Even with recent government crackdowns on cannabis coffeeshops, there are still dozens, even perhaps hundreds of places to burn while in Amsterdam. However, where do you go, which one do you make ‘your place’ and which ones are the coolest to chill in as you contemplate swirling smoke? Well these days it seems that the coffeeshop scene in Amsterdam is being taken over by brand names: Barneys, Bulldog, De Dampkring, Greenhouse, and the subject of this story: the Rokerij chain of coffeeshops.
The brand name shops are certainly a mixed blessing, but what commercialism has brought besides tacky T-shirts and souvenirs is consistency in the product, better service and some incredible places to smoke. When I’m in Amsterdam, I always frequent the Rokerij shops for quality weed and some of the trippiest places to smoke in the city.
The Rokerij started off as a single coffeeshop off of the Leidseplein in 1996 and has since then added three more. All of them are a little bit different in shape and size, but all offer the same quality Rokerij menu. No matter which of the four you frequent, you may find yourself spending hours in the dimly-lit spaces watching the world go by.
Shop number one is still the largest, and provides a dark and mysterious place to chill, away from the hustle of the Leidseplein. This shop has a Hindu/Buddhist/Nepali theme, sort of like a Silk-Road caravan stop meets the bar scene from Star Wars. Trippy lights, exotic motifs and all sorts of places for you to people watch. The original Rokerij is the only shop that is allowed to serve beer.
If you are located closer to Centraal Station, Rokerij shop number two is located close by, right on Singel canal. This coffeeshop has a different feel, self-described on their website as “Picasso goes to Africa” as you sit on small stools among Moroccan-style tables. This is a great place for a wake-n-bake as the morning sun shines right inside the glassed-in porch.
Rokerij shop number three is the most recent addition, joining in 2005. This is a fun and lively shop adorned with Hindu and Buddhist statues, blue glazed tiles and throw pillows to sit on. Shop number three is located in the Jordaan close to the Prinsengracht canal and not too far from the Anne Frank House.
Shop number four was the third Rokerij shop, opened in 1999 and is located near the Muntplein. This shop has a medieval church theme, complete with gothic arches and rosette window painted behind the bar. Although it is pretty small inside, it makes for a great nighttime smoke, before or after visiting the nearby Rembrandtsplein. Hope you don’t have vertigo, to get to the bud counter is a pretty steep decent into what they call the “bowels of hell” – if you have been in Holland before you will understand.
What I like most is that there are several to choose from, depending upon your mood, or location. The products they sell may not be the absolute best in town, but their prices and potency of their weed and hash are competitive and consistent.
In the end, sometimes you just want to have a bit of an exotic feel to your smoking, a bit of mystery. Well, whatever one you choose, the Rokerij coffeeshops provide what many of us visitors to Amsterdam coffeeshops are seeking.
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