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New Amsterdam Café
Categories: Food Specialty Food Nightlife Bars Hookah Bars Food Bakeries Specialty Food, Hookah Bars, Bakeries [Edit]
301 Hastings St WVancouver, BC V6B 1H6
Neighbourhood: Downtown
(604) 682-8955
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 10 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 10 am - 12 am
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
19 reviews for New Amsterdam Café
19 reviews in English
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Review from P G.
Vancouver, BC
4/1/2012
Espresso tasted like poop, but that wasn't why I was here.
Hours are good, the people are even better.
You will get kicked out if you refuse to buy a drink, but if you can afford the green stuff, surely you can afford a glass of coke.
I would refrain from smoking your goods in a bong, as they might think you're up to something else...but then again they probably don't care what your ass is up to. -
Review from Terri W.
2/20/2012
Well, we didn't go here for the coffee! But, my girlfriends said her's was really good.
We did end end up finding what we were looking for eventually. -
Review from Grace G.
8/11/2011
I see there are some mixed reviews re New Amsterdam, from folks in the Bay (SF and East Bay CA). My experience; I planned my trip to Vancouver to specifically spend my 420 celebration there. I spent a great deal of time in both New Amsterdam and another local smoke lounge.
First of all the laws aren't questionable here - its illegal to sell not to consume. Please Americans try not to be a "know it all" from first glance and actually talk to the locals - who by the way know their rights and are politically involved in passing laws to legalize cannabis (not by a handful of people but the majority) This was evident when all of downtown Vancouver was fired up with stoners and activists supporting and knowing their rights!
Also I keep reading these reviews and people being frustrated that they could not buy tree at New Amsterdam. What! Umm yeah your on vaca, why not have a sweet adventure - talk to people and get around you'll find it is much easier than you think - ease up on being American lazy with everything at your fingertips aha!
The biggest laugh I get is when people compare New Amsterdam to being at a cannabis club in California. Umm did you guys forget you have to "prove" yourself as a medical cannabis patient to even get into a CA club to buy or to even smoke legally. Hmm or lets compare this to the ease of getting your smoke where you can (you know the good ole ways) and bringing it back to a chill place all within a chill block - without any questions or id's being handed over - yeah thats BC! C'mon lets do the simple math here :0
I love CA its best place to be in the states, but I had to set the record straight on what smoking in BC feels compared to CA (in my opinion of course).
I hope someone agrees with me - that's American...please?!
I love you New Amsterdam you felt the way I know it can feel here in the states - if we could just relax, and fight for our rights with passion!
Blessings on your progression for legalization! I love C A N A D A :) -
Review from Frances T.
5/24/2011
I realize that the rating for this place is not the best, but you have to understand how FORTUNATE you are to have this place. I'm from San Francisco, and even in SAN FRANCISCO, something like this will not fly. Yeah, we smoke a lot of pot, but we don't get to have any "cafe's" to hang out where it is actually LEGAL to get high and enjoy it without freaking out about a smelly pig breathing on your back.
I had a great time here! It was actually THEE cherry on top of a great vacation I had in Vancouver. We met a group of super dope people here (about 10 of them) and we ended up all hanging out together at New Amsterdam Cafe.
This is what smoking should be all about. Get lifted and be carefree while having a good time. This is exactly what I got when I was here.Listed in: Zombies & Vampires
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Review from black p.
Updated - 10/5/2011
i had to change this review to a five star after having received an absolutely AWESOME PM (see below) from a mister Taylor S. of Canadia. Taylor, you're a lively one and such an eloquent speaker. i can only hope that someday our two paths cross...
"you're stupid and clearly an American. Pot is decriminalized here. We can smoke it but not anywhere whenever we want. Cops turn a blind eye to it, especially if you are in a park or on hastings street (pot central area) in a cafe. You can't sell marijuana legally here. Obviously the gov't would want a cut, but this is bc and the gov't here isnt too concerned about banking in on weed. So yes there are stores here where you can buy weed from but like anyone would tell your yankee ass. Walk right up to the counter and ask to buy weed? yea this isnt amsterdam you fuck, we live in canada not europe. I hear what you're saying about how you can shoot up in certain places. lets get one thing straight its not a heroin addict "shop" its a clinic you retard. I'd much rather have the addicts shooting up in a clinic rather than flailing around on the streets. but its not LEGAL as you put it to just go in and shoot up. they're there to help those unfortunate souls. Your comment is very american.. very ignorant. Exactly why we dont like you fucks coming over into our country. into any country for that matter. you think you can just barge in to places asking for weed and getting upset when they say they dont sell it, but other ppl are around smoking it. Read up more about vancouver and your ignorance would be diminished... well at least to one subject. Ignorance will never leave the american citizens. its what they're known for best"Listed in: the number two never felt so…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/7/2011
what i liked bout this joint:
- it's upstairs. you know, because you gotta be high when you're high.
-… Read more »
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Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
1/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is exactly what you would expect. A café with mediocre food and hot beverages full of stoners smoking weed. I'm not really a big weed smoker but have been here in the past with friends, and - let me tell you - you don't even need to smoke to get high here. The mix of different varieties and blends in the air is enough to have you stumbling out of there with a smile on your face in short order.
I tend to order the hot apple cider without whipped cream. It's way too sweet but tastes good. Like I said, the food is mediocre, but it comes to a point where everything tastes wonderful, so you probably won't mind.
Oh - no smoking before 5. Keep this in mind if you're visiting in the day.
Edited to clarify: I'm talking about MARIJUANA SMOKING. There is obviously no cigarette smoking inside this establishment. That's gross, guys. -
Review from Joe B.
9/5/2008
It's relaxing just to hang out here even if you're not a pothead. And they do have the best munchies . . . the peanut butter chocolate chip cookie was incredible. This place is a hangout to smoke your medicinal marijuana from the club next door, and the air is heady and thick with the smell of sweeter dank than I usually smell in Oakland from the random car somebody's hot-boxing in.
Pot has never agreed with me, I just don't have the right chemical makeup for it, I think, but I've always enjoyed the company of those for whom it does the trick. As soon as they figured out we weren't narcs, they let us chill out and enjoy our little time out. :-)Listed in: Vancouver for Yankees, or…
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Review from Jessica P.
9/3/2008 1 photo
Vancouver welcomed me with open arms, but I unfortunately had empty pockets for such an establishment. Eh, what could I do?
This isn't your usual hookah bar, and this isn't the place the next electoral candidate would be seen in. Those who do come here, are very chill, very cool and yet still, very functional-contrary to popular belief.
We stopped in at the lure of the New Amsterdam name (hello, does anyone else have Counting Crows in their head now?) but I was also lured in by the seductive red light district vibe it gave off.
We shared a water bottle and chocolate chip cookie. I know, not very exciting, but no one judged. I watched from afar as those in the designated smoking room enjoyed their time, and made small talk with the "water pipe" seller who was more than happy to discuss the approved means of "traffic and smoking" in such an establishment.
Coming from the Bay Area, we have a pretty lenient tolerance of the mean green. Apparently, Vancover does too. I was caught off guard on a leisurely Monday afternoon, but left with a warm feeling of progressive contentment...knowing that places like this do exist and aren't associated with criminals or frowned upon by the feds. Kudos to you, New Amsterdam.
Anybody up for a White Castle hamburger?Listed in: If Vancouver can, so can vu!
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Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
10/29/2008
When people come to Vancouver, they're usually pretty amazed at how laissez-faire the city is about pot and other street drugs. Technically, it's still illegal, but pot is socially acceptable. If you're interested in exploring the culture of pot, hookah, and other drugs, or are looking for a cool place to indulge your hard-won habits, the New Amsterdam is the place to do it.
Upon entering, I was hit with a wave of pot smoke. Since I was here to check out the herbal tobacco hookah supplies, and actually don't like the smell of marijuana, I fought a little through the initial whoa! But they have a fantastic selection of pipes and smoking accessories for both hookah and pot smoking, so I was really impressed. My favourite was a pipe shaped like the three-eyed fish from the Simpsons. Hehehe. Simpsons. There was also a crazily extensive selection of magazines on hemp and marijuana, plus hemp clothing.
The front counter staff were all really helpful and nice. There's a fee to go into the cafe, and you must supply your own, er, refreshments. The cafe was busted before, so they're super careful now. Posters of Marc Emery, leader of the Canadian Marijuana Party (yes, we have an official political party dedicated to legalizing it), are everywhere.
In the very back is a small room, the size of the average apartment washroom, filled with what they swear up and down are all legal "herbal remedies" such as powders designed to calm anxiety and hallucinogenic mushrooms. Sustainably gathered from our local mountains? Who knows?
All I know is that the gentleman minding this store was completely wasted. He had a two-second attention span, and quickly became visibly annoyed with my questions. Yeah, I know I'm a naive traveller to these burned out shores, but no need to make me feel like a total narc. Dude. -
Review from Cameron M.
Toronto, ON
1/11/2009
This gets a very very very qualified three stars. It might be confusing, reading such varied reviews, to get an impression of this place.
I will be the first to say that it definitely, absolutely is a dive. Everything people say about the weird vibes from the workers and scamming hobos is completely true. But, as with so many good things in life, that simply might be the price you have to pay.
If someone is in from out of town, bring them here. Unless they're from the real amsterdam, this is a pretty huge amusement and you can get a giggle for about an hour. What everyone writes about the food is true, it's good, so just focus on that perhaps have a toke and enjoy yourselves.
But, it will probably be about 20 minutes before you feel too gross or violated to want to stay. Lovely place to visit but I wouldn't want to be a regular. -
Review from Simon R.
BC
12/16/2008 1 photo
If the name hasn't tipped you off to the nature of this "café", the sickly smell that culminates through its entrance will. This is a weed café, serving all of its teas and food to people smoking weed at the tables, without actually selling pure marijuana itself.
The décor suits every preconceived stereotype you've ever had about people who smoke dope, including large decorative hookahs, "legalize it" stickers attached to the cash register, and big black light posters of rock stars who were probably on heroin and not pot. The people who frequent the place are people who have made smoking pot a part of their image, like people with dreadlocks, hemp clothing, and all around accessories that make real daily pot smokers feel ashamed and unfairly categorized.
The booths are comfortable, and it is kind of nice to be smoking weed inside a place of business. Sometimes live bands play on weekends, but usually the music is just all Bob Marley, all the time. -
Review from Thomas H.
8/11/2011
How the hell should I know? Additionally, I have no idea what you're talking about.
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Review from Reesa T.
8/7/2009
As someone else visiting from the US (and in response to Ken...), meh. This place was a lot cooler when I was 18 and visiting for the first time...
Its worth a visit I suppose, sit down, take it in and it you'd like to partake by all means.
But visiting now- being older (no snickers) and still partaking myself... it is dirty and the patronage is rather annoying if you ask me. Its not special though. And the staff yelled at a friend and I while we were trying to locate the bathroom, we were apparently headed into a staff-only area that WAS NOT LABELED AT ALL so they freaked out. I was like, seriously... no sign and we just need a restroom... the guy still tried to flip me attitude. We peed and left! -
Review from Luis L.
12/10/2009
Being born and raised in San Francisco I have seen my fair share of cool smoke shops and cannabis clubs. So on that note... I guess this a cool place to check out if your in Vancouver but its nothing to write home about. Their laws on the green are kind of shaky so be carefull.
Pro's- You can roll up a phatty, spark it, buy some cool hardware, and enjoy the Cafe munchies.
Con's- You can't score any Hippy Lettuce from them. So good luck finding it!
So if your in for it; wonder the streets of Vancouver, score some green, smoke it in the Cafe and walk to the record shop up the street!Listed in: Chow Time
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Review from Tai W.
1/11/2009
The only legal place to smoke in Vancouver, it is a smoke shop and cafe, the glass pieces could justly be called art and the cafe has a good selection of tea, which is all we got because it was so cold, but the baked goods looked tasty. The staff are incredibly kind and helpful, and so were most of the patrons. My only complaints were that I left reeking and that there were some "interesting" regulars that were definitely in need of medication and companionship.
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Review from Daniel K.
11/20/2009
I spent pretty much my whole trip to Vancouver in this cafe, or wandering the streets under its influence. Well we also went on some adventure through the suburbs to find the Lions Gate studios, only to find we'd gone to the wrong random suburb. Ooops.
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Review from dean c.
9/22/2008
Me and my friend made this more or less our first stop when we arrived in Vancouver years ago and almost immediately got hustled by some sketchy characters.
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Review from J M.
6/18/2009
Basically a dive bar where you can smoke weed at. Coming from California, I had to give this place 5 stars. Reminds me of the bars on the Haight in SF, only cleaner and they let you smoke. Please note that you have to bring your own chronic as they do not sell it here. I always make it a point to come here for some debauchery when I make the trip up to Whistler.
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Review from D J.
10/31/2010
Good chai tea
