Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory Forums

See master post here for more background info.

ID - I'm pretty obviously (it takes longer and longer to wash my face, and less time to wash my hair ) getting close to 30, do I need to worry about ID at all?
I'm aware that in some American states, they ID all alcohol purchases, should I bother taking my passport out with me? (Not been to Amsterdam for a few years, looks like they've tightened up on coffeeshop underage sales, hence the questions)

I'd carry it with you just in case..just make sure you make a copy of your passport in case something happens to it..

ok, will do, thanks. I've got a pocket that zips, then velcros on top of that, so I guess it should be safe enough

I've never been ID in the Dam before, but I've heard they are cracking down. From now on I'll carry my passport. I'm 36, but get carded very freqently Stateside.

I'm only 20 so your experience may vary, but most coffee shops are pretty strict on ID. Also, its illegal to not carry ID in the Netherlands. Keep your passport on you at all times. It will save you a lot of hassle and frustration if a shop refuses to serve you/let you in.

Leave your passport in the hotel safe.

Leave your passport in the hotel safe.

I have always carried with no issues but I make sure to have a copy in case something happens so I can go to the consulate..

I've never been asked for ID anywhere in 'dam, although I religiously carry it with me just in case.

On our first trip though, I was sitting playing cards in the greenhouse effect bar and my girl said she was gonna pop into the GHE coffeeshop for a slice of their hashcake, so I asked her to pick up some Northern Lights for me to smoke while she was in there as I was kinda low, she's very nearly 27 and I'm 24, yet she got asked for ID by the guy who had been serving us in there for days.

Moral of the story? Carry it anyway, you just never know...

I'd carry your passport with you, personally (stop it form getting lifted from your hotel room, too; hotels are jacked more often than groups of people in Dam) I'm also 28, and have been IDed in Dam many times.

They have very strict policy on underagers, and may lose their licence if they are not seen to be checking. If you do not have ID, may will turn you away anyway.

Just take it as a compliment; I know I do! The older I get, the more flattered it makes me I got IDed buying champagne in Waitrose the other week, too.....

Take your ID everywere, and enjoy being accused of looking young

It's a law in Holland that you must have original ID on you at all times. Carry your Passport and you will never have a problem.

mh

im only 22... look like im about 25-30 tho when i have my beard...

i still have yet to be carded anywhere in amsterdam.. may be just my luck.. although in canada i was buying booze when i was like 15..

i have been to almost all of the main shops/bars, most of the best clubs, best restaurants and alot of the shows/exhibits in amsterdam.. and have never been carded...i believe the only place that asked for my passport was the casino... and on top of carding me, i had to pay to get into the casino.. lol can u imagine!

i like to enjoy myself, and that means getting a wee bit fucked up... so i always left my passport in my safe at the hotel... and i just carried my canadian drivers license just incase... i would hate to ruin a trip to adam by losing ur passport...

and grrlinterupted.. what kind of hotel safes get jacked?? i would be interested to know this, as i have stayed all over the world and never ran into this problem. at the hotel's i stay at, if that happend they would be all over it and i would make sure i was very very fairly compensated...

but like everyone else has stated, better to bring your passport around with you if you think its gonna be a problem.. for me, i would rather be denied somewhere, then go back to my hotel and go back with my passport...

hope this helps!! and enjoy ur trip

for american tourists the only valid id is a passport, according to the state dept. website. never been carded, but i'll be carrying it next time

Grrl_Interrupted wrote:The older I get, the more flattered it makes me I got IDed buying champagne in Waitrose the other week, too.....

The wife went into a supermarket a few months back to grab me a pack of fags while I waited outside talking to a pal I just met and she got ID'd. She's 26 ffs

Suffice to say she walked out grinning like a cheshire cat

Anyone know if a UK (card sized) driving license would be acceptable? I'd much rather risk losing that, as I don't drive out here in Kazakhstan, but having the passpost nicked would be a PITA.

Appreciate all the responses btw...

I'm sure I've seen signs saying passport only... I was kinda doubting that was Amsterdam I had seen those signs but it must be because a UK drivers license card is acceptable as proof of age here in the UK...

Providing you keep it in a safe pocket, zip/velcro/front jean pocket or whatever you should be fine, but take a photocopy of it also, I think that would help your case at the consulate should a problem arise, you should be fine though providing you're sensible and don't whip it out for no reason...