Amsterdam & Haarlem 2025 (with photos)

[HitTheNorth]

Top stuff mate. I've not been to Haarlem since the mid 90s but really want to take a trip out this summer.

I'd freak if eek a mouse came on, love a bit of reggae and ganja smuggling is a big fave. I'd much rather hear that than the hip hop most places play. Reggae used to he all over coffeeshops, how times change eh?

[avfc-herbalist]

Wow, what can I say. Fantastic write-up @ avfc-herbalist. The photos, to go along with your story, really gives me the itch to hit up Haarlem again while in town this coming April.
Can't wait for part 2 of day 2.

AzLaker

Thanks AzLaker, really appreciate it. Part 2 shouldn’t take as long as part 1 did I hope you enjoy your return to Haarlem in April. Not far away at all now mate

Quality write up there @ avfc-herbalist - really enjoyed reading your day2 and great pics to enhance the story I liked the way you explained Birdy's with that homely feel it has got to be my favourite shop in Haarlem when I am in town and I also like that terrace out front of The Empire . Like @AzLaker said we will defo be heading to Haarlem during 420. Thanks for sharing looking forward to the next part

Thanks very much Ghost Birdy is great isn’t it, I definitely agree with you about it being the favourite Coffeeshop in Haarlem. Empire’s terrace is a lovely spot to have a blaze and people watch, even in the rain Enjoy your trip in April mate

Top stuff mate. I've not been to Haarlem since the mid 90s but really want to take a trip out this summer.

I'd freak if eek a mouse came on, love a bit of reggae and ganja smuggling is a big fave. I'd much rather hear that than the hip hop most places play. Reggae used to he all over coffeeshops, how times change eh?

Thank you HitTheNorth . Most definitely get yourself back out there during your summer trip mate. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

It was so nice to smoke a morning spliff with the bubbly sounds of a reggae baseline. Cannabis and reggae just go really well together ganja smuggling is also a fave of mine from eek a mouse. I’d say my 2nd fave from eek a mouse is wa do dem I definitely agree about the lack of reggae in Coffeeshops these days!

[Lemming]

Excellent! Love Haarlem. As you say, the tolerance policy is more tolerant in Haarlem. We really miss Nol but his influence lives on. Love Birdy and WW Indica. I even saw the original WW Workshop before it closed.

Long ago we used to always take in Theehuis and the Grote Markt but last few times I've been there we haven't got further than Birdy and WW Indica. There're still lots of Haarlem shops I've never been to so I should make more effort in future really.

[BatRadia]

Thanks for the write-up!

Haarlem looked lovely, I definately need to check it out next trip.

[colinzeal]

Nice report, thanks very much.

Only been to Haarlem once, cycled out in like 2017. Only made it to WW Indica for a few tokes, nice cs and lovely town. Would love to go back visit Birdy, Empire, the other WWs and maybe grab so,me of those takeaway and edible bargains!

[avfc-herbalist]

Excellent! Love Haarlem. As you say, the tolerance policy is more tolerant in Haarlem. We really miss Nol but his influence lives on. Love Birdy and WW Indica. I even saw the original WW Workshop before it closed.

Long ago we used to always take in Theehuis and the Grote Markt but last few times I've been there we haven't got further than Birdy and WW Indica. There're still lots of Haarlem shops I've never been to so I should make more effort in future really.

Thanks Lemming. Lovely place isn't it! Nol's influence certainly does live on. I've only just discovered that Nol was one of the leading people that set up The Dutch Experience in Stockport back in 2001 when cannabis was declassified to Class C. He also furnished the shop. Quite the man Those photos of The Workshop are great Lem, looks like it had a brilliant atmosphere.

Shame the two Coffeeshops you frequented are no longer around. Hopefully you'll get a chance to get to those other Haarlem shops in April with AzLaker & Ghost

[avfc-herbalist]

Thanks for the write-up!

Haarlem looked lovely, I definately need to check it out next trip.

I'm sure you'll love Haarlem. Thanks for the comment

Nice report, thanks very much.

Only been to Haarlem once, cycled out in like 2017. Only made it to WW Indica for a few tokes, nice cs and lovely town. Would love to go back visit Birdy, Empire, the other WWs and maybe grab so,me of those takeaway and edible bargains!

Thank you! Wow, fair play, how long did it take you to cycle to Haarlem? The edibles were delicious, I definitely recommend

[HitTheNorth]

Excellent! Love Haarlem. As you say, the tolerance policy is more tolerant in Haarlem. We really miss Nol but his influence lives on. Love Birdy and WW Indica. I even saw the original WW Workshop before it closed.

Long ago we used to always take in Theehuis and the Grote Markt but last few times I've been there we haven't got further than Birdy and WW Indica. There're still lots of Haarlem shops I've never been to so I should make more effort in future really.

Thanks Lemming. Lovely place isn't it! Nol's influence certainly does live on. I've only just discovered that Nol was one of the leading people that set up The Dutch Experience in Stockport back in 2001 when cannabis was declassified to Class C. He also furnished the shop. Quite the man Those photos of The Workshop are great Lem, looks like it had a brilliant atmosphere.

Shame the two Coffeeshops you frequented are no longer around. Hopefully you'll get a chance to get to those other Haarlem shops in April with AzLaker & Ghost

I went to the Dutch Experience while it was open. It was quite a big place, certainly by Dutch standards, and busy too. Such a shame it closed as it was a great place. I think it was part of a shopping village kind of thing that is now all abandoned. I have to admit that I was quite drunk on my one and only visit, wish I could remember more about it..

[colinzeal]

Nice report, thanks very much.

Only been to Haarlem once, cycled out in like 2017. Only made it to WW Indica for a few tokes, nice cs and lovely town. Would love to go back visit Birdy, Empire, the other WWs and maybe grab so,me of those takeaway and edible bargains!

Thank you! Wow, fair play, how long did it take you to cycle to Haarlem? The edibles were delicious, I definitely recommend

Oh it's only like 20km so took about 1.5hrs or so taking it easy on terrible rental bikes! We left Amsterdam thru Westerpark and then along what I think was called the Brettenpad? It was lovely and scenic for most of the way then a stretch of dull road as you near Haarlem.

Nice day, bumped into a crayfish crossing the cycle path at one point.

I had a terrible rental bike, made out of what I could only describe as iron girders. Awful. But anyone could tackle that cycle, just come back on train maybe? Haha, save your arse for the rest of the trip.

[Potimus]

Wonderful travelogue! Thanks for posting. I must visit Haarlem one day.

[Smokeybee21]

Great report and photos, and you are very welcome for the Greg Monsieur recommendation, how good was that toastie?!

[talkrum]

Top reporting and great photos - thanks for sharing.
Many years ago, our late friend FlyByNite, told the forum of his idea of the perfect Coffeeshop - Birdy's was his choice. I have been a regular visitor for years. Legal consumption cafes in the same style in the UK would be fantastic - I hope I live long enough to see it!

[avfc-herbalist]

I went to the Dutch Experience while it was open. It was quite a big place, certainly by Dutch standards, and busy too. Such a shame it closed as it was a great place. I think it was part of a shopping village kind of thing that is now all abandoned. I have to admit that I was quite drunk on my one and only visit, wish I could remember more about it..

That’s class HTN. As you say, such a shame it got shut down. From my reading it seems the police would not stop raiding it. Open, raided, shut down, open again, raided, shut down. Fair play to those brave people to keep on trying.

[avfc-herbalist]

Oh it's only like 20km so took about 1.5hrs or so taking it easy on terrible rental bikes! We left Amsterdam thru Westerpark and then along what I think was called the Brettenpad? It was lovely and scenic for most of the way then a stretch of dull road as you near Haarlem.

Nice day, bumped into a crayfish crossing the cycle path at one point.

I had a terrible rental bike, made out of what I could only describe as iron girders. Awful. But anyone could tackle that cycle, just come back on train maybe? Haha, save your arse for the rest of the trip.

That sounds like a nice fun journey . Plenty of joint stops along the way was there ? Bike there and train back after a Coffeeshop crawl is probably a very sensible idea.

[avfc-herbalist]

Wonderful travelogue! Thanks for posting. I must visit Haarlem one day.

Thanks for commenting. Appreciate it. Yeah, definitely get yourself to Haarlem, you won’t be disappointed

Great report and photos, and you are very welcome for the Greg Monsieur recommendation, how good was that toastie?!

Thanks Smokeybee21! The toastie was sensational to be fair mate, so much gooey cheese will definitely be back for more next time I’m in De Pijp.

Top reporting and great photos - thanks for sharing.
Many years ago, our late friend FlyByNite, told the forum of his idea of the perfect Coffeeshop - Birdy's was his choice. I have been a regular visitor for years. Legal consumption cafes in the same style in the UK would be fantastic - I hope I live long enough to see it!

Thanks for the comment talkrum. There’s something about Birdy that just feels so homely. I’m happy to know I share the same sentiment as the late great FBN!

You certainly will live long enough to see it as there are about a dozen throughout The UK already mate. Check out https://patientscann.org.uk/lounges/ to see if there’s any near you