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You're in Amsterdam, you've heard about coffeeshops, and now you're standing on a street trying to figure out which door to walk through. This is a practical guide — no cliché, no winking. Just what to expect.

First, what a coffeeshop actually is.

A coffeeshop in Amsterdam is a licensed venue that serves coffee, tea and soft drinks. Cannabis is also legally tolerated (not the same as legal) for personal consumption on the premises. Coffeeshops are regulated under AHOJGI / Opiumwet — no alcohol, no advertising, no minors, no hard drugs.

This is not a bar. There's no DJ. Nobody is going to pressure you. Walk in, sit down, order a coffee. You can ask the staff anything — that's what they're there for.

What to bring.

• ID. Passport, EU ID card or driving licence. Some places check, some don't — bring it anyway.
• Cash. Most places take Dutch debit (PIN). Foreign cards can be hit or miss. Have a backup in cash, especially smaller notes.
• Time. Don't squeeze a coffeeshop visit into a 20-minute window. Give it an hour or two.

How it usually goes.

You walk in. Someone says hello. You either order a drink at the counter first and find a seat, or you go straight to ask about cannabis — both are normal. Staff are not in a rush. You can ask questions like "what's mellow" or "what's strong" — they'll give you a straight answer.

"If it's your first time, just say so. Nobody minds. We'd rather help you start gently than have you back ten minutes later."

Start low, go slow.

This is the single most important piece of advice in this whole guide. Everyone's tolerance is different. What's fine for a regular can be way too much for someone new. The polite, sensible thing is to take a little, wait, and decide.

With edibles especially: effects take 1 to 2 hours to fully appear. Don't take more during that window. People do, and they regret it. Drink water. Sit down. If you start feeling weird, it always — always — passes. Tell the staff if you need anything.

Things to skip.

• Alcohol. Not allowed in coffeeshops, and a bad combination anyway.
• Driving. Illegal under the influence in the Netherlands. Take the tram or walk.
• Outside the door. Please don't consume on the street — it's against the law and it bothers the neighbours.
• Photos of other guests. Always ask first. Most people don't want to be on someone's Instagram.

Where to go.

You're already on the right website, so we won't be subtle: come to us. We've been on Amsteldijk since 1989, we're 5 minutes from Amstel Station, we're friendly to first-timers, and we have a pool table downstairs.

If you'd rather wander, the city centre has dozens of options, but be aware: the centre is busier and often more transactional. Amsterdam-Zuid, Oost, and Noord all have quieter, more local spots.