"One of the older, original and classy coffeeshops" Coffeeshops Tip by davequ

Intro:

Note: This tip is for older, first-time visitors who may be curious but possibly apprehensive about coffeeshops.
Greenhouse Tolstraat is more expensive and a little more "formal" than most, so if you're a hardcore channelite, etc. you know to skip this tip entirely. Audience for this tip is for the uninitiated.

October 12 2001

For a more laid-back, mellow, "upscale" coffeehouse experience (best for 1rst-time "mature" travellers), take a cab or tram from Amsterdam Centrum to the "old south" (Oud Zuid) section of Amsterdam to the Original Greenhouse on Tolstraat.
There are 2 other Greenhouse locations that are closer to city center, but this is the original and (imho) the best.... worth the cab ride.

Here's a MAP of the Oud Sud Greenhouse (my fave).

Excellent atmosphere/ambience with good music (mellow yet cool funk/jazz, but not elevator music), top quality cannibis products, served by a helpful staff.

The dealer and waitress make good recommendations, provide efficient yet inexpensive glass pipes & round up screens;

as well as bring drinks to the table in the very cool and comfortable lounge (they serve alcohol as well), chat customers up with friendly conversation, yet allow privacy.
They will even call a cab (a friendly/helpful driver they know personally) for a ride back to your hotel.
A perfect, first-time night out at a Dam coffeehouse.

Dress Code: As always in Amsterdam, clothing is sometimes optional but usually recommended.

Seriously, the more "local" you appear, & the less brash & touristy you behave, the friendlier the service.

Recommendations:

Haven't been there in a couple of years, but back then some highlights were:

Hashish: King Hassan Supreme, Manali Creme - Greenhouse Ice
Weed: Kali or Super Kali Mist (good sativa), Great White Shark; AK47 Super Lemon Haze
Greenhouse Tolstraat is a little more expensive than most coffeeshops, but for first-time, more mature travellers, it is (imho) one of the larger (most coffeeshops are tiny) cleaner, classier shops and a great introduction to the Amsterdam coffeehouse scene. (Later on you can do Picasso, grey area, Anyday, Siberie, Dampkrig/Dutch Flowers/Tweede Kamer (the big 3 in the Spui) etc. etc. ad infinitum if coffeeshops are your scene... (I find them tedious after a while).

Address: Tolstraat 91 in "Old South" (Oud Zuid) section
Directions: Below Centrum - take a cab to the Tolstraat 91 address.

Take a cab, unless you know the trams. It's in Old South, a long walk from center of town, but worth the trip.
Phone: 020 6737430
Theme: Adult Spot
Website: http://www.greenhouse.org