you want to wear - chill out!
Address: Post a message 4 the best coffeeshops, I'll answer
Directions: Anywhere in amsterdam

Nightlife Spot: The Melkweg & Heineken Music Hall

I love music! So therefore I love concerts. I rarely go to concerts in the UK because I find them pretty tame!

However, I've found concerts in Amsterdam do be absolutely brilliant! The 2 best concerts have been Busta Rhymes in the Heineken Music Hall, and De La Soul in The Melkweg.

The Heineken Music Hall seemed to hold about 3,000 people (you'd need to check for exact numbers). It has 2 Heienken bars in the hall itself, one along each side of the hall. Everybody was dancing and singing! Smoking Cannabis was allowed, and Busta & Spliff star saved a song for them to have one themselves along with a bottle of Courvoisier.

The Melkweg was a lot smaller, it only seemed about 800 people! But De La Soul rocked the show and it was fab! Once again there was a bar at the back of the hall and one down the right hand side. I asked the barman if I could roll a joint, which he answered if I'll share a bit with him, which I did gladly! This concert was absolutely banging!

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Theme: Concert
Dress Code: There arent any special dress requirements, I'd just say dress appropriately for the type of artist you're going to.

Oh, one last thing don't be silly enough to carry anything that could be seen as a weapon because they do search you in the Heineken Music Hall. But they are only looking for weapons, as smoking cannabis is allowed (but this can always depend on the artist - they can ask for no smoking - rarely happens because they usually have a puff onstage themselves)
Directions: Heineken Music Hall is by Amsterdam Arena a few train stops out of town.
The Melkweg is just off the Leidseplein, best to ask someone who works in the area to point you in the direction.